Hello all,
I am new to the forum and considering buying a 2013 Grand Cherokee with the Hemi V8. The vehicle I am looking at looks very clean and cared for, runs and sounds well. The mileage is at 33k and but I noticed after taking it for a test drive the coolant was sitting at the fill line and I could see the bottle had an off color sediment inside. After it sat for 45 min I opened the radiator cap and see a build up inside the neck. I would expect the coolant to not be perfectly clear but it is cloudy. I don't smell any ambient coolant not do I see any smoke out the exhaust. The dipstick looks like oil and clean which I would imagine the dealer changed the oil before showrooming car.

Should I be concerned? Here are pics of overflow tube and radiator neck.

Thanks in advance.

 

That's oil build up. Most likely a seeping head gasket or trans cooler leak in the rad. Stick your finger in it and let me know if it's tan or pink.

 

I did earlier and i was more tan like oil but I would like to recheck but returned the car to dealer.

 

Keep driving to another dealer.

 

I agree with Marty. It's time to look elsewhere

 

For that low of a mileage engine that coolant is a very good reason to pass on that one, be glad you checked the coolant as most would not have pulled the cap and looked inside the radiator.

 

Keep looking..... not a good sign.... also, look for the 4.0 engine.... better on gas, full of torque and they run forever. Just sayin'

RIZ

 

Thanks for the feedback. I am so bummed because everything else was a beauty. Oh well, I will keep looking. Is the 3.6L reliable? I thought I would be better with the 5.7L because it's been around and in so much.

 

The 3.6 has a oil starvation issue.

 

5.7 is supposed to be a great engine.

 

At one point the 5.7 was the only engine available in the Dodge Ram.

 

Used vehicles with "the hemi V-8" are usually pretty well trashed by the time they hit the resale market. Better to purchase new and don't drive it like you stole it.