For years I've had an "oil" leak that drowns all the parts at the firewall end of the engine on the driver's side.

I am in the process of replacing the heater hose between the control valve and the block. A couple days ago it failed catastrophically with a 2 inch tear at a jelly soft area. However, I'm wondering if it may have been a much smaller hole for years previously resulting in coolant spraying all over this area.

So, the question is whether coolant when it is evaporating in a heated space may look similar to oil and be mistaken for it.

I suppose I'll know better after I replace the hose, but I was just wondering because I can't off hand determine why an oil leak might result in so much wetness in this area. It is the area below the manifold and in front of the firewall.

Bob Franklin