Heater went out last week. I drive 15 Mi/week. 1 Mi into a drive Jeep stalled out, smoked under hood....I bought bottled water at a local store, turned over engine,radiator took 1.5 Gal. and went 1 mile home. Very minimal dripping when in neutral/idle. Turn off the engine and a small but steady stream commences. Looks like it's coming from the connection point of the water pump and the hose (that ultimately leeds to the corner bottom of the radiator directly below the radiator cap). Can't see it too well...and it seems to be on the underside of that point/spot.
Next day in the cold jeep poured coolent in radiator and the leak commencences at the seemingly same location. Again, the engine is off.
- Within the radiator does the coolent travel down (when filling) and then go diagnoal up to the water pump via gravity (rising diagnonally via that hose)?
- Since the Jeep is off...is the coolent likely escaping through a leak/crack in the hose at the connection point to the water pump? (explaing why it leaks when cold).
- And then when the engine is on and water pump functioning....the leak appreciably subsides......because the water pump is functioning and taking in coolent and circulating it?
- And since I drive minimal miles...the water pump is getting enough coolent to sufficiently circulate and cool the engine...but not enough to delivery to the heater core thus explainint no heat?
Just trying to piece together this puzzle. I'm going to take the vehicel to the shop but since none of the gauges indicate any problem....I'm thinking this is likely due to a hose crack/hole that's not visible...and not a cracked or leaking seal with the water pump or heater core.....
All hints and clues appreciated..
Thanks
Andrew...