Hi, I have a small amount of mechanical knowledge but this is stumping me. I’ve noticed my 01 Cherokee Classic with 286xxx bone stock has a pretty gnarly coolant leak. If I drive in total 4 hours it will take the reservoir from full to the add line. It’s never overheated even when I first got it and it had no coolant in the reservoir. I noticed the heat was only blowing look warm found out I might have low coolant. Sure enough did. I crawled under it tonight after hearing sizzling (like evaporation) and had it run up to temp (190-210 when it has a full reservoir). On the exhaust line where it has a bolted on connection I saw smoke and could see coolant running down the pipe from the engine bay. I’ve checked the oil it needs a change but no milkshake color or thickness. The exhaust doesn’t smell sweet. I don’t believe it’s a head gasket or cracked head, but I’m unsure. I’m taking it to my mechanic to have them lift it up as I was only laying on the ground and trying to see it. I just wanna know any other ideas on what it could be that way I don’t have to rely on my mechanic. Thanks in advanced and sorry for the long post.

 

It could be leaking from a few places and blowing back on the exhaust. Water pump, radiator, hoses, etc. Also check the line from the radiator to the overflow bottle. You really don't want to overheat a 2000 or 2001 engine, as the heads are prone to cracking and allowing coolant to weep into the valve cover area (google 0331 head).

 

[/QUOTE] I crawled under it tonight after hearing sizzling (like evaporation) and had it run up to temp (190-210 when it has a full reservoir). On the exhaust line where it has a bolted on connection I saw smoke and could see coolant running down the pipe from the engine bay.[/QUOTE]

Could you be far more specific on where this is? Exhaust line and bolted connection is rather vague

Are you talking exhaust manifold to downpipe connection? Or elsewhere the exhaust system. Driver side/passenger side? Could it be your heater core is leaking into the passenger floor board-rusty floors then leaking onto the exhaust around the crossmember??

 

I crawled under it tonight after hearing sizzling (like evaporation) and had it run up to temp (190-210 when it has a full reservoir). On the exhaust line where it has a bolted on connection I saw smoke and could see coolant running down the pipe from the engine bay.[/QUOTE]

Could you be far more specific on where this is? Exhaust line and bolted connection is rather vague

Are you talking exhaust manifold to downpipe connection? Or elsewhere the exhaust system. Driver side/passenger side? Could it be your heater core is leaking into the passenger floor board-rusty floors then leaking onto the exhaust around the crossmember??[/QUOTE]


Found out it’s one of the freeze plugs, mechanic said it’s a very slow leak. Getting it quoted to be repaired, thank you guys for your responses!