LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Coolant Leak

LOST JEEPS http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/

Coolant Leak http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=89457	Page 1 of 1

Author:	ebmtnbkr [ Sat Nov 17, 2018 9:30 pm ]
Post subject:	Coolant Leak
I've been trying to track this down for a while now. Posted about it before, but thought I had it fixed. Very, very slow coolant loss, but increasing lately. Checked for head gasket leak, but that does not seem to be the issue. No white smoke. No residual pressure. I suppose it could still be a head gasket, but would anyone be able to help given the following? Thanks! Underneath the Jeep, I can see where coolant has leaked onto the exhaust pipe and the oil filter: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9En8tj9GGvfH3cZA8 In this pic, I can see coolant stains up near the turbo, but under the heat shield: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EehpnehHWXwvmE138 Closer view of whatever the stains are on higher up: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HUNnFCAAFkvh7mMH8 Just a pic on the opposite side of the exhaust pipe from where the coolant stains are visible: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vQQV7XBCPHsHckfs8

Author:	Billybob [ Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:18 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
Have you removed the plastic reservoir to see what is happening underneath? The Coolant Level Sensor underneath is situated underneath and has a thin small black rubber grommet keeping it in place. This small grommet had a tiny tear on my 2002 Export 2.5 CRD which caused a very slow leak. Could not get another grommet so glued the sensor back with a good silicone compound. The smaller pipes coming off the plastic reservoir could also be chaffing to chassis/engine somewhere. Two day ago I suddenly got a Low Coolant message and the coolant was indeed low. Upon compressing the top radiator hose I saw a spurt of water from the 15 mm black hose coming from the coolant tank to the oil cooler. The hose had been chaffing on the engine just above the alternator pulley. I was able to cut off the last 9 inches of hose and with some minor re-routing of this hose I was able to attach it back in place neatly. I opened up the flat black plastic plug on the top of the radiator and filled up with clean water until it flowed out and refitted the plug. I now need to by some Mopar HOAT anti-freeze to get the water-HOAT ratio better.......here in SA I have to pay the price for Mopar supplies as we do not have access to all the good alternative parts suppliers as USA owners have!

Author:	papaindigo [ Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:25 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
Just get some UV dye for the coolant and a UV light (Amazon or local parts store) for like $25. Add dye to coolant; drive for a few days; park in a shady area (garage ideal or after dark); use UV light to look for leak. Billybob has good suggestions but coolant can blow anywhere. Could be bad OEM spring clamp, on any coolant hose on that side of the engine. I once had a bad OEM clamp from factory (not CRD) cause a slow leak.

Author:	CGman [ Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
I've had a long term leak that has been worsening as it gets colder. Due to the cold I was able to spot the steam and then the coolant drips going down a heat shield and dripping onto the oil cooler. Anyone have any idea where this is coming from before I start removing all the RH side engine accessories to get a better view? EDIT 1: took the top cover off the engine and it appears the leak may be coming from the thermostat housing to block interface...is there a history of this gasket failing?

Author:	danruesch [ Mon Nov 19, 2018 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
Mine started like that in July. Eventually it got worse to the point it was noticably being pushed out of the reservoir. It was the head gasket, just took awhile for it to get bad enough to locate. I've got a long thread on my trouble, hopefully I will get the Jeep back this week. Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Author:	DarbyWalters [ Wed Nov 21, 2018 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
Check all your hoes clamps. The stock type that you squeeze together to widen when installing become weak and will leak under pressure. Run a pressure test and you will find a weak hose clamp if that is the problem.

Author:	GordnadoCRD [ Thu Nov 22, 2018 1:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
The stains you refer to as coolant look odd to me; not like coolant I'm familiar with. To me they look more like rain/mud puddle splashing from the tire, then evaporating leaving the dirt behind, but I only have the pics to go by. An evaporated coolant stain will leave the colored dye behind, that will color a white cloth coolant color when used to wipe it off with the damp cloth. I can't see any trace of color in those stains at all. Looks just like dust/dirt and hard water minerals.

Author:	CGman [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 4:16 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
I'm 99% sure my leak was from a bad thermostat gasket...I'm waiting for the new gasket to arrive to say for sure, but the front thermostat bolt took practically no torque at all to loosen. Also, the last time I had the thermostat changed they installed the gasket with black liquid gasket on the engine side of the gasket. Is that the correct thing to do, or no silicone at all when installing a fiber gasket on the thermostat?

Author:	papaindigo [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
I've done several tstat installs and always used a bit or RTV black on the block side of the gasket to help hold it in place while I get the tstat and bolts started. Comments: 1. the lower back bolt is a bit of a bear to install especially as there is a hump in the exhaust manifold that makes getting to the bolt head difficult with a 3/8" socket extension. A "wobble" 3/8" extension helps or just use a 1/4" one with adapters. IIRC I also installed that bolt first by holding it in place with the extension and socket while I maneuvered the tstat into place. 2. be careful not to cross thread the bolts as they are steel going into aluminum 3. get all 4 (3 in body and 1 on bracket) bolts started before snugging them down otherwise the last bolt you try to install won't line up right. I never bothered with a torque wrench. Just run the bolts down until they bottom and give the wrench a bit more of a nudge will do.

Author:	flash7210 [ Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Coolant Leak
I prefer the gasket to not stick to the head. So I use a spray gasket adhesive on the thermostat side and a light wetting of oil on the head side. Sometimes they stick, sometimes they don’t, but they never leak.

Page 1 of 1	All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/