Morning all,

I have a new to me 1994 ZJ, I6, 4wd. I've noticed a fluid coming from the front end after driving for ten miles or so and parking. The thermostat has been replaced recently, and there is no indication the engine is overheating.

I've been under the car with a flashlight, and I cannot figure out where the fluid is leaking. There's no fluid under the water pump or on the belts. The radiator cap is dry. The hoses/hose connections are dry, and there doesn't appear to be any fluid on the underside of the engine.

Only thing I can think of is that there is a leak on the sides of the radiator.

I don't want to replace the radiator if there's another common culprit. Has anyone run across this scenario before?

I searched the forum, but didn't find anything quite like what I'm seeing.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Look at the bottom of the radiator on the support plate and see if it's wet. Any leak from the radiator will usually accumulate there.

 

Subscribed for the WJ education.

I hope you find it soon. Good luck guy.

PeterB

 

It's probably time for a radiator. The plastic tank will crack after a million heat cycles, or the tank seals will start leaking.

 

Another thing to look for if it's trans fluid and you have the tow package. There is a aux trans cooler in front of the radiator.

 

Afternoon all:

It was indeed the radiator. New one and hoses installed, now he's a happy ZJ.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I'm glad you fixed it. That's what we're here for. It kinda gives me that warm feeling inside, lol.

 

Nice. Could you tell us what area you found the leak? I was going to guess the neck since that's what happened on my C5 but wasn't sure since it's a totally different vehicle.

 

The leak was actually on the side seems, not the neck.