1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

Hi. So I have a medium sized leak from my coolant reservoir. Fairly large puddles began forming under my car whenever I stopped it for a long period of time. I popped the hood and found the leek. My coolant container is leaking from where the hose attaches to it. It's not a leek in the hose though, but the container. My question is what should I do? Can I just use some duct tape? Or will that ignite if it's touching the container? Should I buy a new container or is there another alternative? Thanks everyone.

/Declan.

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

I'm sure someone will come along to answer soon. Is it an actual crack in the container?
I just purchased a 1990 renix not to long ago, the coolant bottle on mine since I bought it looks to be a little low (just under a third) and just today I also noticed a small leak where the lower hose connects to the overflow. It doesn't look like I've lost any fluid. How full should the overflow be and is 50/50 coolant the right stuff?

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

It's a very common issue with the xj. The expansion tank is a pressurised part of the cooling system and they often break. I've tried to repair them before without much long term success. The best solution is to buy a new one, they are usually in stock at any jeep dealer, which should tell you something.

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

i had the same problem with my old cherokee pioneer. replaced it a couple of times out of the wreckers for cheap, they're a little pricey thru the dealer...

is there any reason you couldn't get a local fab shop to weld one up out of aluminum? i can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work and it wouldn't be too heavy being aluminum...

any thoughts on that guys?

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

If would cost a fortune to have a custom tank made and it would need a sight tube on it so you could check the level.

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

you could get your hands on a heat gun with a fine tip on it and plastic weld it. if i recall correctly, they were like $100 at the dealer, and hard to find at the wreckers. good luck, let us know how you make out...

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

...could you not use a dipstick to check the level? and a good shop should be able to make one up in a couple of hours. not a bad trade imo if you have to replace the plastic tank more than once.

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

You have to remember that the tank has the pressure cap on it. If you open it with a hot engine you will end up with boiling coolant flying everywhere.

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

This will be the route that I'll take when it comes time to replace mine. Here is a pic of an aluminum tank installed on an xj and the link to where I found it. (The Two Door Experience! - Jeep Cherokee Forum )
Here is the link to the site where you can purchase the tank for 129.00$ (U.S.). (jeep radiator surge tank - Mac's Radiator Online Store).
I have read a bunch of threads where people say they had to replace the overflow more than once (trigger confirmed this with his own experiences). Not sure what a new tank from the dealer would cost but I would imagine that it would only take having to replace 2 plastic overflows to equal the cost of that aluminum tank. (Sure you could probably replace it 3,4,5 times from a JY but wouldn't you rather just do it once).

Re: 1990 Jeep cherokee XJ 4.0L manual trans. Coolant container leak.
 

Another popular option with Renix owners is to just convert to the Chrysler open cooling system. A little more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Also a great opportunity to get rid of that brittle heater control valve known for cracking and dumping all of your coolant.