Great website! Finally registered after a few fixes thanks to you guys. My new one is a strange coolant loss on my 2000 cherokee. About a month ago my temp sensor whacked out, was all over the place, so I replaced it and my t-stat. In the process, added about a gallon of coolant to the system. My fault for not catching it prior, I hadn't had the hood open in a while (knock on wood). Since then, I've put another gallon and a half into the system, just a few quarts at a time nearly every weekend. I'll notice the electric fan spinning down when I turn the car off and sure enough, temp was 10 deg hotter.

Steps taken -
1) T-stat and temp sensor replaced orginally (didn't purge system when I added nearly a gallon.. My bad.. )
2) few quarts at a time for the last few weeks
3) oil change - no coolant in oil, tad bit of "foam" on the oil cap, not uncommon in cold michigan winters from water condensation, but nothing noticeable otherwise (oil didn't smell like coolant or anything), none in drain pan
4) added another 1/2 gallon to system, refilled bottle, purged through temp sensor
5) no strange exhaust color, smell, or crust on tailpipe, but tonight is the spark plug check.

Could I have constantly lost coolant in steam form through my pressure cap if there was a big enough air bubble in the system due to my no-purge after original re-fill? Could I have a pinhole somewhere capable of releasing that much in steam form? My biggest head scratcher is there is no visible residue in the engine compartment, no puddles, nothing. I hope this is another jeep-ism and I don't find nice shiny plugs tonight. Anyone have this issue?

Great website! Finally registered after a few fixes thanks to you guys. My new one is a strange coolant loss on my 2000 cherokee. About a month ago my temp sensor whacked out, was all over the place, so I replaced it and my t-stat. In the process, added about a gallon of coolant to the system. My fault for not catching it prior, I hadn't had the hood open in a while (knock on wood). Since then, I've put another gallon and a half into the system, just a few quarts at a time nearly every weekend. I'll notice the electric fan spinning down when I turn the car off and sure enough, temp was 10 deg hotter.

Steps taken -
1) T-stat and temp sensor replaced orginally (didn't purge system when I added nearly a gallon.. My bad.. )
2) few quarts at a time for the last few weeks
3) oil change - no coolant in oil, tad bit of "foam" on the oil cap, not uncommon in cold michigan winters from water condensation, but nothing noticeable otherwise (oil didn't smell like coolant or anything), none in drain pan
4) added another 1/2 gallon to system, refilled bottle, purged through temp sensor
5) no strange exhaust color, smell, or crust on tailpipe, but tonight is the spark plug check.

Could I have constantly lost coolant in steam form through my pressure cap if there was a big enough air bubble in the system due to my no-purge after original re-fill? Could I have a pinhole somewhere capable of releasing that much in steam form? My biggest head scratcher is there is no visible residue in the engine compartment, no puddles, nothing. I hope this is another jeep-ism and I don't find nice shiny plugs tonight. Anyone have this issue?



LOOK DOWN IN FRONT OF ENGINE IS THERE A WATER SHEILD ACCROSS THE FRONT OF ENGINE. SHINE A LIGHT DOWN AND SEE IF YOU SEE ANY TRACE OF ANTI-FREEZE LEAKAGE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BURP AIR OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM IF YOUR'S IS A 2000 ITS A OPEN SYSTEM HOW FILL ARE FILLING THE COOLANT BOTTLE TRY REPLACING RADIATOR CAP. TO LOSE THAT MUCH ANTI-FREEZE YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE SOME KIND OF LEAK. LOOK UNDERNEATH. A LOT OF TIMES THE WATER SHELD WILL HOLD LEAKAGE AND IT WILL DESPERSE WILL DRIVING COOLANT BOTTLE SHOULD BE APPROX HALF FULL WITH HOT ENGINE. DALE
jeepman600@sbcglobal.net :2cents:

I haven't seen any trace of leakage yet. I looked pretty thoroughly the few times I've had it open with the tstat and oil change. I'm beginning to wonder though if I'm looking at a waterpump issue. Maybe it's only purging at High RPM's, Drop by drop on the highway, drying up by the time I'm in the driveway or at work? Does that make sense? It would still leave residue though, but road salt residue could be masking it. My only history with water pump replacement has been one day it's fine then the next it spews. I've never thought this could be that due to the gradual effect.

I haven't seen any trace of leakage yet. I looked pretty thoroughly the few times I've had it open with the tstat and oil change. I'm beginning to wonder though if I'm looking at a waterpump issue. Maybe it's only purging at High RPM's, Drop by drop on the highway, drying up by the time I'm in the driveway or at work? Does that make sense? It would still leave residue though, but road salt residue could be masking it. My only history with water pump replacement has been one day it's fine then the next it spews. I've never thought this could be that due to the gradual effect.

My 96 had a similiar problem i did notice a little pudldle of fluid on the driveway, turns out that the water pump is going bad it will start to leak out fluid from the weep hole on the water pump, check that and that may be your problem

What Thinmints said. If you're leaking out of the weep hole it may be evaporating before it has a chance to puddle. If so, you should see a trail of deposits, maybe even some corrosion in the area. You may need an inspection mirror and a good flashlight to get a peek.

Did you ever figure this out? I get a coolant smell from my 98 Cherokee for the past several years. Water pump, hoses, thermostat have been replaced and still the same smell. No anti-freeze in the oil. No visible leaks, and loss of coolant is very slow.

You would do better to start a new thread with all the information we need about your problem instead of reviving a thread that's been dead for 2 years. That being said how well does the heat work? It might be a problem with the heater core.

I replaced the heater core 3 years ago because of antifreeze coming out through the vents. What a nightmare that was. I had hoped that was the cause of the problem, but it wasn't.

jheissle, Welcome to AF. Dave92Cherokee is right, please start a new thread on this issue. Thanks, and be sure to check the date on the last post before you post a reply.

btw I don't have any suggestions, although I understand that sometimes the radiators have a slow leak that is up near the top hose.

Closed.