Is this a radiator issue?

Kyra913

New Member
Original poster
Joined
May 15, 2017
Messages
4
Location
Overland Park, KS, United States
So I had been having an issue with my 06 LJR the last 2 times I ran my AC, my coolant would boil, once about a month ago and then last week. Never happened unless the AC was running. I changed out my radiator cap on Friday and it seemed to have fixed the problem. Well I drove it down to the lake and back over the weekend (6hrs round trip, didn't use the AC) with no issues other than on the way home it feeling a little more rough or grindy (can’t think of a better term) when I pushed on the gas going over 60mph, but figured maybe it was just in my head. I watched it the whole way and it never got hot or went over the 210 mark on the gauge. Well last night on my way home from work I started smelling coolant, got home and saw it was leaking out from underneath so I opened the hood and it was sprayed EVERYWHERE, even on the outside on the fender! But I couldn’t figure out from where, hosed it off and let it idle to dry. Still couldn’t see a leak, so I proceeded to tap on the gas and immediately heard a hiss, when I came around to the front it was bubbling up out of the seam between the sticker and the fan cover where those little metal brackets/latches are and then started smoking. I’m guessing the radiator cracked, was told that it could be from the pressure build up due to the new cap? But if so can't see where, the few times i've seen a cracked radiator it was on the top or side of the top, but there's nothing visible, like I said, it's coming through the seam. I couldn’t get a video in time of it bubbling/spraying out, but this is right after and where it was coming out of. Could this be something other than a radiator issue, could replacing the thermostat and flushing possibly fix the issue or is that wishful thinking?

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Your radiator is obviously cracked and needs replaced. You want to go with an OEM radiator.

It's 13 years old. So not a shock that it's time to be replaced.

Make sure the cap is the correct pressure and type.

While you're at it, hoses, thermostat (OEM spec), and maybe even a new water pump would be in order.

And to complete the cooling system refresh, check your fan clutch.
 
Very common for a new radiator cap to stress the system and break components that were close to failing anyway. That's just how it is. Get a new radiator and keep your eyes open for other leaks.
 
Replace with a new OEM radiator, thermostat, check the hoses and check your water pump too.
 
Your radiator is obviously cracked and needs replaced. You want to go with an OEM radiator.

It's 13 years old. So not a shock that it's time to be replaced.

Make sure the cap is the correct pressure and type.

While you're at it, hoses, thermostat (OEM spec), and maybe even a new water pump would be in order.

And to complete the cooling system refresh, check your fan clutch.
The hoses were all replaced when I had to replace the engine a little over a year ago and the water pump was replaced right before that. As for the cap, I just went to advanced and they looked up my Jeep and gave me one...do I need double check it and where would I find that info (pressure, type, etc.)? I also bought a thermostat on Friday, but didn't have time to replace it so I will be doing that as well. Thanks for the input.