lj1955

I have an 08 Grand Cherokee with 118K. Have had it for a year. Suddenly has started leaking coolant which appears to be coming from the bottom of radiator. Have tried to find source but at this time cannot. Drove it to work, 15 miles today, no leak. Drove back home this afternoon, it leaked! Am totally confused. Any thoughts?

dave1123

It's not unusual for the plastic side tanks to leak under pressure, and sometimes only under high pressure. Did you sit in a lot of traffic coming home? There is a seal under the pinch seam where the tanks mount to the core assembly and that's what leaks usually. You should have someone do a pressure test of the cooling system. All it is is a pump and gauge that goes on in place of the radiator cap and then is pumped up to just over the max pressure it's supposed to run at or until it leaks. It has to be done right or you could blow a tank right off!

lj1955

I usually have a high volume of traffic going home each day. Tonight I went out and coolant appears to be leaking from the top of the radiator in the middle. (there was steam in the front of the car as I sat at a red light) I pulled over and coolant was all over the driver side on the front of the car. Got home and could hear hissing but could not find leak as it was 9 pm. Not a lot of coolant appeared as car cools but. Is it still recommended for the pressure test or should I just get a new radiator?

dave1123

That's your call. If you're absolutely sure it's leaking, do it, but it may be a pinhole leak in a heater hose spraying on the radiator.