I have a 2000 Jeep cherokee sport with 80,000 miles. I put some coolant in a few thousand miles ago because it was low. After a few thousand miles it was at the same place it was which is right at the add mark. I have no visible leaks, I don't smell anything odd, I checked the oil for a creamy look. I don't know where it is going??? Please Help!

Also the coolant is kind of brown

 

Brown coolant is not good....virtually zero corrosion protection, no water pump lubrication, no freeze protection. All vehicles, including the XJ, need a little TLC once in a while. Leak is probably small but continuous....may need a pressure test to find it.

 

Classic sign that you have a cracked head, notorious for the 00+ 4.0L. If you get to it soon it will only cost you a head repair- if let go for too long you'll damage all your bearings and will need a complete rebuild or new motor.

 

is this true even if the oil doesn't smell like coolant

 

Pull your oilfiller cap and lokk down between cly. #3 an 4 and look for a crack or coolant. Thats what happen to my 2ooo I bought an aftermarket head and new bolts and head gasket and replaced the head and was good to go. I also replaced parts like waterpump timeing chain ,tstat and etc .

 

I am really quite attentive to it I have had it about a year and am big on maintinence, i just spent a large sump of money because of a rear end problem would flushing the rad help and btw after it has run for a while if i turn it off then turn it back on it has a rough idle

 

Oh and for everyone s info bad heads go from late 1999 to early 2001 lets try to get this info right for everyone.But remeber all jeeps can crack a head just like any other auto.

 

I had a small hole in my radiator, and in one of the hoses. And that is what was making me lose coolant....also my water/coolant mix was brown as well. So I flushed it clean and took my XJ to a mechanic...good as new now

 

Give it atry hope it is a simple thing for you.g/l

 

how much does all this cost bc im in high school and wanna make this last through college

 

bump

 

would it help if i told you it never fully drains just to the add mark

 

anything at all

 

ugh i am having the same problem with my '96.....it all started when my electric aux. fan quit working......replaced that and the radiator, thermostat, waterpump, and all the hoses that subsequently suffered catastrophic failure......so i have a brand new cooling system.....can't find any leaks so i think the head is cracked just a little bit.....i lost a gallon of coolant in about 1500 miles

hope yours turns out ok....i'll let you know what ends up being wrong with mine after i take it to the shop today.....i'm in college and dont have the tools here to dig into the motor

 

oh that sucks can u smell it in your oil or out the exhaust