Coolent Leak w/Off & Not w/On? Huh?
 

Heater went out last week. I drive 15 Mi/week. 1 Mi into a drive Jeep stalled
out, smoked under hood....I bought bottled water at a local store, turned over
engine,radiator took 1.5 Gal. and went 1 mile home. Very minimal dripping when
in neutral/idle. Turn off the engine and a small but steady stream commences.
Looks like it's coming from the connection point of the water pump and the
hose (that ultimately leeds to the corner bottom of the radiator directly below
the radiator cap). Can't see it too well...and it seems to be on the underside
of that point/spot.

Next day in the cold jeep poured coolent in radiator and the leak commencences
at the seemingly same location. Again, the engine is off.

1. Within the radiator does the coolent travel down (when filling) and then
go diagnoal up to the water pump via gravity (rising diagnonally via that
hose)?

2. Since the Jeep is off...is the coolent likely escaping through a leak/crack
in the hose at the connection point to the water pump? (explaing why it leaks
when cold).

3. And then when the engine is on and water pump functioning....the leak
appreciably subsides......because the water pump is functioning and taking in
coolent and circulating it?

4. And since I drive minimal miles...the water pump is getting enough coolent
to sufficiently circulate and cool the engine...but not enough to delivery to
the heater core thus explainint no heat?

Just trying to piece together this puzzle. I'm going to take the vehicel to
the shop but since none of the gauges indicate any problem....I'm thinking this
is likely due to a hose crack/hole that's not visible...and not a cracked or
leaking seal with the water pump or heater core.....

All hints and clues appreciated..

Thanks

Andrew...