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radiator (?) woes

Hi guys,

I have an unusual radiator problem with a 99 TJ Sport. It has 73,000 miles now, and at the 60,000 check last year the dealer said the radiator was weeping at the seam. Nothing urgent, so I filed it away in the "later" bin and started checking the coolant more. This weekend I took a 3-hour trip and didn't lose any, then when I woke up it was a half gallon low (puddled under the Jeep). I topped it off and now it hasn't leaked on the 3-hour return trip or since. I noticed that if I park it with the nose down a slight slope, it doesn't ever leak. Does that seem typical at all of a radiator problem, or could I be looking at hose issues too? I stuck my head in and could see a wet radiator seam, but I can't see where the serious leak is coming from (when it does).

thanks in advance for any advice! Probably need the neat 3-core radiator the last radiator posters needed, huh? :)

Matt

Reply to
mhammer8
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The fins are metal but the tanks are plastic. The seam that leaks is where the tank and the fins come together. It can be very difficult to see where the leak is, especially when the radiator is still mounted inthe vehicle.

I suggest you look into replacing the radiator before it fails completely. My BMW failed unexpectedly and catastrophically, and did serious engine - OK, expensive if not so serious - damage. It also left me stranded on a mountain road late at night with the lion and tigers and bears. Oh my.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

Figure the engine moves a bit on it's rubber mounts so when you park, the top rad hose can be pushed on or pulled on which likely can make the o-ring leak or not it would seem.

Man those have to be the dumbest freaking radiator design going for a Jeep to have a half plastic rad... They 'all' seem to fail.

I would be thinking if enough folks got together on that one they would have a recall or class action case......

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

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Reply to
Mike Romain

Thank you! I'll definitely order the recommended one (3-core heavy duty all metal) today from Radiatorbarn then. I'm moving from VA to FL next week and will be carrying some weight...I'll rush and get this done. Thanks for the advice.

Matt

completely.

Reply to
mhammer8

I went ahead and ordered the Old Faithful 3-core heavy duty one:

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Doing it later this week.

Thanks again.

Matt

Reply to
mhammer8

They (radiatorbarn.com) called and said it would be a week before it gets here-what else should I watch besides temp and coolant level? Is there anything else I should check to make sure it holds up that long?

Thanks again.

Matt

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Reply to
mhammer8

Reply to
mic canic

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