Coolant is leaking from the bottom radiator hose

[CJP04]

Another day, another fix! Hope this one is easy. There appears to be a small leak coming from the bottom radiator hose. A drop falls once every 7 seconds or so and I've had to refill the coolant reservoir.

I assume the seal where the bottom radiator hose connects to the radiator is shot. Am I right in this assumption? Any and all opinions are welcome, as I'm learning for this one!

 

[Chris]

One of two things is happening:

1. The best case scenario is that it's just your radiator hose that needs replacing. Replace it, and MAKE SURE to use the factory hose clamp!
2. The worst case scenario is that your lower radiator has a crack in it right around that area.

I'm going to say it's probably just the hose, but you'll have to take it off and inspect to be certain!

 

[CJP04]

One of two things is happening:

1. The best case scenario is that it's just your radiator hose that needs replacing. Replace it, and MAKE SURE to use the factory hose clamp!
2. The worst case scenario is that your lower radiator has a crack in it right around that area.

I'm going to say it's probably just the hose, but you'll have to take it off and inspect to be certain!

Thanks for that information, @Chris!

Forgive me, as I'm learning on this one. So, if it is the radiator hose that needs replacing, did it just like lose its integrity over the years, and even with the clamp, couldn't create a tight enough seal?

If I take that bottom radiator hose off, should I expect a lot of coolant to come out or just whatever can be drained from the engine?

 

[Chris]

Thanks for that information, @Chris!

Forgive me, as I'm learning on this one. So, if it is the radiator hose that needs replacing, did it just like lose its integrity over the years, and even with the clamp, couldn't create a tight enough seal?

If I take that bottom radiator hose off, should I expect a lot of coolant to come out or just whatever can be drained from the engine?

Yes, you'd just need to replace that bottom radiator hose. They go bad over time (just like anything) and can spring tiny (or large) leaks. It's the rubber that degrades over time from all the heat cycles. Completely normal.

If you take that bottom radiator hose off you will literally get doused in coolant. You have to drain the radiator first following the method in the FSM or this how-to guide: How to flush the cooling system on your Jeep Wrangler TJ.

After it's drained, then you can go about replacing the hose. Then you'll have to fill it up again, in which case you'll want to use a good HOAT coolant (it must be an HOAT coolant) such as OE Mopar coolant or Zero G-05 coolant.

 

[CJP04]

Appreciate you taking the time to give me the general gist of it.

Once the coolant is drained and the hose is repaired, should I run water through the system first to determine if the leak has been fixed? Don't want to put coolant back in after fixing the hose, only to find out the hose wasn't the problem.

 

[cliffish]

flush with distilled water only as well as when you mix with antifreeze. 6 gallons will give you enough to flush the system twice with just the water and do a 50/50 fill. I also disconnected the heater core hoses to flush the core. Only refill the system with antifreeze after it flushes out clean, if really rusty use something like thermocure for the first flush.

 

[JHD1827]

One of two things is happening:

1. The best case scenario is that it's just your radiator hose that needs replacing. Replace it, and MAKE SURE to use the factory hose clamp!
2. The worst case scenario is that your lower radiator has a crack in it right around that area.

I'm going to say it's probably just the hose, but you'll have to take it off and inspect to be certain!

I know this is old but this is where my search brought me. If the lower plastic part of the radiator is cracked does that mean a whole new radiator?

I started with tightening the hose clamp and I'm going to check to see if that did anything this evening but It looks like the plastic neck is cracked where it meets the body.

 

[Chris]

I know this is old but this is where my search brought me. If the lower plastic part of the radiator is cracked does that mean a whole new radiator?

I started with tightening the hose clamp and I'm going to check to see if that did anything this evening but It looks like the plastic neck is cracked where it meets the body.

You could try to repair it with plastic weld, but I wouldn’t trust a repair like that in the long term or on the trails.

 

[JHD1827]

Thanks Chris. I tightend the clamp and it looks like that stoped the slow leak. Thankfully the plastic does not apears to be cracked. I kept reading last night and it looks like I should get a factory constant tension clamp vs the worm gear clamp that is currently on there so that's next on the list.

 

[LittleGiant]

Glad you were able to get it fixed. Just a thought for you, that coolant looks pretty brown, you might to consider flushing the system. Super easy to do and only costs a few jugs of coolant.

Just my 2 cents trying to help you.