nickl

I know its tough to do through a forum but....

99 4.0l w/tough to find coolant leak, water pump just changed as well as lower rad hose, rad cap & the hose to overflow tank.

After a drive (& only after a drive) lots of coolant all down the passenger side of axle, coil spring, shock, wheel & wheel well! Nothing visible from up top & can not see at all where its coming from Even running the engine & laying underneath it shows no new drips.

All hoses (including heater) are dry to the touch as is the puke tube from the heater core...anyone had similar symptoms ever?

Thanks in advance!

ol"blue

If you have the cooling system pressure tested the mysterious coolant leak should show itself.
Dan

Willys55

X2

nickl

Whats the best way to pressure check it at home...

nickl

Is it just by the on rad tester that you pump up, would the engine already being warmed up not be the same condition (under pressure)

Catmechanic

I've got an 01 Sport and the wife drives a 96 Country, both had coolant leaks that were hard to find. Pulled the radiators to have them checked, replaced both and no more leaks. The radiators are packed in so tight it's hard to see if they're leaking.

Best price I found was O'Reilly Auto Parts. $130

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...kee&vi=1180325

Jim S

nickl

Thanks catmechanic I'll look closely @the rad-as you say its packed in there esp w/AC!

littleredXJ

May be residual coolant from when you did all the cooling system maintenance. Coolant that pooled up in the bumper and body panels near the radiator drain could just be blowing out when you are driving.

lliamsdad

^^ yeah good thinking. Does it overheat?

nickl

Interesting thought....no no overheating at all, temp is great.

It has been a few weeks since the water pump change, but I have probably only driven 20 miles or so since...

littleredXJ

What you are describing sounds like a big leak, and big coolant leaks usually show up when you are staring at your engine idling in the driveway. When i swapped my coolant system from open to closed I had antifreeze dripping out of little crevices for awhile. The bumper, the area behind the passenger side headlight, and the rubber mat under the engine will trap a lot of fluid when it comes pouring out of the radiator drain.

nickl

Just remembering though, we just yanked off the lower rad hose (drivers side) & didn't use the drain-lol!

Will let you know what I find & all suggestions appreciated.

nickl

ran the truck for 30 mins in the garage, didn't leak a drop while stationary. I don't know whether to be happy or mad, LOL.

nickl

Hi again guys,

Finally found it, lower pass side leak in the rad where the plastic tank attaches to the core....new rad in now & no more leak! Just like Catmechanic said.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Catmechanic

Glad you found it! Kind of a pain in the butt to find isn't it? I pressure tested both of mine in the vehicles but they wouldn't leak cold or hot with a pressure tester. The guy at the radiator shop said the radiators with plastic tanks sometimes leak as they're warming up & cooling down due to the metal of the core and the plastic of the tank expanding at different rates, plus the o-ring that seals the 2 gets a bit hard with age.

Jim