Leaking Antifreeze
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Leaking Antifreeze
Alright lads, let's see if we can solve my new issue.
Got a 2001 Jeep cherokee, replaced the radiator with a non-oem a few years ago after the car started overheating (blew a drain plug, took it to a mechanic). Last year, car started over heating again. Opened up the cap, saw a bunch of brown mud. Drained/flushed the radiator, filled up with new 50/50 antifreeze, car was fine. A few months later, started to overheat. Cracked the head, replaced it with new one. Took it to a reputable jeep mechanic by me, drained antifreeze and put new head on. Car was fine..again. Recently, car starts to get hot after short drives. Brown mud+liquid will squirt out of radiator neck, and will go everywhere. I have the right cap on it, even bought a new one. Flushed it again, seemed okay. A few weeks later, it does it again. Open the cap, brown mud is in there. What in the hell do I do? I'm thinking a new CSF Radiator, new hoses, and an extremely thorough flush. Car only has 100,000 miles on it, and I'm the original owner, so I've known what its gone through but no clue what couldve happen. Getting very frustrated, and so is my wallet! Thanks everyone
Got a 2001 Jeep cherokee, replaced the radiator with a non-oem a few years ago after the car started overheating (blew a drain plug, took it to a mechanic). Last year, car started over heating again. Opened up the cap, saw a bunch of brown mud. Drained/flushed the radiator, filled up with new 50/50 antifreeze, car was fine. A few months later, started to overheat. Cracked the head, replaced it with new one. Took it to a reputable jeep mechanic by me, drained antifreeze and put new head on. Car was fine..again. Recently, car starts to get hot after short drives. Brown mud+liquid will squirt out of radiator neck, and will go everywhere. I have the right cap on it, even bought a new one. Flushed it again, seemed okay. A few weeks later, it does it again. Open the cap, brown mud is in there. What in the hell do I do? I'm thinking a new CSF Radiator, new hoses, and an extremely thorough flush. Car only has 100,000 miles on it, and I'm the original owner, so I've known what its gone through but no clue what couldve happen. Getting very frustrated, and so is my wallet! Thanks everyone
#3
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes
on
767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Stop spending money on parts. Do some testing.
Start with a compression test. Also check for exhaust gases in your coolant with a coolant test kit.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7885485_test...s-coolant.html
Start with a compression test. Also check for exhaust gases in your coolant with a coolant test kit.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7885485_test...s-coolant.html
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Just to send a quick reply to all, I've already had the head(0331) and the gasket replaced, and BlueRidgeMark, its more of a leaking issue. The compression test wouldve been better if it wasn't leaking like it is. I mean it's really spweing from the radiator neck when it gets round operating temp
#6
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: fountain hills az
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0l 310,000 miles
Well if its a "leaking issue" , it could be leaking from head gasket... compression check would tell for sure. where do you think it is leaking from? what about the electric fan is it starting up? is your water temp already boiling over before the electric fan starts up? what about your engine driven fan clutch? have you checked its operation?
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
9 Posts
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Just to send a quick reply to all, I've already had the head(0331) and the gasket replaced, and BlueRidgeMark, its more of a leaking issue. The compression test wouldve been better if it wasn't leaking like it is. I mean it's really spweing from the radiator neck when it gets round operating temp
New aftermarket only as I stated. We see this all of the time on this Forum. Hardly any mechanics are familiar with this particular problem, and its solution, on the 2000-01 XJ 4.0s.
Not even Chrysler mechanics, because this happens after the warranty ran out.
Trending Topics
#8
Can you confirm the mechanic actually put the new head on and not 'reused' the old head? It would be something any non-reputable shop would do; inspect the old head, miss the crack and say its okay and put a new gasket and reinstall old head and go.
#9
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes
on
767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Just to send a quick reply to all, I've already had the head(0331) and the gasket replaced, and BlueRidgeMark, its more of a leaking issue. The compression test wouldve been better if it wasn't leaking like it is. I mean it's really spweing from the radiator neck when it gets round operating temp
When a head gasket or a head fails, it can pressurize your cooling system by allowing exhaust gases to leak into the cooling passages in the block or head. You spewing sounds exactly like a failed head (probably) or head gasket, which is why I recommend the compression and coolant tests.
The following users liked this post:
Jimmyboy (01-07-2021)
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
I actually have the old head sitting in my room on my shelf (to be honest, it looked like a cool item to keep). So it was definitely replaced, as well as the gasket, but I guess you can say that the new head he installed is 100% out of trust. As stupid as that sounds, he's one of the most reputable jeep mechanics around-runs solely on recommendation. With that said, I hope he would put on what was required to complete the job.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NJ
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2004 WJ, 1998 XJ
Model: Grand Cherokee(WJ)
Engine: 4.7 HO
I actually have the old head sitting in my room on my shelf (to be honest, it looked like a cool item to keep). So it was definitely replaced, as well as the gasket, but I guess you can say that the new head he installed is 100% out of trust. As stupid as that sounds, he's one of the most reputable jeep mechanics around-runs solely on recommendation. With that said, I hope he would put on what was required to complete the job.