2001 cherokee 4.o i have anti-freeze coming out of my radiator cap ,got a new cap and its still coming out of cap...what could it be ?

 

Is the filler neck damaged? Is it overheating and steaming out of the cap? Is the little return hose coming off the neck leaking?

 

nope ....just when it gets up to temp and thermostat opens it kicks out at the cap.

 

could it have anything to do with the head gasket?

 

Not if you are certain it is leaking out of the cap. Have you watched it leak out of the cap, or is it just wet near the cap?

 

Usually 2000-2001 years have problems with the heads, not so much the head gasket. A crack develops between the rocker arms of cylinder 3-4 and causes coolant to enter the oil. You can see if yours is cracked by removing the oil filler cap and looking straight down for any coolant, "tan lines", etc. When the radiator cap leaks its often a problem with the radiator neck or a bad cap. You might try feeling the upper radiator hose and seeing how hard it is a few hours after you turn off the engine, next morning, etc. If its rock hard, it may very well be the head gasket. If you have a 0331 factory original head and pull it off, I would put a 0331 TUPY or new head from Clearwater, etc. back on. The 0331 heads are problematic.

 

Replace your cap. There is a pressure rating to radiator caps. When the temp reaches a certain point, the "valve" (plunger actually) opens allowing coolant flow to and from overflow tank. If coolant is leaking from the cap, the seal is bad.

 

As stated, it could be the neck of the rad is cracked or the sealing surface is damaged thus causing a leak that appears to be coming from the rad cap. The rad needs to be at looked at closely, then go from there with a replacement cap.

 

Those two should have you covered.

 

What cap did you install (how many pounds)? You should have a 16lbs cap. Also make sure that it is tightening down correctly. I have had to bend the tabs on the cap to get it to tighten down correctly on every one of my XJ's.

 

Actually, u have 2 problems....obviously the leak is one and the second problem is, air is entering the cooling system each time the motor cools. Air in the cooling system will cause overheating.....re-read md21722's post.

 

It was a cracked head. 1300.00 in parts and labor for new head

 

Sounds like your head had more problems than most. Thanks for the update and glad you got it working.

 

Why would a cracked head cause coolant to leak from the radiator cap?

 

^^^^^^good question.