TJ coolant problems

[boardsnow]

Friday I drove to the beach with no problems; however, it was not until during the drive back when the problem first presented itself.

Check gauges occured, I checked and lone behold - +125 e.temp.
I immediately stopped, flipped the hood and aside from the smoke and horrible smell did I realize it may be a minor flaw. I had water and filled my rad with it. Waited maybe 10-15 minutes for it to cool(then filled), and the vehicle drove.

The following day(yesterday) I purchased some 50/50 antifreeze/coolant and filled up my rad. This is where this problem may have been able to have a more earlier notice. The rad wouldn't fill the reserve. I had to fill the rad with 4.3L of coolant(97 TJ), the remainder into the reserve. Whether this is normal, or problematice, I honestly did not know. After speaking with the sales rep, he assured me that everything was fine(walmart....). Following the drive, everything was fine and no leaks.

Today, I drive from my girlfriends house to mine which is less than 10km; upon parking, did I notice my entire underengine to be soaked in antifreeze, two small puddles where being formed. I noticed the precipiate on the hood to still be damp(earlier notices where when the problem first occred and on the fill).

My question now is, what is wrong? I checked my rad with the engine still hot and there was antifreeze in it maybe 30ml was forced out by pressure, none the less there is a leak somewhere; just I don't know. I don't even know if the problem lies within the rad itself.

Here is what I do know:
I poured 4.3L of coolant within the rad and 500ml within the reserve.
The obersavable excess coolant on the cement varies between approx. 200ml-500ml(if even).

The splatter pattern of the liquid when this first occured showed sings of explosion none the less comming from everything.

My check engine and temp gauge did not light up nor read high temp. This was a periodic check as I saw fluid everywhere on my front chassis.

Before checking the rad for fluid, there was coolant on the fan belt and on most everything below that.

All help is greately appreticated, I will cease driving the vehicle until this problem is resolved.

[Dragonmaster]

Check around the thermostat housing, the water pump and check your upper and lower rad hoses for leaks.  If they've never been replaced, it's probably a good time to do it.

[FiEND]

first i'd replace the rad cap and thermostat, tighten all the screw bands on the hoses

leave the rad cap off, bring it to temperature with the heater on full blast to make sure there are no air pockets from running too low.

then i'd pressure wash it top to bottom, let it run and sit and watch it.  leaks are usually easy to find.

[rws]

Could also buy a cheap pressure tester and do a pressure test.

[boardsnow]

I can see that the fluid is leaking from the connection between the engine and the rad hose.
How do I tighten this and with what tools?
My biggest concern is my engine cracking because of where the leak is, is this possible?