My engine is leaking coolant?

Tiny
HOBBS922
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,000 MILES
I got in my car and my system notified me that I was low on coolant, I popped the hood added some antifreeze since it was low and got back in my car but the system still said I was low. I got back out and noticed that my car is leeking coolant and from the steady drip it must have been leeking for at least a few days for the coolant to be so low, but my car has never overheated. Any idea where I should start looking or what the most likely problem is?
Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 9:15 AM

42 Replies

Tiny
TGFISHEL
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
First you need to find out where its leaking from get back with me. after you find the problem. check hoses, radiator, drain plugs, water pump, coolant temperature switch , heater core also try getting new radiator cap. These guides can help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-leak-symptoms

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
HOBBS922
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  • 3 POSTS
I got under my car after I posted and from what I can tell it is not my radiator because I have a shield cover undeneath the radiator and it isn't wet anywhere around there. Its not the hose running from the reserve tank to the radiator either.

I can't see the water pump as it is behind all of the cranks for my timing belt, however I do think it is the water pump, since when I am underneath the car the fluid seems to be dripping down from along the very front of the motor. Is there anyway to confirm it is the water pump without taking off the timing belt?
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 11:05 PM
Tiny
TGFISHEL
  • MEMBER
  • 52 POSTS
Hi, I think the belt your looking at is your serpentine drivebelt , anyway you need to get down and look from the bottom of your waterpump for the weep hole to see if that is where coolant is leaking, you may need to use a flashlite to help see better if you dont have a repair manual now is the time to get one, it will show you how to check the water pump to see if its bad . I got mine from autozone for about 20$ not to bad. Its also got tons of other infor. Dont forget to use the site menu to left of the page. Hope this helps get back with me and let me know.
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Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 AT 9:05 PM
Tiny
ROSKOHALL2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
Hello.I don't know anything about cars. However, for the past two months my car has been leaking coolant all over Savannah, GA. Now it has this awful squeaking sound that sounds like a belt is going to pop or something. The sound just started yesterday. I have to fill up the coolant everyday in order to drive it somewhere. Last oil change I had they told me I had a leak in my water pump. I would like to know if that's the main problem? And what the squeaking could be, also how much would a water pump cost? Thank you for your time. Roscoe Hall II
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Well Roscoe sounds like the bearing on the water pump is fried. Time to chenge it. My advice Get a NEW not rebuilt pump. The belt squeal is telling you the pump is about to come apart!
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDY87
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Definately the water pump bearing, same exact thing happened to me last week. Save the money in coolant and replace the water pump. Four bolts on the fan, pull it out, and pull off the belt. That will give you plenty of room to get ahold of the pump.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KATMEG99
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
For the past few months my car has been leaking coolant, which has to be completely refilled every 8 days. I don't have any puddles under my car when I leave every morning so I'm confused as to where the leak is. Any ideas for locating the leak and for repairing it without spending the customary $1,000 per repair this car has always required?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDY87
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
1000 dollar repair, feel under the water pump. If its crummy and wet the you have found the culprate. If not do a compression check. You could be leaking at a hose.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KATMEG99
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Uh, where is the water pump? Yes, I'm female. Thanks for the help.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VIC HALL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
I kept losing radiator fluid so took it to a radiator shop and they did a compression test and said it was leaking at the water pump. Had them put on water pump, new thermostat and all new hoses. Within a month started losing fluid again. Took it back to the radiator shop and was told the radiator was bad, had it replaced. Within a month started losing fluid again took it back to the radiator shop and they diagnosed it as electrolysis in the system and eats away at the core of the radiator and can't be fixed. Said to get rid of the car. Does this sound right?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
I believe prestone makes a neutralizer for your problem. The whole process takes a few hours to do. You have to follow the instruction exactly but it does work. You do not have to get rid of the car. I always perform this procedure the first time the vehicle comes in with burnt rusty coolant.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
In my opinion it has to do with the orange coolant. When I do this procedure I always use a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and green anti freeze. I hope this helps
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MANGUM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I have a leak from my engine. The leak is above where the hose connects to the engine from the radiator. When I pour water into the radiator and look underneath I see water coming from the area about 2-3 inches above the hose connection on the engine. What would this be? How can I fix it or is it something to do with the engine? I have already replaced the radiator and all the hoses are in good shape so I know it is coming from the engine.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Is it the upper or lower radiator hose? Could be the thermostat housing gasket that has failed and leaking coolant. It is located at the end of the radiator hose near engine.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MANGUM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It is the lower radiator hose but it is leaking at the end connected at the engine. The hose is not leaking but when you look up from underneath you can see fluid coming from above the hose connection in the engine. Doeas that make sense. What is the lower radiator hose connected to at the engine the water pump?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MANGUM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It is the lower radiator hose but it is leaking at the end connected at the engine. The hose is not leaking but when you look up from underneath you can see fluid coming from above the hose connection in the engine. Does that make sense. What is the lower radiator hose connected to at the engine the water pump?
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
I believe your upper radiator hose has the thermostat while the bottom goes to the water pump. So since the lower radiator hose is where the problem is, it may actually be leaking from the water pump's weep holes. They will do this when they begin to fail.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MANGUM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for you help. It is the water pump and I am changing it this weekend along with a tune-up and oil change.
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ALEXCANIPE
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 154,554 MILES
I'm on my 2nd bottle of coolant in 4 days. On the bottom of my radiator there is a stream of coolant coming out behind the lowest belt wheel when the car is running. When I turn off the engine the coolant stops flowing eventually. I have a feeling its a gasket of some sort. My big question is, can I fix this on my own with minimal knowledge of auto mechanics. Also what are the parts called/needed for the this repair and if I can do this on my own where can I find some resources to help me out as far as instruction? If I can't do this on my own what might be a rough estimate?

I attempted to post a couple of pics up but the website won't recognize them. So I can send pics directly through email if that helps.

As always I really appreciate all the help I get from you folks. I'm always learning from you.

Thanks
Alex
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Sounds like a water pump. That and the thermostat need to be replaced.
Can you do it? I dont know but it is involved.

A bid? Around 400-500 if a shop did it all correctly. A lot of shops will do just the pump but it is not the correct way. It needs the thermostat and a flush to do it correctly. You may find a shop to do it for about 150-200 but be prepared for more issues.

Roy
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Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 AT 11:03 AM (Merged)

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