Hey guys so my 99 jeep Xj is being a pain right now. I've been battling this dreaded coolant leak only after I turn it off and been driving it for approx 15 min or whatever. It's leaking from the upper hose where the hose attaches to the radiator. I've replaced both the hose and radiator due to this and no luck . Sometimes it'll leak and sometimes it won't I've changed the clamp and also reposition it no luck yet. And I checked the radiator for cracks and no cracks nor pin holes in the hose . It leak in between the hose and radiator neck on the upper main hose. I'm lost but I also noticed when this does happen the radiator hose is hard like a brick maybe too much pressure in the system. And the hose is the weak link... Sorry for the long post just posting much info as possible....

 

Water pump. The tube coming from the top of the water pump. Probably rusty.

 

Not that hose the upper ra is hose that connects to the radiator and thermostat housing... It's leaking from the radiator side . Leaks from between the hose and radiator spout I don't want to tighten the clamp more it might crack the plastice radiator neck spout

 

Could be radiator cap ? over flow hose ? Radiator spout mating surface with cap bent ?

 

I started using Gates thermoplastic clamps when I had issues with coolant weeping out from the hoses when the temperature dropped below 0. I too feared tightening the hose clamps down even tighter than I had them. I've had no issues since switching over to these clamps. They are a one time use only, you heat gun them and they shrink down.

http://www.gates.com/products/automo...grip-sb-clamps

 

Sorry I didn't see the location of the leak you mentioned. My money is on radiator cap. Try a new clamp maybe.

 

And use these.

 

I used those gates powegrip clamps too, they work great! (And look great too)
The only problem is that they are one-time use: you will have to cut them off if you need to make a repair or something, and they're not cheap. I got those clamps for all hoses and no leaks (been through 2 winters).
But as long as you have your regular worm clamp cranked down, I don't think the hose clamp is your problem. I bet it's something else in the cooling system.
"Hard like a brick" radiator hose? I've never heard that one, especially with a new hose and all...

 

I am wondering if you have a case of the "Winter Leaks". Since you seemed to have replaced what you thought was the problem and it is that time of year. Have a '96. Out of the blue one winter is was leaking when it had not been before even in the winter. From the heater control valve. Just drips nothing crazy. Tightened the clamps a little here and there. Would kinda stop for a bit. When spring came it stopped. Haven't seen it since even in the winter. Thinking all the plastic, rubber, and metal contracting and expanding with the cold and heat made this happen. They make this stuff called Indian Head Shellac. Can be useful if this is the case. Be aware that if you use it getting the hose off will be tough. From what I understand the stuff is almost like glue.

http://www.permatex.com/products-2/p...ompound-detail

 

I agree about screw type hose clamps, not ideal for securing radiator hoses. They do not have uniform compression, can be easily overtightenend, and can pinch a hole in hoses.

 

Hard rad hose means too much pressure in the system,or possibly air stuck in that section.

 

Just use grease on all your hose connections.
It helps seal the fitting,& makes it easier to remove & replace.

 

Okay guys sorry for late reply been working crazy hours. So I did a pressure check on the radiator and held pressure at 16lbs boosted it up to 18lbs and coolant started to seep a little out the hose upper hose. Butvtge weird thing if I wiggle the hose close to radiator the pressure fluxuates and drops pressure so I'm thinking the hose ain't properly sealed. And at 16lbs both hoses upper and lower are hard like normal so does that rule out the tstat. What he guy opinions and on the worm clamp should I get a different one like others suggested cause all my other hoses are held by them type clamps and no leaks from them... And on the hoses under pressure without the tester and cap on I can squeeze them they are firm not like a brick like I stated eairler

 

Yes try changing your clamp.

 

Changed the clamp seems to of solved the issue time will tell