k4ylr

Well, got to work this morning. Noticed my steering linkage and tires looked awfully shiny for not having gone through any water and low and behold there's coolant EVERYWHERE. The overflow tank is nearly empty and its dripping from somewhere on the passenger side of the rad. It hasn't overheated but I also don't really know when the leak started.

I haven't been able to tear into the front end, but I'm expecting the worst. There's a pretty good leak that starts when the motor runs and continues a fair bit after its shut off.

In preparation for the end of days, what should my parts list look like while I'm tearing into the front end? I was going with the following:

• New Rad
• New hoses
• New T-Stat and Gasket just because I'll be there already
• I'm assuming new hardlines? I've never done hardlines so that's a little intimidating

If there's anything else I need to plan for please just toss it up!

Requisite photos of my sadness:

Gillette1987

Ooooh I LIKE SHINEY!!!

Seriously tho, that sucks. Had a hose rupture on me yesterday and the only thing I had on hand for a quick fix was cutting my floor mat, some c-clamps, and lots of tape. I was a half hour away from any parts store so it did the trick...

I'd check to see if your lower valve on bottom of radiator is closed all the way or damaged at all and double check all the hoses to see if they're leaking or not... I'd get some engine cleaner, hose down everything and wait for it to dry. Start it and see if you can pinpoint EXACTLY where the leak is coming from before throwing new parts in there

k4ylr

Haha the shiny is exactly what caught my eye. I'd been driving trough some rather tall brush for work so I'm thinking that it possibly happened yesterday and I snagged something as I went passed.

As far as I can tell it is leaking from the lower corner on the passenger side and its spreading all over the supports/frame. As near as I can tell both of the soft lines are in good order up top so I'll work my way down once I can limp it back to the garage

The only other lines down there appear to be the hardlines and they are rather intimidating for somebody without much mechanical experience.

belvedere

You need to find the source of the leak before you know what to buy.

If "hardlines" refers to the small-diameter steel lines going to the radiator, those are your transmission cooler lines (contain ATF, not coolant).

k4ylr

It appears to be leaking from the passenger side plastic tank/reservoir that's part of the radiator assembly.

I can make out bubbles and coolant seeping out from the top portion of that plastic reservoir.

I wish I could just patch it with some flex seal or something silly until I can order an all metal or something from DPG

xjzaped

Check your passenger side tub for coolant coming off the firewall.

DFlintstone

I'll hazard a guess you have an 87-90 and the expansion bottle needs replaced, if it's not the cap. No, you can't patch it. In and emergency you can, then run it with the cap loose. (a patch won't hold pressure long).

You always leave that about 1/2 empty so the air left can compress. (Coolant does not compress)

Could you please fill out your info? Good luck!

BlueRidgeMark

No, no, no. That's not how it's done.

First you sign on to a forum, then ask everybody what fixed their similar problem, then you buy a bunch of parts and put them on.

Then, when that doesn't fix it, you repeat the process. Several times.

Eventually, you either run out of money or patience, or sometimes, you actually fix the problem.


Troubleshooting a problem BEFORE you buy parts is for.....

Well, not most people, anyway.

01SiennaXJ

Haha... Sad but true.

djb383

<$250 in parts buys a complete/total XJ cooling system and +/-4 hrs wrenching removes/installs/refills the entire cooling system.

Unless one enjoys draining/filling the cooling system multiple times guessing at what individual part to replace, do it all at once.......especially if it's unknown when the last cooling system maintenance was done.