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Coolant problem , 3.0 , Cap replaced, coolant loss

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Old 08-10-2017
AzRanger98's Avatar
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From: glendale,az
Coolant problem , 3.0 , Cap replaced, coolant loss

I see a drip , or a bit of coolant freshly leaked on the front driver side lower suspension. and a tiny 3 inch spot where the coolant fell on the ground (not a puddle). This was a slow leak, I discovered it after my coolant boiled one night, no overheating though on the temp gauge, I have not overheated ,just went low on coolant. Anyone know if this is just a hose issue? My temp gauge seems to be working fine, I changed out the cap (I saw leak from the cap) to make sure Im not losing pressure so the coolant wouldnt boil at a low temp. I now see that thee coolant is fresh on the lower driver arm suspension. I dont feel much there,and I am a little confused because I dont see drops on the hose at the bottom near the radiator..but i cant reach in to the top of the hose to see if its from there either...any ideas?
 
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Old 08-10-2017
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From: BC Canada
It's either the bottom rad hose at the top where it connects onto the pump (timing chain cover area), or it's leaking from the actual timing cover itself.

There is a groove on the timing cover on the inside so if it does leak it won't contaminate the oil.
Most leak on the outside.

The lower rad hose also has a "T" in it, that "T" is made of plastic, that can crack and leak as well.

You can see better if you remove the air intake tube and the clutch fan along with the rad shroud.

Clutch fan doesn't always come off easy though _ left hand thread remember.

You can also see it if you lie on your back and shine a light up there as well, but I prefer from the top.
 

Last edited by Jeff R 1; 08-10-2017 at 07:40 PM.
  #3  
Old 08-10-2017
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From: Havertown,PA
I had that with my 3.0 and it was lower hose.
 
  #4  
Old 08-10-2017
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From: BC Canada
Yeah for sure, that's the easiest to check.
 
  #5  
Old 08-11-2017
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From: glendale,az
I plan on changing all the hoses, and redoing the ac soon. My problem was air in the coolant system, from a bad cap. I changed the cap, and bled the system
 
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Old 08-11-2017
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From: Oregon
So, you fixed it?
 
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Old 08-12-2017
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From: glendale,az
Originally Posted by MaDMaXX
So, you fixed it?
yes I fixed it . Bad radiator cap caused the coolant to boil , it steamed or exited but my engine did not reach any kind of over heating , my temp gauge stayed normal. This means to me my coolant was circulating properly , lucky for me the night I turned it off and heard it , i turned it off probably minutes before any overheating . I let it cool , then next morning i took a look , no coolant drips or puddles...a half filled radiator . My cap must have been bad for a week or 2 and i hadnt noticed. When i changed my cap and filled with coolant, i could definitely see a difference in the caps sealing ability ..boil never happened again . i also burped the system , once but didnt get it all out brped it again lastnight at an incline while feathering the gas before full temp ...and the coolant now stays at the radiator cap , and no coolant loss thus far. So ill rule it out as a scary radiator cap experience
 
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Old 08-12-2017
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From: Oregon
Sounds good, i *just* threw a new cap on mine yesterday after noticing it kept spurting coolant out whilst running the power steering bleed.
 
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