Need help finding coolant leak

[Bionic_Scorpion]

I found a small puddle of coolant under my jeep yesterday about the size of a silver dollar. It was right under where the transmission meets the motor.

Looking underneath I saw a small droplet of coolant hanging from the lowest bolt on the tranny. It looks like it came from where the tranny ties into the motor and ran down to the bolt. Here's a couple pics. I wiped it off to see if I could see it drip again before thinking of taking pictures but this is where its coming from.

Anyone know where it could be leaking from?

 

[Flivver250]

Your best bet is to pressure test the system and know with certainty. Liquid can travel from one point to another before dripping so I hate to speculate as there are multiple areas that can leak coolant from front to back. I can name a few points you rather not have it leak from, but no need to be an alarmist when it could be something as simple as a hose clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRGWU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[glowell222]

Given that location, the obvious place to check is the heater hoses going into the heater core through the firewall. But liquid leaks can be deceptive, as the liquid will follow the path of least resistance to the lowest point, and that point may be nowhere near the actual leak. How long has it been since the hoses and coolant have been replaced? How long since the radiator cap has been replaced?

Are your hood bumpers (those rubber bumpers that keep the hood from banging on the front grille) present and in good shape? If your hood is pressing down on the radiator cap, it can cause leaking there.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Your best bet is to pressure test the system and know with certainty. Liquid can travel from one point to another before dripping so I hate to speculate as there are multiple areas that can leak coolant from front to back. I can name a few points you rather not have it leak from, but no need to be an alarmist when it could be something as simple as a hose clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRGWU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Thanks, I'll see if I can rent a pressure test kit from autozone. If not I'll just buy one.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Given that location, the obvious place to check is the heater hoses going into the heater core through the firewall. But liquid leaks can be deceptive, as the liquid will follow the path of least resistance to the lowest point, and that point may be nowhere near the actual leak. How long has it been since the hoses and coolant have been replaced? How long since the radiator cap has been replaced?

Are your hood bumpers (those rubber bumpers that keep the hood from banging on the front grille) present and in good shape? If your hood is pressing down on the radiator cap, it can cause leaking there.

Thanks, thats what I was looking for, a place to start. I'll check around the hoses going into the heater core.

I bought the jeep in December, I've only had it 7 months so not sure when the coolant was last changed, hoses or cap was replaced. I planned on getting it flushed and changed before winter. Hood bumpers are fine, no problem there.

Just seems to be a very slow leak that just started. I've only seen it twice in the past week and both times in the mornings after it has sit all night. It seems to be cooling fine, the temp runs just under 210 even in this heat with the a/c full blast.

 

[Flivver250]

Look very carefully. A good light and careful observation are usually adequate. A pressure tester is one of those tools however you never regret owning. Some leaks are easy to find and obvious, others can be ellusive. As your rig is new to you and the maintenance history would always be questionable, pay close attention to all the components as you are checking it. Consider Thermocure radiator flush, it worked well for me. Belt and hoses are often replaced only after failure. To me that is a bad strategy. One thing that is often learned the hard way, the best functioning cooling system for this Jeep is made of stock components. The factory got it right.

 

[glowell222]

Thanks, thats what I was looking for, a place to start. I'll check around the hoses going into the heater core.

I bought the jeep in December, I've only had it 7 months so not sure when the coolant was last changed, hoses or cap was replaced. I planned on getting it flushed and changed before winter. Hood bumpers are fine, no problem there.

Just seems to be a very slow leak that just started. I've only seen it twice in the past week and both times in the mornings after it has sit all night. It seems to be cooling fine, the temp runs just under 210 even in this heat with the a/c full blast.

All good details-thanks. For peace of mind, you may want to consider changing the hoses as well during your coolant flush/replacement. Next time you are under the hood, check the fan to see if it is wobbly or loose in any way. Wobbly fan = new water pump. Sometimes a small leak is a symptom of the water pump getting ready to fail.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the advice. It didnt leak any last night and was dry this afternoon as well. I looked around but couldn't find the leak so I'm gonna get a pressure tester and check it that way.