Radiator leak…

[rich67]

I noticed some coolant on the driveway the other day. Jeep was parked for about 15 hours. I saw a small drop of coolant coming from the corner where the black plastic meets the aluminum. It’s been really hot out, and my coolant reservoir went down in level since I last filled it by about two inches. Cracked radiator? Temp is fine during driving, and the leak itself is intermittent. Only shows up when the Jeep has been sitting for a while then stops, doesn’t happen for a week, then comes back. Any ideas??

 

[JT@623]

I noticed some coolant on the driveway the other day. Jeep was parked for about 15 hours. I saw a small drop of coolant coming from the corner where the black plastic meets the aluminum. It’s been really hot out, and my coolant reservoir went down in level since I last filled it by about two inches. Cracked radiator? Temp is fine during driving, and the leak itself is intermittent. Only shows up when the Jeep has been sitting for a while then stops, doesn’t happen for a week, then comes back. Any ideas?? View attachment 395060 View attachment 395059

My guess it’s sealing up as it expands usually means where the seals meet the tanks are starting to fail. How many miles are on it ?

 

[OverlanderJK]

That corner is a known leak spot. My two door leaked like that for years and I never bothered fixing it. If you want to fix it I would go with another factory.

 

[rich67]

137k miles. I just fixed a bad valve cover gasket. Guess I have another project.

 

[OverlanderJK]

137k miles. I just fixed a bad valve cover gasket. Guess I have another project.

That’s a pretty good run on a stock radiator.

 

[rich67]

This Jeep has been pretty good. I’m still on the original clutch and I towed a 3000 pound camper around the country for a year. Along with a Jeep full of gear, two mountain bikes and a rooftop storage box. I can’t complain.

 

[jeeeep]

That corner is a known leak spot. My two door leaked like that for years and I never bothered fixing it. If you want to fix it I would go with another factory.

This ^

it's a common failure point, go with factory if you want to replace it.

I've got friends that have used all aluminum radiators and ultimately replaced them with mopar.

 

[JeepFan]

My 09 and 15 JKs had the same problem as well as my 18 JL. Jeep calls it design obsolescence.

 

[J. Dub]

This ^

it's a common failure point, go with factory if you want to replace it.

I've got friends that have used all aluminum radiators and ultimately replaced them with mopar.

Dang, I cannot find one single good aftermarket aluminum radiator.
How do the V8 swap guys do it but us 3.6L engine guys can't get a decent radiator?

 

[pewpew82]

That’s a pretty good run on a stock radiator.

Replaced mine at 105k, shortly after I bought it.

I really thought it was too early until I learned more about jeeps.

 

[Bierpower]

Dang, I cannot find one single good aftermarket aluminum radiator.
How do the V8 swap guys do it but us 3.6L engine guys can't get a decent radiator?

The V8 swaps still have all the same problems with the fabbed aluminum radiators, they just don't get the choice to buy a factory one.