Eneal3111

I have an 04 Grand Cherokee that has started smoking from the radiator. After driving for a bit, very little spray on the engine compartment. It's not overheating at all, reservoir is at optimal level, no obvious leaks from hoses or cap, no dripping on ground, and water pump is only 1-2 years old. Any suggestions?

XJRed96

have you checked the coolant level in the radiator and not just the overflow? if there is a leak at the radiator when the coolant level drops it wont create a vacuum drawing in coolant from the resevoir. i'm guessing its a bad radiator. rent a pressure tester and confirm

GUARDIAN

You said smoke, but I'm assuming steam. Common radiator failure is along the seam where metal meets plastic on each end of the radiator. Probably a very small leak that only happens as the the engine heats the coolant, making it a high pressure leak. I've replaced mine twice for that reason. Get under it and look along the seams, you will probably see a small amount of coolant drip along the seam. With mine it took a while for the coolant level to drop significantly. Recently replaced it with a three row all aluminum radiator, but a two row would have been easier to install.

dave1123

Does it have a hydraulic fan? It could be a minor oil leak from it. That would be power steering fluid.

HP2

Whats it smell like?

Antifreeze is sweet smelling. Lubricants smell burnt. It also could be a foreign object like a grasshopper or bee. They have their own smell when burnt and at 200* can smolder when embedded in a radiator.