Jeep grand cherokee coolant leak passenger side

Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Has anyone else experienced a coolant leak on the front passenger side? I don't see much missing from the reservoir but the leaks increase when I fill it up. It leaks less when the reservoir is less full.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Sounds like the heater core is leaking.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Could be the line from the radiator cap to the overflow bottle is split. Or the bottle itself is cracked. Or one of the heater hoses.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

What year jeep? There are at least two very different cooling systems on these jeeps.

I suggest a pressure test of the cooling system. If you have the pressure tank type (early type) a cracked reservoir may leak, and of course wont hold pressure,

If it is a heater core leak, the level in the reservoir probably wont make a difference unless you have run very low on coolant, but that dont sound like the case with you.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

His profile says 1996.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawsoncl

Could be the line from the radiator cap to the overflow bottle is split. Or the bottle itself is cracked. Or one of the heater hoses.

Thank you. I checked the line from the overflow into the radiator ( by the cap) and it looks ok.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black1990jeep

What year jeep? There are at least two very different cooling systems on these jeeps.

I suggest a pressure test of the cooling system. If you have the pressure tank type (early type) a cracked reservoir may leak, and of course wont hold pressure,

If it is a heater core leak, the level in the reservoir probably wont make a difference unless you have run very low on coolant, but that dont sound like the case with you.

My bad, it's 1996 XJ Sport. I wasn't specific in the original post and then got really busy with work.

The problem:

I have a leak on the passenger side under the radiator. It gets worse when I fill up the plastic reservoir tank on the passenger side. When the reservoir tank gets lower the leak get less and less. I just don't see where the leak is coming from, I just see a very, very small drip puddle. The puddle gets a little larger when I fill the reservoir.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

I've had more than a few, both Renix and later models, that leaked where the eaduator cross fins mount to the end tank or where the cross fin endplate mounts to the end tank. Hard to see in there, either the shroud blocks your view or other stuff from the front. Wrapping a piece of white paper towel around the end of a chopstick and poking it in a suspect area can tell you how high the leak is, a good flashlight can help. The coolant color stain shows up well on a piece of white paper towel. I have a blacklight flashlight that makes the coolant glow with some brands of antifreeze, which makes chasing down a leak a lot easier.
As the leak or seep releases pressure the leak slows down, but at the same time lowers the boiling point of your coolant.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8Mud

I've had more than a few, both Renix and later models, that leaked where the eaduator cross fins mount to the end tank or where the cross fin endplate mounts to the end tank. Hard to see in there, either the shroud blocks your view or other stuff from the front. Wrapping a piece of white paper towel around the end of a chopstick and poking it in a suspect area can tell you how high the leak is, a good flashlight can help. The coolant color stain shows up well on a piece of white paper towel. I have a blacklight flashlight that makes the coolant glow with some brands of antifreeze, which makes chasing down a leak a lot easier.
As the leak or seep releases pressure the leak slows down, but at the same time lowers the boiling point of your coolant.

Thank you, I will try this today.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Thank you, I looked by the drain plug and put my hand on the drain plug and it's dry but the leak comes down in that general area. Should I just start looking for a new radiator? I was about to put Bar's leak in it but before I did it, I read that it may be harmful to the heater core etc.

What is the difficulty level for radiator replacement, I also have an A/C condenser attached to the radiator (I think it's attached). Do you know how many hours a mechanic would charge in case I am unable to do it?

Thanks for your help.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by vabeachtennis

Thank you, I looked by the drain plug and put my hand on the drain plug and it's dry but the leak comes down in that general area. Should I just start looking for a new radiator? I was about to put Bar's leak in it but before I did it, I read that it may be harmful to the heater core etc.

What is the difficulty level for radiator replacement, I also have an A/C condenser attached to the radiator (I think it's attached). Do you know how many hours a mechanic would charge in case I am unable to do it?

Thanks for your help.

I don't know why I can't edit, but I want to add that when it's running I don't see it leaking but it leaks a few minutes after I turn the Jeep off.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Have you checked the tightness of the hose clamp ?Have the hoses been replaced ,recently or at all?
About a 2 hr job to replace, depending on interruptions.

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Wayne
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96XJ,4.0,AW4,D30/D44,4:10s,Detroit,4.5" lift 33,s

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Sihler

Have you checked the tightness of the hose clamp ?Have the hoses been replaced ,recently or at all?
About a 2 hr job to replace, depending on interruptions.

The hoses were replaced most likely 2017-2018. Tomorrow, I will start from the top (hoses) and then go to the bottom. My main concern when replacing is the transmission cooler connections and the condenser connection. I may not have the took for the transmission line. I will take photos of them.

Thank you for the information.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

I would recommend to have your cooling system pressure tested by a repair shop.

Re: Coolant Leak Front Passenger Side

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeep ride

I would recommend to have your cooling system pressure tested by a repair shop.

Thank you.