kjbarton44

Hey Cherokee forum users! new to this forum after being a reddit user for over 6 years. Not sure what the rules are and I am sure to be misusing this site in some way so go easy on me lol.

Just bought an 01 Cherokee Sport and have been chasing a coolant leak for a few weeks now. Swapped rad cap, thermostat, and have no external leaks. Got it pressure checked and it was good. No clear signs of head gasket issues (white smoke, coolant in the engine, milky oil on dipstick) no signs of a bad heater core and am just left feeling desparate as I just got it and I need it for the snow!! I thought I stopped it after the thermostat swap but 3 days later I noticed the rad overflow hose was cut! The levels stayed the same so I thought I was in the clear...replaced the line and am leaking again. Hearing some strange clicking that I originally thought was a sticky caliper and am now paranoid is knocking. The engine doesnt overheat or leak and seems to run great until I check the resevoir. Im at the point where Idk if its ****ty brakes I'm hearing or knocking when I slow to a stop. I am waiting on a new block testing kit to officially rule out the head gasket but wonder if there's anything else I might be missing. Leaky freeze plus usually leave a puddle correct? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: I will add that I do have a little trouble starting her up in the morning and have to give it a little gas to get it going. It has 159k miles and its been about 25 degrees Fahrenheit for the past month where I'm at.

evil_goat

Sometimes the fluid leaks only when the engine is hot, and running. Then it might fall onto something hot and evaporate. For me, I had a leak because the hose wasn't tight enough, but it would only leak when the engine was running. So I would try inspecting for leaks when the engine is hot.

kjbarton44

I have watched closely from above for any leaks and didnt see anything obvious. Any major areas from below I should watch out for?

ijeeep

I'd do a UV dye check. A dye leak detection kit complete with 1 oz of dye a UV flashlight and fancy glasses cost me like 8 bucks at the parts store last time.

Roler

how much are we actually talking about?

GanderThePanda

I agree with evil goat. The leak is most likely happening once you have pressure in the system after getting up to operating temp. let it run for 30 mins and check for leaks.

ijeeep

Me or him ?
Me ounces at a time. Had to refill overflow weekly.

​​​​​​Cooling system pressure tests and exhaust gas into coolant leak detection tests results were negative.

Hairline crack in the corner of the radiator tank when hot detected by UV dye inspection method.

Roler

The OP.

RocketMouse

^^ this...if you think you've checked everywhere and can't find it... these kits are pretty reasonable cost-wise. And if you have a leak, it will glow really bright with the special glasses in the kit.

Randy Bobani

So you're saying that you've diagnosed a coolant leak via decreasing coolant level in the reservoir? And it sounds like the level is dropping pretty significantly?

You have a 2001. The head is likely cracked. Those 00'-01' 0331 Head Castings are well known for cracking. The best way to diagnose this condition is an Oil Analysis. Go over to Blackstone Labs and order some test kits. They will tell you definitively if you have coolant in the oil. I had a cracked 0331 head on a 00' Cherokee. There was no milky emulsification under the valve cover and even after I removed the head, the crack was invisible until it was magnafluxed.

https://www.blackstone-labs.com/prod...5mj0ijt55))%2f

RockyMtn96XJ

Does water run through that part of the head, where the crack is in this picture? If so, then I'd agree that the coolant is just leaking into the combustion chamber and then obviously evaporating on its way out the rear pipe.

kjbarton44

I'm filling it up every couple of days. I drive about 1.5 hrs a day.

kjbarton44

I will definitely be doing this. Thanks for the info. Were you able to repair the crack?

kjbarton44

Also I added video clip of my engine running last night and am hearing clicking that I hope isnt knock. Can anyone enlighten me?

cruiser54

Pull the dipstick or look in the oil filler hole.

Look like a milkshake?