xjmachine

hi , the last couple of weeks my cherokee has been running hotter than it usually does. the needle still stays right on or below 210. but it used to run cooler than that , i can smell antifreeze sometimes then sometimes it goes away. it doesnt seem to be coming from the radiator. no leaks from hoses. i can smell it inside the cab sometimes even when its off. i checked for the classic bad heater core signs. wet carpet/ fire wall. but it is all dry. any suggestions?? its driving me crazy. ive already flushed the radiator and changed the thermostat. any advice can help!!!

CrawdadSlim

Run the heater and see what happens.

Radi

Pump it up with a cooling system pressure tester while cold and look. Problem with looking for minor leaks with a hot motor is the coolant evaporates before you see it. Minor heater core leaks are good for that.

Fred/N0AZZ

If you don't have a pressure tester you can get a loner at AutoZone.

bigbadon

My 2000 4.0 had a leak I couldn't find. I suspected the crack head scenario until I replaced my water pump and the problem was solved. I never did see any coolant around pump or front of engine or any drips on garage floor.

RTorrez1

If you smell it inside the cab. Check the carpet on the front passenger side. If it feels wet you found your leak and it would more then likely be the heater core has a leak.

ZJMAX

My heater core was leaking but not enough to make the carpet wet. Drove me nuts looking for the leak and cause of the smell. I ended up seeing steam come out the center vents one morning and sure enough the heater core was leaking just not so much that it soaked everything. Inside the heater box was pretty nasty from being moist for so long that's for sure.

Max

RTorrez1

Max, You are right. If it just started or if it's not a real bad leak the carpet may not be wet yet.

Firestorm500

You might be able to run a lighted borescope into the heater box to look for coolant traces in there. Check the heater core too if you can see it. A little coolant can produce a strong smell.

xjmachine

thanks for all the info guys! i am going to rent a pressure tester from autozone this weekend, hope all goes well

1arunem

Had a similar issue recently and it was freeze plugs.