Hi all.

Is it possible for the XJ to have a coolant leak from the 'intake manifold gasket'?

I ask as I think I'm losing coolant, but have no visible leak. Car drives as normal, no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, no cream on oil filler cap, no steam from exhaust. Given that I have the dreaded 0331 head, I'm planning on organising the required testing very shortly.

However, a guy who took a peek under the hood just out of interest noticed what I would describe as dried streaks of water all over the intake manifold and consequently pointed to the gasket as the culprit. He reckoned he had the same problem with a GMC Envoy once.

To be frank, I can't see where these streaks would have come from as the engine isn't ever washed, I don't drive in any deep water and it never rains here.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Ash

 

Negative. AFAIK, the manifolds are absent any coolant access. Have you checked under the tstat housing?

 

1991JeepMan - thanks for the reply.

I've visually checked everywhere I can. Nothing under the t-stat housing, water pump or radiator or around hoses (all these component are less that 2 years old). No cracks in overflow bottle either, as far as I can see. I look when the engine's cold and when running.

Never leaves a drip under the vehicle. After being steady for the 2 years I've had the Jeep, I now lose about an inch from the overflow bottle every week. Might not be much but I'm paranoid about this thing leaking. Never overheats - temp sits right under the 210 mark on the guage.

The 'dried water' on the intake is very visible though. Intrigued to know what that could be, if you're right and it's not actually from the gasket itself.

Ash

 

Cracked head or blown head gasket is the #1 cause of unexplained coolant loss.

If its blown into the combustion chamber, and the leak is small for now, the engine will burn it.

Until it gets worse, you probably won't see white smoke.

 

OP, have you ever overheated it?

 

Never overheated while I've owned it (two years). Ran like a champ from day one.

I have a feeling Firestorm might be correct, in that it could be a small leak burning the coolant.

Both the main dealer and an independent mechanic have today said "just drive it till it gets worse, then we will know what the problem is and fix it".

When I asked what this might mean long term for the bearings etc, both said there's nothing to worry about. I'm pretty sure from what you guys on here have said that this isn't correct.

Four garages tried today and NONE could offer a pressure test or test for exhaust gas in the coolant. No idea what I'm going to do.

I despair at this place sometimes. I really do.

 

I think I remember seeing on here some time ago that AutoZone carries a test strip pack for checking for combustion gasses in coolant.

Around $35 maybe?

 

X2 I've seen it. Turns some funky color when exhaust is present. Saw a guy use it on an old explorer once.

As far as long term damage, those mechs must not care about the fact that coolant contaminated oil loves to eat bearings. Look up "0331 head low oil pressure" and see what I mean.

 

Firestorm - in case you've missed it, I'm not in the US. I'm in the sandpits of Qatar. You don't get Autozone, or any place like it, round these parts.

Went to another guy (supposedly a Jeep expert). He said coolant loss in XJ's is normal. Pretty sure this ain't right.

Will keep ringing round to see if I can find a mechanic who understands the meaning of the phrase 'testing and diagnostics', as opposed to having an 'obsessive compulsive disorder' in terms of spitting the words "THIS ONE HEAD GASKET...I WILL DO FOR YOU NIIIIIICE PRICE...TAKE ME FOUR WEEK TO DO NO. 1 JOB...(INSH'ALLAH)...OK FOR YOU????" within seconds of me opening my mouth to try and explain what the problem is.

Ash

 

If you wipe your finger on the inside of the exhaust pipe, and it's slimy, it's coolant.

 

Turbo XJ - been there, done that. Exhaust is as dry as a bone. No smoke or sweet smell either.

Only losing a small amount of coolant at the moment, so maybe that's the reason I'm not getting the 'classic' signs of head gasket or cracked head.

This is the logic behind the advice given to me by the mechanics I've spoken to so far - i.e. wait until some REAL symptoms show themselves, and then we'll KNOW what the problem is, rather than trying to chase something we can't see, smell or feel.

But I ain't buying it. Surely we can TEST to try and identify the problem now, rather than just plodding on and potentially allowing things to get worse?

Apparently not in Qatar...

 

Blueboy, I didn't originally notice what country you're in.

But then again, a lot of companies are global. So I wouldn't have known whether or not you had an AutoZone or equivalent there.

 

Firestorm - fair comment.

Apparently I've now been told that there may be independent motor factors shops dotted around the deepest, darkest corners of the Industrial Area (a REAL nasty part of Doha) which might be able to do as your Autozone do and let me loan some kit for testing.

I'll probably be venturing up there tonight...