95 ZJ 5.2 coolant leak
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
95 ZJ 5.2 coolant leak
Hi. New to this page and need some help. Got a 95 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 5.2 in it. Last night my into center started saying coolant level low. So I added coolant and it went away. Took my wife to work this morning and notice a MASSIVE puddle of coolant on the ground on the driver side and its reading low coolant again. Coolant only leaking on driver side. Check radiator and its dry on the outside and it appears to be leaking to far back to be the radiator. Top half of engine is dry and its not giving off signs of being a head gasket. Engine is running smooth and not running hot. Heater still works fine. Starts right up everytime. And now that coolant level is low it has appeared to have stopped leakingNeed help diagnosing. Thanks in advance lol
Last edited by JakeThatOneJeepGuy; 03-27-2017 at 10:50 AM. Reason: Forgot important info
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: rural northern Illinois
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Check the water pump (front of engine), heater hoses, flushing tee, hose clamps, upper & lower rad hose, bottom of the radiator. Maybe the overflow bottle.
#4
Old fart with a wrench
It's possible the coolant reservoir is cracked. It wouldn't be the first time.
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
Do you guys think cooling system stop leak would work to temporarily patch it until I have the money to get the part?
#6
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: LAS VEGAS, NV
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
I would never recommend putting stop leak into the cooling system if you don't know where the leak is coming from. In most cases (someone is going to disagree here), it doesn't work well or clogs the system up and you have to have more work done anyway. Find the leak, then fix it right. Most band aids are exactly that, temp fixes that may or may not cost more in the end. If it's leaking that much I doubt stop leak would work anyway.
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Gotcha. Im thinking about getting a pressure test done and that way I know for sure where its coming from so I know exactly what to fix.
Trending Topics
#8
Old fart with a wrench
If it's the reservoir, a pressure test will prove nothing. However, if it isn't it'll show where it is.
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
I know. I just dont believe it to be the reservoir because of the location of the leak. After looking at it Im starting to believe its the water pump. Still gonna get a test done to be sure. Better safe than sorry kinda thing
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: pair of 99s
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My money would be on the bypass hose. If for no other reason than they are a pain in the **** to replace. Its at the front of the engine, above the water pump, underneath the a/c compressor and its related bracketry.
#11
Newbie
Thread Starter
Had a shop look at it. Its the water pump. Weep hole acting up (go figure). Buying a new one on Friday. Found a kit at autozone that includes all mounting hardware and gaskets,pulley,and fan clutch so just gonna replace it all. Should I be okay to just drive it around town the next few days even with the water pump acting up?
#12
Senior Member
Swap the short bypass hose during the water pump replacement.
Ensure the coolant level is maintained to proper levels until repaired.
Ensure the coolant level is maintained to proper levels until repaired.