Losing coolant (KJ,liberty)

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Sammyantha

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Hi, need some advice. Have a 2004 Jeep liberty on 113k that has developed an issue.

Coolant level stayed the same for the first year of ownership though didn't rise or fall depending on engine temperature either. It randomly dropped about an inch and stayed at that level for a few weeks then dropped again one day a few weeks later. The car does the same journey every day, no visible leaks, oil looks fine, no overheating or smoke etc.

Took it to a garage who did a pressure and sniff test and couldn't find anything wrong except a slightly damaged coolant tank cap so that was replaced and coolant was topped up and everything was all good for a month until today I have noticed coolant has dropped again by about another inch.

What's going on?!
 

CzarKJ

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Check the drivers side of the radiator just under the input neck for a crack/leak. Tends to leak only when hot.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 

Sammyantha

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Thanks for your response. Haven't seen any problems last couple of times we looked but I suppose it could be hard to spot! Shall keep looking.

Partner took the reservoir cap off this morning after driving to work for some reason and it hissed and the coolant did rise back up to its original level again. Is that an indication of anything? Could he have screwed anything up by removing the cap?

As you can tell I know nothing about any of this stuff but if my garage cannot find any problems then I have to try!
 
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JeepinJarhead03

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no not really, when they're at proper temp they build between 12-16 psi under the cap - so when removed while still under pressure they'll hiss, bubble, boil (due to loss of atmospheric prevention to boiling) spew, spray and all sorts of potentially hand damaging behaviors, i tend to prefer to wait for it to cool down if possible before removing the cap to avoid steam burns and such which can be rather painful
 

Sammyantha

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No more coolant appears to have vanished (yet) however we now have an awful curry/spice smell coming from the vents when the heat/air con is turned on so I am assuming heater core is busted?

Cannot find anyone local to me that is even willing to do this job, gutted if I have to get rid of it for this. :(
 

JeepinJarhead03

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that might be the potting compound on the blower motor resistor behind the glovebox starting to melt, , open the glove box (and empty it) and pull the tab that keeps the glovebox from just flopping down - its like a hinge catch, pull it towards the middle so the glovebox can flop down and there's a resistor back behind it, part number (BWD brand) RU1040 - it's been described as curry, spice, melting candle wax, melting plastic , etc sorts of smells
 

Sammyantha

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Checked it, looks fine. I'm assuming it has a curry smell because it likely has the wrong coolant in (purchased the car when it was 10 years old and not many mechanics in the UK know of HOAT so it's unlikely it's had it in it for a very long time)

Went out in it today and had steam/smell coming out the upper large dash vent with all the blowers turned off so I'm not going to be able to avoid this at all.
 

JeepinJarhead03

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yeah, that steam is not cool

in the mean time, to avoid the heater core leaking, see if you can find someone (if you dont feel comfortable doing it) to loop your heater core hoses. basically unhook both of them at the firewall and put a piece of pipe fitting , like a garden hose splicer piece, in the two hoses and clamp them to it with hose clamps.

it'll prevent fluid from circulating through your heater core and at least put the brakes on it creating a potentially big mess in the mean time
 

JeepinJarhead03

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and make sure you have a clean microfiber rag or something of the sorts in case the window fogs up while youre driving as the defroster without heat flow may not have the desired effect.. and maybe a jacket and a blanket for an emergency as the heater wont work either

but it wont leak :\
 

Sammyantha

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Thanks for the advice, the jeep is currently at my local 4x4 specialist but it is unlikely he will want to tackle this job so this would be my only solution bar pouring in some magic leak seal potion which I don't wanna do in case it messes anything else up.

Probably a stupid question but if I did this would the compressor (the air con) still work in the cabin? I am assuming it will only effect the heat?
 

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