if at all, how can a coolant leak or low coolant affect the A/C system?

I'm having A/C problems, but I'm also leaking coolant from somewhere.

First I thought it was from the lower side of the radiator since I looked under the car and saw the coolant dripping off. Since then I haven't seen it from there. Just after having the coolant topped off I noticed it's leaking again somewhere, but not where I originally thought. It now seems to be leaking under the headers somewhere in that area judging from the spots on the ground.

If the hoses and radiator are fine, where else could I leak coolant from?

 

So how is it affecting the a/c. There is no direct connection between the 2.

 

yea one can not affect the other they are two diffrent lines to leak from ur a/c is just acting up on its own and ur radiator is just leaking maybe from a crack in the bottem of ur radiator check for cracks on ur radiator and a/c unit check ur lines ur fuses

 

A leak near the headers would lead me to suspect the heater core hoses or the heater core it self.

 

Let me help you out on this one... cause it sounds like you are traveling down the road that I just went down.... sounds to me, that based on the age of your car... you are experiencing one of Ford's most common problems... coolant is leaking from between the block and your timing cover and leaking down around where it looks and appears to be coming from the heads... I thought the same, check that area with an inspection mirror.. very common area.....

 

could beyour intakemanifoldgasket dripping down to your headers

 

can u smell any antifreeze in the when the heat is on or fogging inside the windshield?

 

about a year ago a reputable shop found a leak after I had a different shop replace the water pump. But I cant remember if it was the timing cover gasket or not, but just remember a gasket was pinched, which was causing the leak. So maybe it's not that??

I'll have to check the intake manifold gasket.

As for the heater core, it's bypassed at the moment. Put the new one in last month, but want to have the cooling system fixed before reconnecting it.

 

i don't know why anyone hasn't said it. Pressure test it.

 

Yeap, pressure test it, but it sounds like some anti-freeze residue is coming from the evaporator drain. You sure it isn't just condensation from the a/c? Anyway. I would suspect the heater core. I have replaced mine twice over theyears.
I have since installed the police package restrictor in the hose so hopefullyit will not blow out during a 145mph top end charge any more!!