Hey everyone,

So I've been tracking down a leak on my 96 xj and I can't seem to find it. At first I thought it might be a bad trans pan seal, cause fluid was all over the pan, oil pan, and bell housing. However, today I was tinkering around I noticed 2 red droplets coming off the skid plate right under the radiator. I've read about trans cooling lines but mine seem dry. Any other suggestions? Thanks

 

Welcome to CF.

The left side of the radiator is the OEM trans cooler. You need to clean and dry that area as best you can then look for the leak. You've got two lines with rubber hoses and quick disconnect fitting with O-rings. Also the radiator is plastic and over time they can develop cracks. I just finished repairing a leak there.

Oh yeah. Make sure to keep an eye on the fluid level.

 

Check the fittings at the radiator one could leaking .

 

Thanks so much for this! Will try in the mornin and let ya know what I find

 

Ok so I checked out the trans cooler, all hoses seem dry. I took these photos of the area I suspect the leak, and yes I know, I need to clean all the grime off but bare with me I've had the jeep 1 week. Looks like whatever is leaking is coming down onto the track bar. Front driver side. Doesn't seem like oil, reddish fluid. Maybe power steering? What y'all think? Pictures I took are from underneath, and each side. In close up you can see the droplett.

 

It could be power steering. People still use tranny fluid in power steering units right?

 

yeah I'll been researching on that. I'm pretty sure that's where it is. Gunna take the airbox off this weekend and try to figure out if it's the pump or the hoses

 

Found it! I posted pictured of where its leaking from because I'm unsure of what hose this is. I took the picture from where the airbox was, facing the radiator. The silver hose connection is where it's leaking from. Connects to the bottom corner of the radiator however it's not coolant that's leaking. Still either power steering or trans fluid (red). I figured I could losen those hose clamps and secure it better but with the age of the jeep id rather replace hoses as they give out. Can anyone tell me what this is?

 

That's one of the two trans lines that go to the trans cooler section of your radiator. Looks like it's been "repaired" at some point. There should have been a hose with a quick disconnect fitting on the bottom radiator fitting. Does your vehicle have another trans cooler located somewhere?

 

not that I know of. Just the one in front of the radiator
and those lines are dry. I'm Gunna take the fan shroud out and try to replace the hose and hose clamps
may be cheaper than replacing the hoses

 

Only thing that's normally in front of the radiator (on the right side) is the a/c condenser unless you also have an auxiliary trans cooler. Follow the leaking line and post where it goes.

 

Ok so I took off my airbox and electrical fan so I could gain better access to the leak. I losened the hose clamps, shoved the coupling into the hose and repositioned/ retightened the hose clamps and whala! No more leak. Now it looks like this has already been "repaired" before so I'm definitely going to keep an eye on it and if the leak returns I'm just going to replace the whole trans cooler line. I would now but it's a budget build so it works ha. Thanks for all of yalls help!

 

Good going.