Fluid on top of front bumper, appears to be coming from under the grill. Bad radiator hoses/clamps?

Last night after unloading 1/2 ton of gravel when I pulled in the garage I noticed fluid all over the top of the front bumper. It appears to be coming from under the grill and I suspect a leak in hoses/clamps on the front passenger side of the radiator. I've only noticed this one other time (last week after driving ~30 miles on the interstate, but didn't mind it much since the roads were somewhat wet from recent snowmelt), but not the other day after a quick trip to the local home depot. Truck hasn't been running hot, coolant levels seem ok, I haven't noticed any coolant burning and wasn't really able to tell the color/smell/flavor of the fluid on the bumper. I have yet to pull the grill off to really dig in, and get better pictures, but it looks like the leak is maybe coming from the hoses/clamps connected to the small pump/resevoir (?) on the front passenger side of the radiator. The radiator itself didn't appear wet and I didn't see any other wet spots inside the engine bay or along the backside of the radiator. Any hypothesis are helpful, thanks. Could it at all possibly be condensation (crazy i know) from our large temperature swings lately?

FWIW, '99 3.4L manual w/ 253k.

 

If you did not add coolant it does not look like you have a leak.

With the truck moving pretty hard to get coolant on the front of the bumper.

Did you drive through a puddle ??

 

What does it taste or smell like?

All automotive fluids have distinct tastes, bouquets and colors. (don't let the wife see you licking the bumper though. It doesn't go over well)

 

Thanks for the responses so far.

@Wyoming09 no on the puddle, roads have been dry. Think it could just be condensation? We went from about 57 - 27 yesterday, possibly just build up on the radiator dripping down? idk...

@Clearwater Bill I couldn't discern any particular (sweet) smell or taste. Though I'm thinking I may put a white sticker on the bumper to see if I can get a better sample, esp. color.

I'm just afraid of ending up sitting on the side of the road with an overheating motor on my next "supply" run or going up the hill to snowboard. :|

I'll be pulling off the grill this evening after dinner to inspect further.

 

Check for any white film in the fins or seams of the radiator.

 

Depending on just how much work you do this is where having a coolant system pressure tester can either spot the leak .

Then give you peace of mind when it holds pressure.

When driving most all coolant leaks will be pulled into the engine compartment by the fan and from driving down the road.

Giving you the smell of antifreeze hitting the manifolds about like hot brakes or clutch that one never forgets

 

You said "passenger side". The windshield fluid reservoir is on the passenger side and is known to become brittle and crack, thus leaking. Have you recently topped off the bug fluid?

 

Thanks for all the responses and ideas. Still tracking it down, but at this point I'm starting to rule out issues with cooling system (aside from possibly just needing to replace some of the old hoses/clamps) and thinking it's what @koditten suggested. Will update when I've reached a final conclusion.

 

the easiest way to confirm the wiper reservoir is leaking is pop the cap, remove the screen, look inside and it always cracks or splits at the little bend in the neck where the indicator stick slides against it. if you cant tell then fill it to the top, go watch a movie, go recheck it, if its low that's your leak.

im sure that will be it because the neck is at the top front of the bottle so when you stop it will slosh up the neck and if it has a hole, it will splash out and onto stuff before dripping down on the bumper.

if it is, dont waste money buying a new one, just wrap a little fiberglass patch around the neck to seal it up and make it good as new again. its still strong and solid but the neck has a thin spot where it bends and it splits and cracks there over time.

 

too many fade away and we never learn the rest of the story.

 

so it was the fluid res. cracked, looks like shattered, right where it bottlenecks. Covered it in G-Flex Epoxy, should take care of it. In other news currently changing valve cover gaskets, plugs, wires, throttle body & plenum gaskets, and checked the timing belt. Giving things a deep clean. Very dirty valve covers!

 

its so damn common that the reservoir neck crack like that. I think its just because when its blown in the mold, that part gets stretched and ends up being a super thin spot.

glad you got it sorted out, good luck with all the other projects