2000 Cherokee engine coolant disappearing???
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Golden, CO
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
This is a similar thread so I'm not going to create a new one.
Over the last three months or so my coolant has been leaking into small, half-dollar sized puddles. On Thursday the temp went near 260o, after which I noticed the resevoir was empty. So I filled 'er up with half a gallon of generic coolant (no water). I checked it today and the resevoir is empty again. But I've seen no leaks since and engine temperature remains normal. Oil is fine, too. What's up? And how much coolant do I need?
Over the last three months or so my coolant has been leaking into small, half-dollar sized puddles. On Thursday the temp went near 260o, after which I noticed the resevoir was empty. So I filled 'er up with half a gallon of generic coolant (no water). I checked it today and the resevoir is empty again. But I've seen no leaks since and engine temperature remains normal. Oil is fine, too. What's up? And how much coolant do I need?
Last edited by Bryce; Mar 12, 2009 at 12:55 AM.
I have the same prob. but I located mine. it is the upper hose nipple on the radiator it cracked and it seeps ever so slightly and nothing ever hits the ground. I just happened to be under her after a long drive and could see there was a wet residue on the bottom of my rad.
Just went thru this filling the resovior quite often and no sign of leaks and the oil fine. One day went to the car and a lot of coolant below. The radiator had a seam leak and was small enough that with the engine heating and cooling would leak out.
No sign of it on the driveway that I noticed to one day. Pressure test and wham found the leak in the radiator seam.
No sign of it on the driveway that I noticed to one day. Pressure test and wham found the leak in the radiator seam.
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 12
From: south bend indiana
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 i six H.O.
check the rad cap too, to see if its good. mine was bad and i put a new one on and i found a pinhole on the bottom of my lower rad hose once i had pressure.
Last edited by redmuck; Mar 13, 2009 at 09:23 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Year: 1999 limited se
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl inline 4.0
i had the same problem,,,it drove me crazy for weeks,,,,
checked on everythin,,,,
finally found out tht it was on of the five water seals tht are on the driver side of the engine casing,..ull have to remove the whole manifold to reach it even the exhaust,,.takes time n i recomend tht u change all five,,,thy are round aluminum seals n thr r 2 sizes depends on ur engine modle.,, u wouldnt notice ny water cause its right under the beginin of the exhaust so it just evaporates.,,n whn u change em use high temp tested sillicon n dnt fill it up wit water till it gets tough n test it on high rpm.,,its a very nasty job n takes alot of time but its the only way..
checked on everythin,,,,
finally found out tht it was on of the five water seals tht are on the driver side of the engine casing,..ull have to remove the whole manifold to reach it even the exhaust,,.takes time n i recomend tht u change all five,,,thy are round aluminum seals n thr r 2 sizes depends on ur engine modle.,, u wouldnt notice ny water cause its right under the beginin of the exhaust so it just evaporates.,,n whn u change em use high temp tested sillicon n dnt fill it up wit water till it gets tough n test it on high rpm.,,its a very nasty job n takes alot of time but its the only way..
I have an issue with my 2001 Cherokee classic with a disappearing coolant. I have been adding coolant, about once a week but then sh*t hit the fan so to speak on my way home last week. The Jeep over heated (thankfully in my driveway) and since then I can go through an entire reservoir worth of water after about 10 miles of driving. It is not leaking onto the ground and from what I can see its not going into the oil.
Thoughts?!
Thoughts?!
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have an issue with my 2001 Cherokee classic with a disappearing coolant. I have been adding coolant, about once a week but then sh*t hit the fan so to speak on my way home last week. The Jeep over heated (thankfully in my driveway) and since then I can go through an entire reservoir worth of water after about 10 miles of driving. It is not leaking onto the ground and from what I can see its not going into the oil.
Thoughts?!
Thoughts?!
Good luck!
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I have an issue with my 2001 Cherokee classic with a disappearing coolant. I have been adding coolant, about once a week but then sh*t hit the fan so to speak on my way home last week. The Jeep over heated (thankfully in my driveway) and since then I can go through an entire reservoir worth of water after about 10 miles of driving. It is not leaking onto the ground and from what I can see its not going into the oil.
Thoughts?!
Thoughts?!
However, to answer your question... this is the most typical symptom of a cracked cylinder head. Unfortunately, 2000 and 2001's are notorious for this. I recommend getting it to a reputable engine shop asap. Good luck!
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