Uhg! Just when I though things were running fine. . . I noticed after driving only a short distance the other night that when I got out of my truck I could hear dripping from under the engine. Too dark to see at night. Next day, short drive, same dripping into my driveway - quite a bit. Took some photos.
Today I noticed my heat not working. Fan is blowing but seems cool air not hot. Strange smell after driving short distance, same dripping. This time I would also hear a high pitch screeching noise occasionally while accelerating. Then it would go away.
I fear something rather significant is happening to my truck (108K miles, 2004). If anyone can start me in the right direction as to what is going on I would really appreciate it.
If it helps -

 

definitely coolant

the video has me dis-oriented. Common coolant leak sources are the water pump/ wp gaskets and the lower rad hose spring clamp likes to rust and weaken/break

 

Check your coolant level. You probably have a leak. Water pump, radiator, radiator hose etc.

 

Thanks guys. Coolant huh? Ok. So, is this something that I can fix or is it something that I need to bring it into a shop for? Obviously there's a reason why it's spilling out all over my driveway.

Would this explain the lack of heat and the high pitch sound when I occasionally accelerate?

How dangerous is it to continually drive said vehicle while problem still exists?

And this next question is going to sound dumb and you are probably thinking - man, this guy owns a suburban and doesn't know anything. . . But where do I get coolant, how much, and where do I put it? Stupid huh? First time for everything. That's what the internet is for. Thanks in advance.

 

You should check your coolant level, as OldChevy suggested. It appears to be a large leak, based upon the pictures. I would suggest that you find what is causing the leak and not run the engine or drive the vehicle, until you do. If you run the engine or drive your vehicle without coolant you will damage the engine and the vehicle will overheat.

Without coolant in the heater core, you will not get any heat.

You can get coolant at any autoparts store in your area. This could be NAPA, O'reilly's, Autozone etc. Your local fuel station will also normally carry it, but it will be more expensive. You should get at least two 1 gallon jugs of coolant.

The full level should be at the cold mark when the vehicle is cold.

As suggested, you should check around the water pump, rad, heater line etc, to try and locate the leak. If you find you are not able to properly diagnosis the problem, you may be best to call your local auto repair shop to help you.

 

Collected some of the drippings

 

you have no heat due to the low coolant levels. The coolant is getting on your drivebelts causing them to slip and squeal.

get someone who can lead you in the right direction or take it to a shop before you overheat the engine.

 

Thanks guys. Very helpful stuff. I know it probably seems very 'easy' from you perspective but whenever something goes wrong for the first time the problem always seems worse than it may actually be. I will work on the things you suggested.

I'm sure just simply re-filling the coolant will only be a quick fix. There is obviously a reason why it is leaking so much and if I just fill it up, it's going to leak all over again. I need to find the source.

 

For the sake of your truck I'm going to be a bit blunt.

Do not drive this vehicle until you find the source of the leak and correct it, or get it towed to a shop.

Did you happen to notice with the lack of heat that the engine temp was higher than normal?

If you run that truck out of coolant your going to cook the motor then your looking at far more $$$ for a motor vs a waterpump, or a hose.

coolant can be bought at your local walsmarts or any parts store, napa, oreillys, autozone, etc...

best of luck, thats a pretty significant leak there, I just couldn't justify risking my motor driving it with it leaking like that.

 

I did not drive the truck today. I went to an auto part store looking for COOLANT and after hearing about my truck the guy suggested this (see photo).

This says Coolant Antifreeze and it is a greenish liquid. The liquid that came out of my truck was pink (see previous picture). Should I be concerned or should I just pour a gallon of this green stuff into the reservoir tank that used to be filled with pink stuff? This is getting silly. I also made an appointment to bring it into the shop but that's not til next week so if I can refil the coolant until then, maybe I can drive it to the shop rather than tow. Thanks.