Hey everyone, I am pretty new to the jeep community, got my 2000 TJ about three months ago with 114k miles and I just pulled the trans out to put in a new heavy duty clutch system. So far I have only driven it about a couple miles or so with the new clutch. I let it sit for one day and I come home to find that the radiator is leaking, a puddle about a foot wide directly under the left side of the radiator. All hoses are dry and not leaking, seems to be coming from the top left corner of the radiator. I opened the cap and found it to be filled with rust deposits and rusty colored coolant. I can't help but think that somehow the clutch job effected the radiator but that just makes no sense right? Could just be coincidence but I had no leaks before the I pulled the trans. Anyone know if I should replace the radiator entirely, or get one of those flush systems and hope for the best? All help is greatly appreciated!!
Radiator Leak on 4.0
- Thread starter John Madonna77
- Start date
I wouldn't mess around with it. Replace it with a Mopar Radiator.
You're correct, it makes no sense. Changing a clutch doesn't cause a radiator leak, but I get you....our older TJs will mess with your head like that.
Agree on the Mopar radiator, and it's fouled, do the whole process and flush the system while it's out, get all the fluid out, you have rust in the system, you could have clogs etc that will be chronic if you don't get it flushed all out of the block, heater core you name it.
Agree on the Mopar radiator, and it's fouled, do the whole process and flush the system while it's out, get all the fluid out, you have rust in the system, you could have clogs etc that will be chronic if you don't get it flushed all out of the block, heater core you name it.
It's possible that putting the clutch in did the radiator in, but it's due for replacement anyway. You are lucky that it didn't happen in the sticks! As @Rich1961 says, replace it along with the other components. You'll still want to flush the block out. Check out the Resources sub-forum; lots of good stuff.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-flush-the-cooling-system-on-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.1737/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/jeep-wrangler-tj-cooling-system-overhaul-faq.3397/post-43776
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-flush-the-cooling-system-on-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.1737/
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/jeep-wrangler-tj-cooling-system-overhaul-faq.3397/post-43776
The picture of the radiator appears to show a leaking seal between the upper tank and the radiator core. There are generally a couple circular medallions with numbers cast into the radiator top (IF it's a Mopar radiator); just wondering how old the radiator is.... Could you take a picture of the medallions and post a picture. Thanks...
Andrew Mac
Member
Welcome to the world of Jeep ownership! It's 20 years old! Replace the radiator with genuine Mopar, don't waste your money on the after markets.
Not knowing the history of the 114k miles, the past maintenance provided and skill of the maintenance providers, don't be alarmed as things go array under the hood.
A 2000 TJ is easy to maintain properly and is affordable to bring up to highly dependable. Good luck!
Not knowing the history of the 114k miles, the past maintenance provided and skill of the maintenance providers, don't be alarmed as things go array under the hood.
A 2000 TJ is easy to maintain properly and is affordable to bring up to highly dependable. Good luck!
Make sure you only replace that radiator with an OE Mopar radiator.
This thread will be of help to you since if it were me, I would overhaul the cooling system at the same time:
Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ
This thread will be of help to you since if it were me, I would overhaul the cooling system at the same time:
Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ
All of the radiators are interchangeable to my knowledge. The kicker is that if you have an automatic, you need a radiator for an automatic as it has the provision for the transmission cooling lines.
However, if you have a manual transmission, you can use either manual or automatic radiators (the automatic version just wouldn't use the cooling lines).
I looked into this recently though because on my 2003 it was saying that a radiator for a 05-06 wouldn't fit. However, it does indeed fit, the part numbers just say they won't fit for some stupid reason. It's a bunch of nonsense, and the only difference between all the radiators (and hence the different part numbers) have to do with the fittings for the automatic transmission fluid lines.
Thank you all for the tremendous help, looks like i will be purchasing an OEM radiator and flushing the rest of the system
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
Could be because of the differences in the way the the transmission lines hook up. Older one had the barb fittings, newer ones had that clip thing that holds the metal fittings into the radiator. I'm not sure off the top of my head what year they changed it.
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