I have had an intermittent leak in my radiator for a while now. Sometimes it happens regularly, sometimes it doesn’t happen for weeks at a time.
The leak manifests itself in showing antifreeze pooling in the bottom of the radiator shroud. If it’s leaking and the engine is running, I also sometimes see the fan sprays it everywhere. It’s not a pouring leak, but it does drip a bit, then stops. I also sometimes see a small amount of antifreeze along the top of the radiator.
A few weeks back, I thought I found it and replaced the upper radiator hose. After that it was fine for weeks so I thought I had nailed it. However a few weeks later it started leaking again, so that wasn’t it.
My suspicion is that the top of the radiator has some small crack on the top and that certain heat or angle (e.g. my driveway is sloped) and it leaks. I’ve attached a picture from the top of the radiator after the last leak and there is fluid there. (Hard to see since the picture is dark.). So, I think it’s time to replace it. It’s the original 21 year old radiator, so it’s peobably time. But I wanted to get a few thoughts from you guys here too.
As far as which to replace it with, I have read enough threads on here that convince me to go Mopar and keep it as stock as possible.
I have a 1997 TJ 4.0L with 5-speed. Based on that, I think this is the right one for me even though Amazon says it’s not right: Mopar 5503 7652AA, Radiator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049EH4AC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Anything else I should consider or investigate before I hit “buy” on Amazon?
The leak manifests itself in showing antifreeze pooling in the bottom of the radiator shroud. If it’s leaking and the engine is running, I also sometimes see the fan sprays it everywhere. It’s not a pouring leak, but it does drip a bit, then stops. I also sometimes see a small amount of antifreeze along the top of the radiator.
A few weeks back, I thought I found it and replaced the upper radiator hose. After that it was fine for weeks so I thought I had nailed it. However a few weeks later it started leaking again, so that wasn’t it.
My suspicion is that the top of the radiator has some small crack on the top and that certain heat or angle (e.g. my driveway is sloped) and it leaks. I’ve attached a picture from the top of the radiator after the last leak and there is fluid there. (Hard to see since the picture is dark.). So, I think it’s time to replace it. It’s the original 21 year old radiator, so it’s peobably time. But I wanted to get a few thoughts from you guys here too.
As far as which to replace it with, I have read enough threads on here that convince me to go Mopar and keep it as stock as possible.
I have a 1997 TJ 4.0L with 5-speed. Based on that, I think this is the right one for me even though Amazon says it’s not right: Mopar 5503 7652AA, Radiator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049EH4AC/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Anything else I should consider or investigate before I hit “buy” on Amazon?
