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 Post subject: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:23 am 
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My Jeep is currently in the shop for a slow coolant leak. I now have to top off the overflow tank about once a week or two. It'll go down 2 inches or more during that time. But here’s the deal:
- no visible leaks on the pavement where it’s parked
- no sign of leaking coolant from radiator cap or anywhere else
- cooling system holds pressure during pressure test
- no coolant in the oil and engine passed a head gasket test
- no oil in the coolant
- no steam in the exhaust and all spark plugs look normal and identical
- water pump dry as a bone
- no coolant smell in the cabin indicating a heater core leak
- I might smell a little coolant in the engine bay after it’s been running a while. But it’s faint.

Any ideas of what to look at next?

Does the infamous pinhole crack in the upper corner of KJ radiators happen in KK’s?

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:12 am 
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My first thought is a bad radiator cap.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 11:48 am 
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Most common issue is those "cool down" periods or "warm up" periods when the temps are between 125-175 degrees is when the leaks are most common on newer vehicles with alot of plastic in the cooling system.

Cold or at operating temps they won't leak but "in between" they will leak leaving little or no trace.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:29 pm 
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TJ, are you saying that nothing is likely broken and this is to be expected when one lives in the city and makes a lot of short trips? It didn’t used to happen but now it seems to lose more coolant per week than it did even a couple of months ago.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:39 pm 
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Carefully inspect the radiator cap and look for torn or frayed gasket. I was losing coolant and after replacing the radiator cap, no more coolant loss in nearly 9 months.

Here is a link to the correct 16 psi part from IDParts.com https://www.idparts.com/radiator-cap-li ... -2827.html

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:30 pm 
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lfhoward wrote:
TJ, are you saying that nothing is likely broken and this is to be expected when one lives in the city and makes a lot of short trips? It didn’t used to happen but now it seems to lose more coolant per week than it did even a couple of months ago.

Saying after time plastic warps and rubber gaskets(like those sealing the plastic side tanks on the radiator) harden and shrink causing leaks between hot/cold temps.


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:25 pm 
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Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:01 am 
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Got my Jeep's diagnosis. There was a problem with the impeller inside the water pump not working properly, leading to incomplete cycling of coolant and pressure build-up. When the Jeep was up to temperature, then water/coolant would exit the system slowly via the water pump's weep hole. It was slow enough that it would evaporate quickly and almost undetectably, but not bad enough to cause overheating. And coolant wouldn't exit unless the water pump was turning-- no leakage was detectable there during the pressure test. The smoking gun was wetness on the crankcase pulley just below the weep hole, after letting it run for some time.

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2008 Liberty Sport 4x4 Automatic
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Jeepin By Al 4" Lift Kit
BFG KO2’s 245/75R16
Full MOPAR skid plates
Rock Lizard Skink Super Sliders
AtTheHelm Front Recovery System & Roof Rack

M116A3 Trailer build thread: viewtopic.php?f=72&t=77997


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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:05 pm 
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Thanks for the update.
I have a bran new water pump, in a box, inside my rig as I am typing this.
At this point I'm only loosing an inch every 2-3 weeks. But I'm prepared for the inevitable.

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07 KA Light Khaki, Manual trany.
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Home made; Front Tilt Hood, Roof Rack, RAM Air, & CAI.
ESP Off Switch
Take a ride on the Trō side!

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:37 am 
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Location: Smethport, PA
Where can I find this weep hole? Is a water pump replacement something that can be done on your own? Or is it a touchy item that should be done professionally? I may have the same issue as you.

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 Post subject: Re: Mystery coolant leak
PostPosted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:04 pm 
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Water pump is easy, unless the liberty has the tow package with the mechanical fan. Still not bad if the fan nut isnt corroded to the water pump. Mine was, but the fan was showing cracks, so bought anew fan clutch and blade with the water pump. I removed the whole assembly at once. Getting to the small hidden screws to the overflow tank was the biggest pain. Its something a person with some mechanical experience can do. From what I remember, I did not have to remove and accessory brackets, just the water pump bolts. Once the shroud and overflow tank are off theres lots of room.

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