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| Mystery coolant leak http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=87729 |
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| Author: | lfhoward [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 12:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | Scar0 [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
My first thought is a bad radiator cap. |
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| Author: | tjkj2002 [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 11:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | lfhoward [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 3:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | Dgideon [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | tjkj2002 [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | lfhoward [ Sun Jan 21, 2018 9:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks. |
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| Author: | lfhoward [ Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | Scar0 [ Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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| Author: | Tman's KK [ Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | MarkZ28 [ Sun Sep 02, 2018 2:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mystery coolant leak |
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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