2011 Tahoe...Clear fluid leak behind passenger side front tire

[Jason in DLH]

Have you checked the heater hoses for a leak? The clear liquid maybe a complete separate issue from the burning smell. A few years back one of my heater hoses burst while I was driving and a plume of smoke billowed out. I thought my engine was going to explode, but it was just a simple hose fix.

 

[Big Mama]

So the smoke is front left and the water is on the right? Can you describe the smell? Oil smell, coolant smell (which can be kind of sweet). You’d notice the coolant issue more so when you turn the truck off.

 

[Glancing43]

Have you checked the heater hoses for a leak? The clear liquid maybe a complete separate issue from the burning smell. A few years back one of my heater hoses burst while I was driving and a plume of smoke billowed out. I thought my engine was going to explode, but it was just a simple hose fix.

That’s kind of what happened to me at a red light. Thought it was on fire. It runs fine, but smells and smokes after about 30 mins of driving. I could really smell it tonight after going up a steep hill with the heater running.
That could be it, I guess.

I suppose I’ll have to take it in and get it looked at.

 

[Jason in DLH]

If I remember correctly (it’s been a couple years) I believe the hose leaked a bit before it exploded causing intermittent smoking like you’re describing. At the time I simply couldn’t figure it out, but as soon as she blew...

 

[Big Mama]

That’s kind of what happened to me at a red light. Thought it was on fire. It runs fine, but smells and smokes after about 30 mins of driving. I could really smell it tonight after going up a steep hill with the heater running.
That could be it, I guess.

I suppose I’ll have to take it in and get it looked at.

You can check it yourself. Start it, open the hood and look on the side the smoke comes from. If you don’t see it right away let it warm up. If you still don’t see it shut it off and look again. It might be a loose clamp. If it’s a busted hose you can replace it in short order.

 

[kbuskill]

@Glancing43

Most likely culprit is the plastic "quick diaconnects" on the heater hoses at the firewall on the passenger side.

This is what they look like...


And this is what I replaced mine with...
https://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-gm-heater-core-coolant-tees/


Kind of hard to get to but worth it to never have to worry about them cracking and leaking or breaking off again...

 

[Glancing43]

Thanks for the info and suggestions. I appreciate it. Now that it’s cold and we’re running the heat instead of A/C, we can smell it inside the Tahoe BUT only after going up our steep driveway.

I’ve popped the hood as soon as I’ve turned it off and the smoke disappeared so fast, it’s hard to tell. Pretty strange.

But I definitely see it before I pop the hood behind the passenger headlight. In fact at one point, I thought it was the headlight.

Would the firewall connection rattle at high speed if failing? I’ve noticed a slight rattle in the interstate a couple of times. Seems to be close to the dash / firewall.

 

[wjburken]

Just an update, still getting a smell and about 15 seconds of minimal smoke coming out above the drivers side headlight under the hood on occasion.

But I definitely see it before I pop the hood behind the passenger headlight. In fact at one point, I thought it was the headlight.

Can you clarify which side you are seeing the smoke/steam?

 

[gooffeyguy]

Can you clarify which side you are seeing the smoke/steam?

The front side, duh!

Lol

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Glancing43]

So the smoke is front left and the water is on the right? Can you describe the smell? Oil smell, coolant smell (which can be kind of sweet). You’d notice the coolant issue more so when you turn the truck off.

Water and smoke are both on the passenger side. The smell isn’t sweet, it smells like something is burning. The smoke comes out above the passenger headlight.

Like earlier in the thread, the gentleman said the A/C drains there behind the passenger side front tire. I think just noticed that because I was looking for it.