XJ Coolant Loss

[Snook]

Hi there

I am regularly filling the plastic coolant container that feeds the radiator up to the required level....every 2 - 3 days. Whenever I recheck it the coolant container is nearly empty again although the radiator is still full and I'm not having any overheating concerns. This has been the norm ever since I have had the jeep. I can't see any coolant leaks anywhere when the engine is run for enough time to open the thermostat etc. I noticed yesterday when I drove a short distance and turned the engine off there was a steady drip of coolant pooring onto the road. When I got home again and ran the engine....no drips or leaks. This may seem like a silly question but should the coolant bottle stay filled up to the required level all the time or is it just used as a coolant refill point and once the coolant system is pressurised, excess coolant is displaced through an over flow hose.

Would be interested in your thoughts or ideas.

Thanks

[jake]

I would check your water pump for leaking out of the little hole in the bottom.

I believe the overflow reserve is generally for expansion of the coolant and will return back into the radiator once the engine starts to cool, so it should keep a reasonably constant level.
If the radiator has lost coolant due to a leak more will flow from the bottle causing it to become empty over time (depending on the amount being lost)

I also found my bottle was filling up a bit more than usual when hot, so I replaced the radiator cap and solved my overheating problems. The old cap had lost it's spring pressure and was releasing the coolant into the overflow when it tried to pressurise, this was causing less coolant to be held in the radiator causing pinging and the engine slowly overheating after about 3/4 hr travelling on a hot day. (all good now, $19 from the dealership) You can tell if this is happening by the top radiator hose not having any pressure in it.

hope all this bullshite helps.

[hillsjeep]

The overflow bottle should remain constant if there are no leaks. Take it to a garage and get them to pressure test it. In the past I have lost coolant due to leaking radiator and leaking water pump, but neither were obvious until I pressure tested it.

[Snook]

Originally Posted by hillsjeep

The overflow bottle should remain constant if there are no leaks. Take it to a garage and get them to pressure test it. In the past I have lost coolant due to leaking radiator and leaking water pump, but neither were obvious until I pressure tested it.

Thanx for that..... I'll get the cooling system pressure tested this week......if the water pump is leaking as a rule does it necessarily mean that it needs replacing ?? i.e is their a gasket fix.

I guess it depends excactly where the pump is leaking. I generally thought that when a water pump dies you get some early warning signs such as noises etc.

[Gojeep]

If the water pump is leaking you throw it away and replace with a new one. Just get one from Repco or similar place. You can see my site if you want to change it yourself too.

[fabio]

Hey Gojeep, do you think that the repco water pumps would be just as good as the Hesco water pump that you have listed on your web site? I need a new water pump too and was wondering if it would be worth hassle of ordering one from hesco or just getting one from repco.

[mozzy]

Also if u have the standard radiator the o rings between the tanks and the core tend to leak and not always be noticeable.