My 2004 TJ four-cylinder leaks coolant only in the first five minutes of starting the engine. It seems to be that it once it gets hot the leak stops. I also get a hot coolant smell when the engine is running. The reservoir tank is not leaking but remains mostly empty. But when I fill the radiator with coolant, it drips from the very bottom of the radiator. It seems to be coming from the back of radiator however, and pooling at the bottom of the radiator before it drips out. I’m curious if this is coming from the water pump or the radiator. Any advice on which one I should replace first.
Leaking coolant
- Thread starter Pohljacob
- Start date
I do have some gunk build up in the reservoir tank. Is this coolant electrolysis? Could it be coming from a bad heater core. Please help?
Open up the radiator cap (only when the engine is cold!) and take a look at the coolant inside of the radiator. If that is gunked up, then you may have an issue, possibly a blown head gasket. (This would be a thick brown sludge.)
If you actively see it dripping, I would suspect the radiator first. Run a chemical coolant flush before changing it if possible to clear out any buildup.
Also, check the color of the engine oil on the dipstick to see if it is normal. If it is golden or a normal brown like used oil, it should be fine. But if it is cloudy or looks like sludge, you may have coolant mixing with the oil, which is a common sign of a blown head gasket.
If you actively see it dripping, I would suspect the radiator first. Run a chemical coolant flush before changing it if possible to clear out any buildup.
Also, check the color of the engine oil on the dipstick to see if it is normal. If it is golden or a normal brown like used oil, it should be fine. But if it is cloudy or looks like sludge, you may have coolant mixing with the oil, which is a common sign of a blown head gasket.
Seems like the radiator would be a good first place start then.
will do. The radiator coolant is clean. No sludge in the radiator. Only a small amount in the reservoir tank which I did clean. I did an oil change 2000 miles ago, and the oil is still golden brown. I assume that it is a crack/leak in the radiator, but wanted to make sure that it wasn’t coming from the water pump. I read that the water pump will be an obvious leak from the hole.
If you're still running your original radiator at 19 years you're on borrowed time. Plastic radiators are generally good for 12 - 14 years and then will crack and leak. Your water pump would not drip from the radiator unless it's running down the lower radiator hose.
Do you have hose clamps or constant tension clamps?
Hose clamps can easily be loose until the engine warms up and everything expands.
Check the condition of your hoses too. I just did a head gasket on an 04 WJ...heater hose had a small split under and out of sight. Neighbor's kids ran it out of coolant and overheated the engine.
-Mac
Hose clamps can easily be loose until the engine warms up and everything expands.
Check the condition of your hoses too. I just did a head gasket on an 04 WJ...heater hose had a small split under and out of sight. Neighbor's kids ran it out of coolant and overheated the engine.
-Mac
Similar threads
