Been slowly losing collant. Is this where I'm losing it?

So I have been losing coolant lately, but not as much as when I had a major leak from a crack in the radiator or a bad water pump. And not enough to show(in steam) when I'm driving. I love my mechanic, but he seems to hate spring clamps and loves screw clamps, and replaced them when he did the radiator, thermo, and water pump. So in looking under the hood today, even though I have tightened this screw clamp before, I found deposits on the coolant tank and also all the way down to the top of the coil pack.



Is this where I am losing my fluid? I hate adding a quart of $25 a gallon fluid(straight G-05, no 50/50) when I have already tightened this damn thing a few times, but given the white deposits, it seems to be where I have a slow leak.

Looks like it. I'd pull the hose off and see if that nipple is cracked.

Also check the bottom. At one point both of mine were cracked.

get a loaner pressure test kit to pressurize your system.
If you get it from autozone make sure to pick up the additional 'expansion' kit to the master kit cause the actually fittings you need is in the other kit but the pump is in the master kit.

Maybe the hose is bad. Had that happen where the inner part was leaking and coming oit at the end of the hose at the braided section.

Next week when I know it'll be cold for at least a day I'll pull the hose and check the nipple and hose and clamp. Is there anywhere I can easily buy a replacement spring clamp, like autozone?

uss2defiant said:

get a loaner pressure test kit to pressurize your system.
If you get it from autozone make sure to pick up the additional 'expansion' kit to the master kit cause the actually fittings you need is in the other kit but the pump is in the master kit.

Click to expand...

I think she is pressurized, because when I take the cap off after driving for the day, she hisses.

okay. up to you.
it's hard to find small leaks without pressurizing the system with a tool.

I'd wash off the white crud from the coolant so it's clean and would know if it's leaking from that spot. I'd also move the hose clamp just to the right, closer to the barb. Hard to tell what's going on the bottom side for the hose. The hose clamp could be right at the edge of your overflow return line.

OK, I still see fluid leaking out. Last week, after sitting for over 24 hours, I removed the small return line, and there was still pressure in the system, as fluid shot out upon disconnect. I cut off 1.5 inches of hose
(the old hose had cuts in it from the holes in the screw clamp) , went over the screw clamp with a pair of pliers to make sure it was circular the whole way round, and tightened it up as much as I felt comfortable.

I'm gonna tighten it maybe a turn more, but I'm worried I'm gonna damage the nipple.

Heard great things about this stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Hylomar-HUBR...t=&hvlocphy=1028036&hvtargid=pla-569702692011

HoosierJeeper said:

Heard great things about this stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/Hylomar-HUBR...t=&hvlocphy=1028036&hvtargid=pla-569702692011

Click to expand...

How exactly does one apply it? Apply to the nipple and then let dry and then slide on return hose?

I think you just put it on and then slide the hose on. It's not like indian head shellac, it doesn't ever dry really.

HoosierJeeper said:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mop-06502018/overview/year/2005/make/jeep/model/liberty

Click to expand...

$12 for a clamp? I should back charge my mechanic for replacing them with screw clamps...

I saw this mopar coolant tank with hoses & clamps for $75: https://www.amazon.com/2002-2006-Liberty-Coolant-Recovery-Overflow/dp/B006SZIAH6/

If I buy the clamp+shipping and the sealant, I'm over halfway to the cost of a new OEM replacement. You think that I should just splurge, especially if the clamp and sealant don't work?

Yes, for sure. I think the nipple is likely damaged.

It looks like in the replacement, there are metal inserts in both the top and bottom nipples. Not sure if the one currently in her has that feature.