Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Hello All,

Quick question – I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.

I have been having leaks in the past, mostly the occasional leak from
the header tank that I put down to an intermittent blockage in the
system, and a full flush seemed to solve the problem.

However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate – about a liter of
coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
engine is running.

Also it only chucks out coolant when the engine is stopped about 60 %
of the time.

I am guessing due to the fact that it is only leaking when the system
is de pressurized that this might be a water pump seal problem? Hoses
look fine.

I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
new back axle etc…

Any knowledge, ideas etc.. would be most greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

On 2 Nov 2004 11:48:12 -0800, dmccall@gmail.com (Ankors) wrote:

>I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
>some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
>will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
>decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
>new back axle etc…

Take it to the shop of your choice and have them do a system pressure
test. Whatever the symptoms are now - they sure sound screwy - a
static pressure test should reveal the source of the leak. If there is
no obvious leak ask the tech to wiggle the water pump shaft and check
again

http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=169

I'm betting water pump. Have the guy replace any belts and old hoses
while he is in there.

John

John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

On 2 Nov 2004 11:48:12 -0800, dmccall@gmail.com (Ankors) wrote:

>I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
>some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
>will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
>decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
>new back axle etc…

Take it to the shop of your choice and have them do a system pressure
test. Whatever the symptoms are now - they sure sound screwy - a
static pressure test should reveal the source of the leak. If there is
no obvious leak ask the tech to wiggle the water pump shaft and check
again

http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=169

I'm betting water pump. Have the guy replace any belts and old hoses
while he is in there.

John

John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

On 2 Nov 2004 11:48:12 -0800, dmccall@gmail.com (Ankors) wrote:

>I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
>some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
>will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
>decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
>new back axle etc…

Take it to the shop of your choice and have them do a system pressure
test. Whatever the symptoms are now - they sure sound screwy - a
static pressure test should reveal the source of the leak. If there is
no obvious leak ask the tech to wiggle the water pump shaft and check
again

http://www.stant.com/brochure.cfm?br...ocation_id=169

I'm betting water pump. Have the guy replace any belts and old hoses
while he is in there.

John

John Davies TLCA 14732
http://home.comcast.net/~johnedavies/
'96 Lexus LX450
'00 Audi A4 1.8T quattro
Spokane WA USA

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Most engines will actually heat up a little when shut down. This extra
pressure sometimes will make a hose or waterpump leak when they do not under
normal operating conditions. It's a good indication that something is
going. Look for antifreeze stains around houses and clamps. My bet it is
the waterpump if you haven't changed it in years.

Good Luck,

Andy

"Ankors" <dmccall@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.c om...
> Hello All,
>
> Quick question - I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
> snip
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate - about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> snip

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Most engines will actually heat up a little when shut down. This extra
pressure sometimes will make a hose or waterpump leak when they do not under
normal operating conditions. It's a good indication that something is
going. Look for antifreeze stains around houses and clamps. My bet it is
the waterpump if you haven't changed it in years.

Good Luck,

Andy

"Ankors" <dmccall@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.c om...
> Hello All,
>
> Quick question - I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
> snip
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate - about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> snip

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Most engines will actually heat up a little when shut down. This extra
pressure sometimes will make a hose or waterpump leak when they do not under
normal operating conditions. It's a good indication that something is
going. Look for antifreeze stains around houses and clamps. My bet it is
the waterpump if you haven't changed it in years.

Good Luck,

Andy

"Ankors" <dmccall@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.c om...
> Hello All,
>
> Quick question - I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
> snip
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate - about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> snip

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Sounds like the water pump is breaking or broken - had the same with my
Plymouth. Water pumps have a "weep hole", and as they are near the end, will
let coolant spill out. Coolant doesn't leak while the engine is running because
the thermostat is open, and no pressure.
Art
'89 Plymouth AHB (82400-162423)
'98 XJ Black (35948-45398)
'00 XJ Black (33600-)
'04 Dodge Dakota (7-)
"I can't use what I can't abuse" - Garbage
RIP #3, GO! #29 #88

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Sounds like the water pump is breaking or broken - had the same with my
Plymouth. Water pumps have a "weep hole", and as they are near the end, will
let coolant spill out. Coolant doesn't leak while the engine is running because
the thermostat is open, and no pressure.
Art
'89 Plymouth AHB (82400-162423)
'98 XJ Black (35948-45398)
'00 XJ Black (33600-)
'04 Dodge Dakota (7-)
"I can't use what I can't abuse" - Garbage
RIP #3, GO! #29 #88

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Sounds like the water pump is breaking or broken - had the same with my
Plymouth. Water pumps have a "weep hole", and as they are near the end, will
let coolant spill out. Coolant doesn't leak while the engine is running because
the thermostat is open, and no pressure.
Art
'89 Plymouth AHB (82400-162423)
'98 XJ Black (35948-45398)
'00 XJ Black (33600-)
'04 Dodge Dakota (7-)
"I can't use what I can't abuse" - Garbage
RIP #3, GO! #29 #88

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

above replies are realistic and common.

In addition get the mechanic to add a carbon monoxide 'fluorescent dye'
to the radiator. He then will check the cooling water with 'black
light' to see if the water is fluorescent indicating the presence of
carbon monoxide from a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket can
somtimes act this way .... the pressure in the cooling system passages
at the head gasket seals the leak when the water is under pressure but
allows leakage (into the combustion chamber) when the engine cools.
This is quite common with marine engines with 'wet' exhaust systems.

So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).


In article <ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.com >, Ankors
<dmccall@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Quick question – I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
>
> I have been having leaks in the past, mostly the occasional leak from
> the header tank that I put down to an intermittent blockage in the
> system, and a full flush seemed to solve the problem.
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate – about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> Also it only chucks out coolant when the engine is stopped about 60 %
> of the time.
>
> I am guessing due to the fact that it is only leaking when the system
> is de pressurized that this might be a water pump seal problem? Hoses
> look fine.
>
> I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
> some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
> will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
> decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
> new back axle etc…
>
> Any knowledge, ideas etc.. would be most greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks to all

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

above replies are realistic and common.

In addition get the mechanic to add a carbon monoxide 'fluorescent dye'
to the radiator. He then will check the cooling water with 'black
light' to see if the water is fluorescent indicating the presence of
carbon monoxide from a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket can
somtimes act this way .... the pressure in the cooling system passages
at the head gasket seals the leak when the water is under pressure but
allows leakage (into the combustion chamber) when the engine cools.
This is quite common with marine engines with 'wet' exhaust systems.

So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).


In article <ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.com >, Ankors
<dmccall@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Quick question – I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
>
> I have been having leaks in the past, mostly the occasional leak from
> the header tank that I put down to an intermittent blockage in the
> system, and a full flush seemed to solve the problem.
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate – about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> Also it only chucks out coolant when the engine is stopped about 60 %
> of the time.
>
> I am guessing due to the fact that it is only leaking when the system
> is de pressurized that this might be a water pump seal problem? Hoses
> look fine.
>
> I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
> some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
> will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
> decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
> new back axle etc…
>
> Any knowledge, ideas etc.. would be most greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks to all

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

above replies are realistic and common.

In addition get the mechanic to add a carbon monoxide 'fluorescent dye'
to the radiator. He then will check the cooling water with 'black
light' to see if the water is fluorescent indicating the presence of
carbon monoxide from a blown head gasket. A blown head gasket can
somtimes act this way .... the pressure in the cooling system passages
at the head gasket seals the leak when the water is under pressure but
allows leakage (into the combustion chamber) when the engine cools.
This is quite common with marine engines with 'wet' exhaust systems.

So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).


In article <ce5e9249.0411021148.662a3fab@posting.google.com >, Ankors
<dmccall@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> Quick question – I have a 95 5.2L Jeep Grand Cherokee, car has been
> amazing - 210K and very little has gone wrong (other than new rotors
> far too often!). I give it a good bashing off road once in a while and
> after the most recent session it has developed a coolant leak.
>
> I have been having leaks in the past, mostly the occasional leak from
> the header tank that I put down to an intermittent blockage in the
> system, and a full flush seemed to solve the problem.
>
> However this time it seems different, the leak ONLY occurs when the
> engine is switched off after a period of running (hence the system de
> pressurized) and then it throws out at a fair rate – about a liter of
> coolant. It appears to be coming from around the water pump but it is
> difficult to see exactly where the leak is from. I drove 150 miles
> yesterday on the freeway and it never looses any coolant when the
> engine is running.
>
> Also it only chucks out coolant when the engine is stopped about 60 %
> of the time.
>
> I am guessing due to the fact that it is only leaking when the system
> is de pressurized that this might be a water pump seal problem? Hoses
> look fine.
>
> I would tackle this myself but unfortunately had all my tools stolen
> some time ago, and now also lack the space to work on the car – so
> will have to take it to some back street shop – so wanted to get a
> decent idea of what it might be, before they start trying to sell me a
> new back axle etc…
>
> Any knowledge, ideas etc.. would be most greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks to all

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Rich Hampel wrote:

> So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
> the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
> every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
> 'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).
>

That's news to me. I thought that once an engine was past break in,
things like head bolts would stay put until something blows at 200k
miles (or whatever).

Regards,

DAve

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Rich Hampel wrote:

> So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
> the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
> every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
> 'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).
>

That's news to me. I thought that once an engine was past break in,
things like head bolts would stay put until something blows at 200k
miles (or whatever).

Regards,

DAve

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Rich Hampel wrote:

> So, the real question is: when was the last time that you re-torqued
> the head bolts??? IMHO, probably should be done at 60K miles then
> every 30K thereafter, especially if yoiui're running hard and sometimes
> 'lug' the engine (low rpm and high load).
>

That's news to me. I thought that once an engine was past break in,
things like head bolts would stay put until something blows at 200k
miles (or whatever).

Regards,

DAve

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Thanks for your comments guys. Looks like a new Water pump is most likely.

I'll get them to test the system tho all the same.

Thanks again. I'll report back soon.

Re: Jeep Cherokee Coolant Leak
 

Thanks for your comments guys. Looks like a new Water pump is most likely.

I'll get them to test the system tho all the same.

Thanks again. I'll report back soon.