Unidentified source of Coolant leak

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

weborific

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Montreal
Have a mysterious coolant leak (Liberty 2010) the last few years that nobody can find. Seems to only leak below freezing. Finally took it to dealer only to pay $1300 and problem persists. They replaced the water pump (which was only 1 year old) and I had them change some hose clamps. I changed the rad cap, did a pressure test (pressure held), added a UV dye to the coolant (can't see external leak) among other things. Seems to be lots of white smoke so I suspected a head gasket. Took it to dealer again and their report says possible head gasket or warped cylinders but it also says "no exhaust gas detected in coolant". Doesn't that mean the coolant never reaches the engine before it leaks? I keep paying them to find the actual source and they tell me it "might be" this or that and it may need a new engine and not worth repairing. Also, it takes a while before I get good heat. I pressure flushed out the heater core, its' good. I believe air is getting in from somewhere. After I purge air from the system, the air is blowing scalding hot. Then, it takes a while for the air to get hot. So, it's as if air gets in and is purged while I drive. Any help is appreciated!
 
Last edited:

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
White smoke is definitely a sign of head gasket issues.
Blackstone laboratories is one way of proving if the oil test sample contains coolant/Ethylene glycol, with percentages present.
Are you having to top up the Mopar HOAT coolant or Zerex G-05? Is that the coolant you are using?
Remove all the spark plugs, take photos noting each cylinder location, & post them here. You can tell a lot from plugs burn chart conditions.
Correct spark plugs for KK Jeep is: NGK- ZFR-6F-11 Gap set at .043 inch
 

weborific

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Montreal
White smoke is definitely a sign of head gasket issues.
Blackstone laboratories is one way of proving if the oil test sample contains coolant/Ethylene glycol, with percentages present.
Are you having to top up the Mopar HOAT coolant or Zerex G-05? Is that the coolant you are using?
Remove all the spark plugs, take photos noting each cylinder location, & post them here. You can tell a lot from plugs burn chart conditions.
Correct spark plugs for KK Jeep is: NGK- ZFR-6F-11 Gap set at .043 inch
Thanks for the reply, LibertyTC! I had forgotten to mentions the random misfires. I forget which cylinder it started with, but now randomly affects cylinders 2, 4, 5 and 6. I clear the code and it's fine for a few weeks and then another misfire. I'll check again but seems when the temperature outside is above freezing, the leak is gone. The coolant I use is: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-chrysler-jeep-dodge-3-78-l-0293091p.html#srp
 

weborific

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Montreal
Thanks for the reply, LibertyTC! I had forgotten to mentions the random misfires. I forget which cylinder it started with, but now randomly affects cylinders 2, 4, 5 and 6. I clear the code and it's fine for a few weeks and then another misfire. I'll check again but seems when the temperature outside is above freezing, the leak is gone. The coolant I use is: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/...-chrysler-jeep-dodge-3-78-l-0293091p.html#srp
An added twist... The wife over-filled the coolant tank to the brim. Been meaning to go remove some to keep it below the full line, but it hasn't lost a drop of coolant in the last week. I can't see the relation. Maybe if the tank were pressurized, which it is not. Maybe it is that it was warmer out, but it's well below freezing today, but we haven't driven it today. And, yes, I know the level fluctuates. Bizarre.
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
The tank is pressurized. Cap is 16 Psi.
Remove Hoat coolant as when hot it will overflow.
There are markings on the tank for Hot & Cold.
 

Attachments

  • Reservoir Cap 16psi.jpg
    Reservoir Cap 16psi.jpg
    266.6 KB · Views: 2

weborific

New Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2015
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
Location
Montreal
The tank is pressurized. Cap is 16 Psi.
Remove Hoat coolant as when hot it will overflow.
There are markings on the tank for HThe 16 PSI cap you show is on my radiator. The cap on my plastic overflow tank is just a plastic snap-on type. The same as for the windshield fluid.
 

can

New Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2021
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I have same problem. I can not find the water leakage
Do you have any idea about the product at below link
Do you advice using this liquid???
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

You must be registered for see images attach
 

LibertyTC

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
9,081
Reaction score
1,747
Location
B.C. Canada
The last thing you want to do is use products like this, and have the HOAT cooling system gummed up.:eek:
Rent or borrow from parts store the Jeep's proper pressure testing equipment.
Pressurized properly to 15psi you will hear the air leak and locate the coolant leak/problem area.
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Hello,
I have same problem. I can not find the water leakage
Do you have any idea about the product at below link
Do you advice using this liquid???
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

You must be registered for see images attach
If you hate your Liberty, want to replace heater core, radiator etc then by all means use it LOL
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top