Leaky radiator

Eddie Greenlee

Eddie Greenlee

TJ Addict
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Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2016
Messages
2,704
Location
Mississippi
Hey y’all, hope all is well Looks like I may have a small pinhole leak in the top of my radiator. Is that something that can be repaired or should I just replace the entire radiator? 97 Jeep Wrangler, TJ 4.0.
Thanks!!

IMG_5452.jpeg
 
Time to replace the radiator. You may be able to JB Weld it or something to hold it for a while, but the pinhole leak speaks to the condition of the radiator end caps. I'm guessing the radiator is pretty old, right?

I have no experience with their radiators, but @NovakConversions offers TJ radiators.
 
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Chris said:
Time to replace the radiator. You may be able to JB Weld it or something to hold it for a while, but the pinhole leak speaks to the condition of the radiator end caps. I'm guessing the radiator is pretty old, right?

I have no experience with their radiators, but @NovakConversions offers TJ radiators.
Click to expand...

Absolutely pretty old
 
Chris

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Should I replace my entire cooling system at once?
It's a wise thing to do, yes. Let's say you buy a used Jeep Wrangler TJ with 100k plus miles on it. Well, first and foremost you have to know that as I'm writing this in 2017, your vehicle is anywhere between 20 years old (if it was made in 1997) to 11 years old (if it was made in 2006). Either way, if you have no record of the cooling system having been replaced, then you're on your stock cooling system, and even if the miles are lower, that's still a lot of time for a cooling system. Plastic and rubber wear out over time, as...
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Eddie Greenlee said:
Looks like I may have a small pinhole leak in the top of my radiator. Is that something that can be repaired or should I just replace the entire radiator?
Click to expand...
It depends on where the leak is. @John Cooper had the tanks replaced on his OEM radiator at an old school radiator shop and it's been working for him.
 
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L J said:
It depends on where the leak is. @John Cooper had the tanks replaced on his OEM radiator at an old school radiator shop and it's been working for him.
Click to expand...

Eddie Greenlee said:
Hey y’all, hope all is well Looks like I may have a small pinhole leak in the top of my radiator. Is that something that can be repaired or should I just replace the entire radiator? 97 Jeep Wrangler, TJ 4.0.
Thanks!!

View attachment 652406
Click to expand...

Eddie see if you can find a radiator repair shop.

I had the only one I trust in Chattanooga replace my top tank and its still going strong.
 
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Chris said:
Time to replace the radiator. You may be able to JB Weld it or something to hold it for a while, but the pinhole leak speaks to the condition of the radiator end caps. I'm guessing the radiator is pretty old, right?

I have no experience with their radiators, but @NovakConversions offers TJ radiators.
Click to expand...

Hey Chris, I contacted Novak and they said that they did not have radiators for four-cylinder and six cylinder TJ’s. Their focus is on V8 and much stronger engines.
 
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Eddie Greenlee said:
Hey Chris, I contacted Novak and they said that they did not have radiators for four-cylinder and six cylinder TJ’s. Their focus is on V8 and much stronger engines.
Click to expand...

I think you have your answer, Eddie. Clearly you need to V8 swap it to be able to replace the radiator...

🙂
 
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John Cooper said:
2 years ago

$125.00. Same as what I paid for my spare aftermarket radiator

That I don't know but it looks identical


You're welcome!!
Click to expand...

Well, most of the local parts stores like Napa and O’Reillys AutoZone they have about the same type radiator. I noticed the original has two rows and most everything that these parts stores have is only one row. I really don’t know where to turn so if y’all have any more advice, please let me know. I have my radiator out so my JEEP’s kind of down until I find the right one.
Thanks
Eddie
 
Eddie Greenlee said:
I noticed the original has two rows and most everything that these parts stores have is only one row.
Click to expand...

Don't focus on row count, look to see if the cores are more or less the same thickness, and that the tank size and mounting locations look to be about the same.

Also, for $1,000 I'll sell you my NIB MoPar radiator. ;)
 
Eddie Greenlee said:
Well, most of the local parts stores like Napa and O’Reillys AutoZone they have about the same type radiator. I noticed the original has two rows and most everything that these parts stores have is only one row. I really don’t know where to turn so if y’all have any more advice, please let me know. I have my radiator out so my JEEP’s kind of down until I find the right one.
Thanks
Eddie
Click to expand...

Do you have any local radiator shops? If so it's worth a shot.
 
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