Any Jeep mechanics out there? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hounddogs! · 11-20-2011, 11:19 PM

Since replacing the water pump on the 01 Grand Cherokee six weeks ago, I've been fighting a running battle with the coolant level. 6-8 times since then, I've added a qt or so to satisfy the 'low coolant' message on the info center.

It's been into a competent shop twice for pressure test/inspection. The second time, they saw a weep at the tstat. Replaced that over the weekend, symptoms are still there. Nothing in the crankcase, no white exhaust, no hydrolocking, no drips in the garage. It about has to be coming out while running.

My next step is worm gear clamps on all the hoses. Where else could I be losing coolant?

**fakerwade** · 11-21-2011, 03:48 AM

Does the windshield fog up and get a film on it with the defrost running?

hounddogs! · 11-21-2011, 09:05 AM

Can't say I've run the defroster recently. I had ruled out the heater core--no smell/drips in the interior. I'll give the defrost a shot.

hounddogs! · 11-21-2011, 01:55 PM

Defroster doesn't put anything on the windshield except hot air.

**fakerwade** · 11-21-2011, 04:56 PM

Which engine do you have?

hounddogs! · 11-21-2011, 05:25 PM

4.0 tractor motor, 154K.

**fakerwade** · 11-21-2011, 09:52 PM

I've had really small leaks drive me crazy. The best thing to do is have your repair shop do a "pressure test" on your cooling system. If they don't find anything then you can have your coolant tested for combustion gasses. Some shops don't have this equipment (I think the equipment can be bought from snap on or matco). If Gasses are found then you got a blown head gasket. If they still can't find any thing then I would seriously suspect either your overflow bottle (or hose between the radiator and bottle) has a small leak or the water pump seals are intermittently leaking while driving. Hope this helps.

hounddogs! · 11-21-2011, 11:36 PM

Pressure tests didn't find anything the first time, then the weep at the tstat, the second time. I'm going after the hoses and the water pump next.

Didn't know there was a sniffer for gases in the coolant; that's a good tip.

Thanks for the responses.

Loren

jmcleek · 11-23-2011, 03:13 PM

Is your radiator hoses kind of blown up if so may be blown head gaskit.

11-20-2011, 11:19 PM	#1
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Any Jeep mechanics out there? Since replacing the water pump on the 01 Grand Cherokee six weeks ago, I've been fighting a running battle with the coolant level. 6-8 times since then, I've added a qt or so to satisfy the 'low coolant' message on the info center. It's been into a competent shop twice for pressure test/inspection. The second time, they saw a weep at the tstat. Replaced that over the weekend, symptoms are still there. Nothing in the crankcase, no white exhaust, no hydrolocking, no drips in the garage. It about has to be coming out while running. My next step is worm gear clamps on all the hoses. Where else could I be losing coolant? __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

11-21-2011, 03:48 AM	#2
fakerwade Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lewiston, ID. Posts: 628	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Does the windshield fog up and get a film on it with the defrost running? __________________ Wade , JUST WALK AWAY, AND I'LL SPARE YOUR LIVES!!! , Build thread "TANGERINE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498570 Board Members Met: bigblock68, ol_skool_chevy ,68TT,atvpro

11-21-2011, 09:05 AM	#3
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Can't say I've run the defroster recently. I had ruled out the heater core--no smell/drips in the interior. I'll give the defrost a shot. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

11-21-2011, 01:55 PM	#4
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Defroster doesn't put anything on the windshield except hot air. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

11-21-2011, 04:56 PM	#5
fakerwade Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lewiston, ID. Posts: 628	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Which engine do you have? __________________ Wade , JUST WALK AWAY, AND I'LL SPARE YOUR LIVES!!! , Build thread "TANGERINE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498570 Board Members Met: bigblock68, ol_skool_chevy ,68TT,atvpro

11-21-2011, 05:25 PM	#6
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? 4.0 tractor motor, 154K. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

11-21-2011, 09:52 PM	#7
fakerwade Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lewiston, ID. Posts: 628	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? I've had really small leaks drive me crazy. The best thing to do is have your repair shop do a "pressure test" on your cooling system. If they don't find anything then you can have your coolant tested for combustion gasses. Some shops don't have this equipment (I think the equipment can be bought from snap on or matco). If Gasses are found then you got a blown head gasket. If they still can't find any thing then I would seriously suspect either your overflow bottle (or hose between the radiator and bottle) has a small leak or the water pump seals are intermittently leaking while driving. Hope this helps. __________________ Wade , JUST WALK AWAY, AND I'LL SPARE YOUR LIVES!!! , Build thread "TANGERINE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=498570 Board Members Met: bigblock68, ol_skool_chevy ,68TT,atvpro

11-21-2011, 11:36 PM	#8
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Pressure tests didn't find anything the first time, then the weep at the tstat, the second time. I'm going after the hoses and the water pump next. Didn't know there was a sniffer for gases in the coolant; that's a good tip. Thanks for the responses. Loren __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

11-23-2011, 03:13 PM	#9
jmcleek Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: poseyville indiana Posts: 129	Re: Any Jeep mechanics out there? Is your radiator hoses kind of blown up if so may be blown head gaskit. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/id/jmcleek

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