Losing Coolant
99 XJ w/ 4.0L 120K; Had a major service a while back checking EVERYTHING, flushed radiator, new hoses, compression test, major tune, etc. Now I am adding coolant every couple weeks. At least a quart.
No oil in the coolant, no coolant in the oil, no leaks under the engine.
Where's the coolant going?
Also recently replaced the radiator cap with the stock unit direct from the Jeep dealer.
And the truck runs great!
Any help on where to look?
Thanks
No oil in the coolant, no coolant in the oil, no leaks under the engine.
Where's the coolant going?
Also recently replaced the radiator cap with the stock unit direct from the Jeep dealer.
And the truck runs great!
Any help on where to look?
Thanks
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 60
From: Florida
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
i got a small leak myself i suspect maybe the thermostat housing or waterpump, Check where the bottom crank is and the oil pan and see if theres a little bit of coolant there. Do you notice a drip anywhere?
CF Veteran

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 9
From: NC
Year: 99 94
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: I6
Fire it up and look at
radiator
connections
radiator
underneath rad cap
water pump weep hole, underneath water pump, tube for heater core hose, rad hose connection
heater core connections at firewall, water pump tube, and t stat housing
t stat housing heater core connection, underneath t stat, t stat hose connection
look on crank pulley
Sometimes it might only leak at higher pressure, rev it up a little bit and watch
radiator
connections
radiator
underneath rad cap
water pump weep hole, underneath water pump, tube for heater core hose, rad hose connection
heater core connections at firewall, water pump tube, and t stat housing
t stat housing heater core connection, underneath t stat, t stat hose connection
look on crank pulley
Sometimes it might only leak at higher pressure, rev it up a little bit and watch
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Is there an odor of coolant in cabin? If so, the leak could be in the heater core.
If the freeze plug on rear of engine block is leaking, coolant will pool inside bell housing which hides the leak when parked.
If there is an issue with cylinder head, coolant could be entering exhaust. The ethylene-glycol will eventually foul oxygen sensors and give a CEL code. (this is the issue with my jeep, however it runs great)
If the freeze plug on rear of engine block is leaking, coolant will pool inside bell housing which hides the leak when parked.
If there is an issue with cylinder head, coolant could be entering exhaust. The ethylene-glycol will eventually foul oxygen sensors and give a CEL code. (this is the issue with my jeep, however it runs great)
Is there an odor of coolant in cabin? If so, the leak could be in the heater core.
If the freeze plug on rear of engine block is leaking, coolant will pool inside bell housing which hides the leak when parked.
If there is an issue with cylinder head, coolant could be entering exhaust. The ethylene-glycol will eventually foul oxygen sensors and give a CEL code. (this is the issue with my jeep, however it runs great)
If the freeze plug on rear of engine block is leaking, coolant will pool inside bell housing which hides the leak when parked.
If there is an issue with cylinder head, coolant could be entering exhaust. The ethylene-glycol will eventually foul oxygen sensors and give a CEL code. (this is the issue with my jeep, however it runs great)
Thanks,
I check these things. No smells in the cabin but definitely that hot engine smell up front after a drive. Looks like the thing could hide head trouble for a long time, If I got current leak-down test, wouldn't that give me a yes or no regarding serious head issues?
I check these things. No smells in the cabin but definitely that hot engine smell up front after a drive. Looks like the thing could hide head trouble for a long time, If I got current leak-down test, wouldn't that give me a yes or no regarding serious head issues?
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Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks,
I check these things. No smells in the cabin but definitely that hot engine smell up front after a drive. Looks like the thing could hide head trouble for a long time, If I got current leak-down test, wouldn't that give me a yes or no regarding serious head issues?
I check these things. No smells in the cabin but definitely that hot engine smell up front after a drive. Looks like the thing could hide head trouble for a long time, If I got current leak-down test, wouldn't that give me a yes or no regarding serious head issues?
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