Leaking coolant from upper radiator.

[dcmdon]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if there is any known issues that might be causing this.
I was backing into my garage this morning and when I parked noticed steam coming from the engine compartment. I popped the hood and saw dampness around the horn and radiator support.

I'm going to pull some trim off to try to get a better look before going to the dealer but thought I'd check in here first.

I'll post a quick video once I get it uploaded to my PC.

Thanks,

Don

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[dcmdon]

Nobody?

 

[Mac]

Did you find where it is leaking from? Don’t recall seeing any coolant leak threads

 

[dcmdon]

Not yet. I just removed the grill. I have to start it up and run it so it pressurizes.

I called my dealer and they were able to fit me in on Wednesday morning for a wait while they diagnose it.

The leak is very slow so I will be driving it around locally until then. The steam isn't noticeable unless you are stopped.

 

[IamPro2A]

I have a cooling system pressure tester, but I'm in CT right now.

 

[dcmdon]

I have a cooling system pressure tester, but I'm in CT right now.

Can you think of anything else it could be. A small wisp of steam coming from around the front radiator area.

I just pulled the grill and drove the truck but because of the other heat exchangers in front of the radiator (AC condense, I think) I couldn't locate where exactly it was leaking from

 

[IamPro2A]

Does it smell "sweet" like radiator coolant does? I guess it's possible this time of year in this part of the country to get water splashed up there from the road and then "steam". I've even noticed ice in there after driving in some especially foul New England weather a month or so ago.

I know the JKs are prone to windshield washer fluid leaks in winter, which is often confused with coolant as well.

 

[dcmdon]

Does it smell "sweet" like radiator coolant does? I guess it's possible this time of year in this part of the country to get water splashed up there from the road and then "steam". I've even noticed ice in there after driving in some especially foul New England weather a month or so ago.

I know the JKs are prone to windshield washer fluid leaks in winter, which is often confused with coolant as well.

So this is where I'm starting to doubt myself.

The steam is continuous. Meaning that it will steam continuously over the course over a 20 minute ride, coming from an area around the radiator with visible condensation on the horns and radiator supports.

That clearly says coolant leak.

But when I smell it its not particularly sweet, and its not slippery, and the coolant reservoir doesn't seem to be low. Although I haven't checked it cold. I'll do that today before I drive it.

It has to be coolant, right?? Though I did just top off the washer fluid a couple of days ago.

 

[Hootbro]

Might be a marginal crimp of the plastic shell ends with the seam. If you have an actual coolant leak, should be some dried pinkish residue around the area it is leaking from.

 

[MrG]

I have a 2022 Glad-Mojave with around 5000 miles doing the exact same thing. Did you ever find out what the issue is?

 

[Josh00333]

Mine had a minor leak, like 10-15 drops every random so often. It was some factory fitting. Tech told me I just forgot, wasn't important.

 

[dcmdon]

I never posted a follow up to this.

I brought it into the dealer back several months ago. The service writer saw steam coming out from the radiator on the right side.

When the tech pressure tested it, it tested ok.

The service writer thought NO Way. So she idled the truck outside for 45 minutes and the leak was gone.

She guaranteed me that this was the case.

That was back in Mar 2022 and it hasn't leaked since. Strange.

 

[Red white blue]

So this is where I'm starting to doubt myself.

The steam is continuous. Meaning that it will steam continuously over the course over a 20 minute ride, coming from an area around the radiator with visible condensation on the horns and radiator supports.

That clearly says coolant leak.

But when I smell it its not particularly sweet, and its not slippery, and the coolant reservoir doesn't seem to be low. Although I haven't checked it cold. I'll do that today before I drive it.

It has to be coolant, right?? Though I did just top off the washer fluid a couple of days ago.

I never posted a follow up to this.

I brought it into the dealer back several months ago. The service writer saw steam coming out from the radiator on the right side.

When the tech pressure tested it, it tested ok.

The service writer thought NO Way. So she idled the truck outside for 45 minutes and the leak was gone.

She guaranteed me that this was the case.

That was back in Mar 2022 and it hasn't leaked since. Strange.

THANKS FOR POSTING PROBLEM
I DROVE 21 gladiator with Ripp supercharger 8 miles today and parking at store saw steam right top of radiator my fluid level was okay and not running hot with no visible leaks
Will contact Ripp mods to avoid damaging motor

 

[dcmdon]

?

 

[Red white blue]

UPDATE MY GLADIATOR RADIATOR STEAM WAS FROM TOP RIGHT CORNER ORIGINALLY AND TRIED THE IDLE WHICH WORKED BUT FOUND SMALL AMOUNT R- FLUID ON GROUND AND LOOKING UNDERNEATH BOTTOM LEFT CORNER STOCK RADIATOR HAS DRAIN SPOUT AND WAS "LOOSE ENOUGH "TO ALLOW DRIP FROM OPENING FOR DRAIN LINE ATTACHMENT

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