93 YJ 4L Coolant leak

[Sprockett]

When I got home today and shortly after noticed a drip from the front end. Upon closer inspection, the radiator in leaking. It's coming from the fitting on the tank that the top hose clamps to. At first I just figured I'd weld it but upon closer inspection, the material on the fitting doesn't look metal. In fact, it doesn't look normal at all. Can someone tell me what I am looking at?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Gearhead]

That sure looks like it was leaking before and was repaired with epoxy or some kind of miracle putty .   Quite , ummmm   ,  ghetto  , as far as repairs go.  Billy Mays would be proud.

That would be an ok  short term repair  ,  but should have been soldered  ,   or   ,  a better fix would be a new radiator.

What would I do ?   replace the radiator ,  the thermostat , the coolant , any hoses that don't appear to be like new and maybe the belt too.   This would be the high road fix .

The low road fix would be more epoxy , some stop leak elixer , pepper or  hot dog buns  or chewing gum.

[Sprockett]

The more I find out about this damn Jeep the more I...spend money.

[dubbleJs]

The more I find out about this damn Jeep the more I...spend money.

Ahhh, the joys of owning a jeep...

Id agree, that looks like its already been patched up. If I was you Id look for used rad online or hit the junkyard!...or if you realy feel like spending $, buy new.

[Immortal]

I would buy a new rad and hoses, if it was me. Just one more thing you wouldn't have to worry about on the trail.




Should have bought my TJ. 

[Sprockett]

Not into a junk yard rad...went new but not hoses. They looked ok but maybe I should have. Hate bleeding coolant, I always overfill. Made a bit a mess in the garage. Hope the nieghbors damn rabbit likes the smell 

[dunl]

If your hoses are good, and don't leak, good.  But if not, buy new ones.  In fact, it's suggested that instead of reusing hoses, it's better to cut the old ones off with a knife and put new ones on.  If you need to go new hoses, using a little bit of soapy water on the insides of the smaller ones helps to slide them on.

And yes, you are spending money on the jeep.  But you're also getting a basic mechanic's course along the way....don't forget about how much that would cost you somewhere to take, and you might not learn as much. 

You got a great rig,don't let the little things get you down.

[Sprockett]

Ok, so you told me so. Let me serve as a lesson to do thing right the first time

The old lower rad hose was leaking the next day after all the moving around during install of the new rad. So, I did it all over last night...while I was at it this time I changed the thermostat and gasket.

[hps4evr]

knowledge is power. changing the rad yourself will help you the next time it happens. but, you put a new rad in, so its gonna be a while. good job dude!

[Gearhead]

Attaboy


I suggested , doing the whole enchalada because , on an older vehicle it's worth doing .
If you are gonna service the cooling system , it's best to do it right and do it once , then it's good for a couple of years.