Coolant Leak

[scatlin]

Bought a 1998 Sport 4.0 Manual on Sunday from a friend. You might have seen my post asking about what to look for on Saturday. On the way home, it sprung a really exciting coolant leak. I was throwing out a massive smoke screen like the kind those WWII landing craft used! Impressive.

Turns out one of the freeze plugs decided it didn't like being a part of the engine block anymore. Good news is that I noticed it before any over heating occurred. Fingers crossed...

I ordered the following parts so I can dig in this weekend:

• Brass freeze plug kit
• Intake/exhaust gasket
• Hardware kit for the intake/exhaust manifold

I'm prepping for it by soaking the existing, somewhat rusty bolts in penetrant hoping I don't break anything off in the head.

Anything else I should have on hand or consider replacing while I'm in there?

Thanks.

 

[macleanflood]

Thermocure flush the entire system.

I'd test the antifreeze and make sure it's antifreeze. Freeze plugs rust out and freeze plugs freeze out.

For reference...

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Jan 23, 2017

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...

• Chris
• Replies: 331
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

Good news, you've already got a name for your Jeep...Smoke Show... =)

-Mac

 

[scatlin]

Thermocure flush the entire system.

I'd test the antifreeze and make sure it's antifreeze. Freeze plugs rust out and freeze plugs freeze out.

For reference...

Thread 'Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ'

Jan 23, 2017

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...

• Chris
• Replies: 331
• Forum: TJ Resources

• 

Good news, you've already got a name for your Jeep...Smoke Show... =)

-Mac

Thanks, Mac. When I looked it over Sunday, the coolant was brown. I was planning to flush the system anyway, but the freeze plug decided to get started on that job early.

Smoke Show... I like it. But, depending on how things go this weekend, I might end up calling her The Anti Christ.

-Scot

 

[KennethS]

Good news is that I noticed it before any over heating occurred. Fingers crossed...

I suspect you'll be OK. Several years ago the original radiator split the plastic top tank from the hose to the cap while the wife was on the interstate. I told her to keep driving to the next off-ramp (get off the interstate as too many collisions happen to folks on the shoulder), and the engine was so hot it died as she was on the ramp. Towed it home, replaced the radiator, and no damage - been running fine for many years since then.

 

[scatlin]

I suspect you'll be OK. Several years ago the original radiator split the plastic top tank from the hose to the cap while the wife was on the interstate. I told her to keep driving to the next off-ramp (get off the interstate as too many collisions happen to folks on the shoulder), and the engine was so hot it died as she was on the ramp. Towed it home, replaced the radiator, and no damage - been running fine for many years since then.

Awesome. Gotta' love that inline 6 reliability!

 

[SPECWAR]

I’m telling you if you don’t already know, these TJ’s have a soul and she was just letting you know that the cooling system needed attention.

 

[DuckNut]

She is also trying to show you who is the boss of the garage!