XJ Passenger Side Coolant Leak

[bRIBEGuy]

So last weekend while "thawing" my frozen e-brake, a small puddle of coolant appeared under the passenger side front bumper.  A quick look under the hood showed a bit of coolant in the battery tray, but otherwise the engine compartment was dry.  All hoses seem to look okay.  The passenger side wheel well however, was fairly splattered.

I cleaned it up, drove home, and took another look..........everything seems fine.  The temp never got over 100 on the gauge.

After a few more short trips during the week, no more issues.  Then after a short trip last night.........coolant splattered all over the passenger wheel well again.  There are also a few drips visible through the front grill.

Now based on the hoses being dry, I'm fearing that this may be the beginning of the end of my radiator.  As an uber-noob Jeep mechanic, however, I figured I should toss this out to the CJA masses, and see if anyone else had any thoughts.

Is there another possibility here, or should I be starting the search for a new rad?

A few pics of what I'm dealing with:

[morerpmfred]

Typical plastic tank crimp leak. Replace is best. Rad shops can recrimp but it will leak again on any where from a month to a year later. Mine leaks intermintainly  like a cup one day then nothing for a year.

[bRIBEGuy]

Dang.........not what I was hoping to hear.

Anyone have any recommendations on a good XJ rad?  Or a place to get it done?

[JENSSEN]

My next will be a griffen,.. and then done

[heep-a-lop]

yeah thats  definatley a leaking rad...


also try be cool... emf can get u them for a pretty good price...

but if it was me straight to napa and be done wiht it that way when your new one is leaking down the road it wont hurt so mu7ch...

i have had them out and in in a xj in under a hour with air...

[bRIBEGuy]

My next will be a griffen,.. and then done

Ya, those look hella nice.  Of course, I'm rolling in a 2000 XJ, and they only make 'em for up to the '98s.  I guess eliminating the Griffen as an option that way at least saves me a few pennies..........

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, after a morning of reading and searching on-line, I'm now more confused then ever.

Some manufactures seem to show their rads working on most Jeep models (i.e. CSF and Champion), meaning the rad will fit say a 1991-2001.

Other manufactures however (Be-Cool, Griffen, etc...) show their rad's only working on up to 1998 XJ's.

What gives?  Will a '98 rad work on a '00, or did something change?  If I have to get this thing swapped, I would be more inclined to upgrade then to swap with stock, but I'm hesitant to start ordering when all I can find is contradicting info.

Then there is the 2 core vs 3 core debate, and the copper vs aluminum thing...........oi.

Thoughts, advice or experiences?

[heep-a-lop]

if it wasnt the weekend i would give be cool a call for u we do alot of bussiness with them.....  i can on monday for u....

2001 xj right

[bRIBEGuy]

if it wasnt the weekend i would give be cool a call for u we do alot of bussiness with them.....  i can on monday for u....

2001 xj right

It's a 2000.

I took a look on Be Cool's website, and it didn't look like they actually offer an XJ rad for any of the newer years.

Right now I seem to be limited to considering:

     1) Champion 3 core all alluminum

     2) CSF 2 core copper/brass

     3) CSF 3 core copper/brass

     4) OEM

Of course, they ALL have mixed reviews.........

[heep-a-lop]

let me talk to them tomorrow they custoom for most applications and usually have wht u need just there application guide isnt the greatest...

i am assuming Auto trans

[bRIBEGuy]

let me talk to them tomorrow they custoom for most applications and usually have wht u need just there application guide isnt the greatest...

i am assuming Auto trans

Yes, Auto.

[heep-a-lop]

okay got super busy yesterday did a whole front end on a chev truck for my father.....  i got erin to make some calls just never talked ot her before i left.....  i am stoping by napa on the way out today will grab some pricing from there to.....

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, at this point I think I'm 85% sold on ordering a Champion 3 row aluminum Rad and trying to do the swap myself.

Still not 100% sure......but slowy getting closer.   

I'm going to go back through the Jeep's records tonight and see if any other work has ever been done to the cooling system.  I'm doubting it has.  The XJ runs well aside from the leak, but part of me (an ever growing large part of me...) starts to wonder if I should do some other work as "preventative maintenance" while I'm in there.

Hoses, water pump, fan cluth, serpentine belt, thermostat...........is it worth while to swap this stuff out too if it hasn't been done?  Jeep is sitting at about 242,000 km.

[tubby]

Hoses, water pump, fan cluth, serpentine belt, thermostat...........is it worth while to swap this stuff out too if it hasn't been done?  Jeep is sitting at about 242,000 km.

It would be wise to replace these items if you're going to be putting in a new radiator. You'll have easy access to them and the piece of mind is worth the price.

[cLAY]

Thats a fair chunk of change in parts. If you have the dough then sure go for it. Otherwise I would for sure do the T-stat. Inspect the hoses and belts, replace as needed. Clutch replace if it shows any sign of leaking. Water pump, if its not weeping I would leave it.

Oh yeah, new rad--> new rad cap. A faulty rad cap can over pressure and blow that new rad the same as it did the old one.