Leaking Coolant Reservoir? (Always check your fluids!!)

[MercMan54]

Hello,

2021 JT Sport
26K miles

I was doing my routine checks and noticed the coolant reservoir was empty! I always keep an eye on the temps in dash and fortunately have never noticed anything out of ordinary so hoping I am fine.

I see coolant leaked directly below reservoir.

I need to tear this apart obviously but do you think this is most likely a cracked reservoir, bad cap?, or the fitting below reservoir?

Looking for advice.

Thank you,
T

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[Lost1wing]

You are not alone. May be an easy fix.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/leaking-coolant-at-reservoir.92153/

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You are not alone. May be an easy fix.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/leaking-coolant-at-reservoir.92153/

Yeah, didn't Kevin in Canada and a couple of others have that issue?

I mark my JT's fluid levels like coolant, PS fluid, brake fluid, and monitor using that black dot.
I check things under the hood every week.

 

[YGBSM]

Same here when I got it home from the dealership.

 

[mpboxer]

Try a cap first.

This was my experience:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/coolant-loss-explained.87523/

 

[tysongladiator]

I replaced my reservoir back in May 2023 for the same issue. In the exact same spot. I had 144,000 miles on my Jeep at the time. If I can remember, I THINK mine was cracked on the nipple for the tank because I reused the hose itself. I assume it may be related to offroading or the normal vibration of the jeep while driving. Yours may not be broken, but it's easy to remove and check. And if it is, It's an easy fix.

At the time, I had recorded myself replacing at and was going to upload to my youtube channel. But I figured it was so easy to replace it that it wasn't worth the time doing the editing and uploading.

One more tip I would suggest while you're checking. Check all of the radiator hoses. I had to replace all three of my radiator hoses at 177,000 miles. Stopped at my friend's offroad shop in TX (2 Fat Guys) and we noticed the leak. So, check your hoses while you're doing your inspections.

I did make a video about that one though.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I replaced my reservoir back in May 2023 for the same issue. In the exact same spot. I had 144,000 miles on my Jeep at the time. If I can remember, I THINK mine was cracked on the nipple for the tank because I reused the hose itself. I assume it may be related to offroading or the normal vibration of the jeep while driving. Yours may not be broken, but it's easy to remove and check. And if it is, It's an easy fix.

At the time, I had recorded myself replacing at and was going to upload to my youtube channel. But I figured it was so easy to replace it that it wasn't worth the time doing the editing and uploading.

One more tip I would suggest while you're checking. Check all of the radiator hoses. I had to replace all three of my radiator hoses at 177,000 miles. Stopped at my friend's offroad shop in TX (2 Fat Guys) and we noticed the leak. So, check your hoses while you're doing your inspections.

I did make a video about that one though.

Not bad life - a lot of heating and cooling cycles, rubber and plastic facing high temps and vibrations.
We were replacing hoses with a lot fewer miles and roughly the same age years ago so really, not much has changed as far as getting life out of such things.

 

[MercMan54]

Update, it could have been my imagination but I THINK the cap was ever so slightly loose when I opened it up. I am hoping that was the issue!

For now I cleaned everything the best I could and topped off the coolant level. I'm pretty confident no harm done as the coolant level was just sitting at just below this reservoir. I turned on the heater let the vehicle idle for about 30 minutes until completely at operating temps to ensure air is purged out of system. I cleaned out the cap.

Not observing any leaks below reservoir at the moment. I am hoping this is just a bad cap or even better, it wasn't snug in the first place.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Update, it could have been my imagination but I THINK the cap was ever so slightly loose when I opened it up. I am hoping that was the issue!

For now I cleaned everything the best I could and topped off the coolant level. I'm pretty confident no harm done as the coolant level was just sitting at just below this reservoir. I turned on the heater let the vehicle idle for about 30 minutes until completely at operating temps to ensure air is purged out of system. I cleaned out the cap.

Not observing any leaks below reservoir at the moment. I am hoping this is just a bad cap or even better, it wasn't snug in the first place.

I see the traces of dried coolant above the tank seam but not below as is typical with the bottom connection leaking.
I think you may be onto something.

 

[tysongladiator]

Update, it could have been my imagination but I THINK the cap was ever so slightly loose when I opened it up. I am hoping that was the issue!

For now I cleaned everything the best I could and topped off the coolant level. I'm pretty confident no harm done as the coolant level was just sitting at just below this reservoir. I turned on the heater let the vehicle idle for about 30 minutes until completely at operating temps to ensure air is purged out of system. I cleaned out the cap.

Not observing any leaks below reservoir at the moment. I am hoping this is just a bad cap or even better, it wasn't snug in the first place.

Good catch. Had that issue too on my white Ram. Wasn't on completely tight which was just enough to leak. Couldn't really tell it in the beginning, but over time, it looked really bad.

I hope that's the fix for you.

 

[Lost1wing]

Not bad life - a lot of heating and cooling cycles, rubber and plastic facing high temps and vibrations.
We were replacing hoses with a lot fewer miles and roughly the same age years ago so really, not much has changed as far as getting life out of such things.

I have one Crown Victoria (2002) and one Jetta (2003) that have the original hoses still. The Jetta had one rubber heater hose grommet go bad from a diesel leak. I would call that good life. I hope the JT does as well.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I have one Crown Victoria (2002) and one Jetta (2003) that have the original hoses still. The Jetta had one rubber heater hose grommet go bad from a diesel leak. I would call that good life. I hope the JT does as well.

That's really good life.

 

[tysongladiator]

I have one Crown Victoria (2002) and one Jetta (2003) that have the original hoses still. The Jetta had one rubber heater hose grommet go bad from a diesel leak. I would call that good life. I hope the JT does as well.

That's really good. Considering the abuse that my JT takes, it's pretty good life for my hoses.

 

[tysongladiator]

Not bad life - a lot of heating and cooling cycles, rubber and plastic facing high temps and vibrations.
We were replacing hoses with a lot fewer miles and roughly the same age years ago so really, not much has changed as far as getting life out of such things.

Not bad. But... for mine? Yes. Definitely good life. My JT takes a beating. Lol

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Yeah, didn't Kevin in Canada and a couple of others have that issue?

Ya, that Kevin guy had a flattened O ring that was causing the pressure leak in that connector at the base of the coolant tank. I replaced the tank, cap and connector but unfortunately you can’t just buy the connector. It comes attached to a hose and was about $90 cad for the hose.

When I got it home, I took the connector off and just replaced that and all is well.

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