Coolant leak

[Mayor]

I've had a slight leak for several months- Takes a while for the level to go down and I never see the temp gauge go above my 'normal' range. I noticed recently some coolant on the forward right side wheel well -it appears to be dripping from under the battery- but it is not noticeable looking from the top and the battery 'tray' is dry. The resivoir does not appar to be leaking.
Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.
Thanks,

J.
1995 RRC

[OkieRover]

Are you sure it's not blowing past the expansion tank cap?

When these motors have head gasket problems it pressurizes the system and sometimes it blows past the cap.

But before you panic. Check all the connections on the expansion tank and look for pin hole leaks. While the motor is warm and running.

It is pretty easy to remove the tank and check the hose connections.

[lwbblue]

The reservoir is known to crack and leak only under pressure, so you don't see leakage while parked, but you can see traces after a run. My leak was at the seam

Geneo
95 lwb

[RageRover]

Ditto on the tank issue. Also check upper and lower hose connections and hoses themselves, also seals in the cooling system.

Goddamn, with the sudden increase of people's RRC's having cooling system problems, makes me wonder if I'm next.

No offense to those who have the problems of course.

[Kevin88RRC]

Originally Posted by RageRover

Goddamn, with the sudden increase of people's RRC's having cooling system problems, makes me wonder if I'm next.

No offense to those who have the problems of course.

Don't worry... I'm already next. But if you want you can be after me.

Mines either the dreaded head gasket or hopefully a clogged radiator.
I'll have a thread soon when I get back to Maine and have some time (and hopefully some $$$) to fix her.

[Greg M]

From what I've read, ALL engines that used the 14 bolt head designed have a head gasket problem to some degree. The lower 4 bolts tweaked the gasket just enough on the top side to cause it to leak. So, I hate to say this, but every engine out there (pre 96) is experiencing it to some degree. some need immediate attention but all will need it sooner or later because it is killing the detergents in your oil and kiling your engine.

[nfrey2]

Tank issue here, mine spilt at the seems whilst out in the woods, bypassed it for the drive home and blew out the water pump seal. From what I hear they are know to get old and brittle and crack after about 10years. Just like the radiator plug i reccomend upgrading to the clear ones used in the discos, much higher quality

[jeffreydv]

Check the lower radiator hose. I had 2 of mine go where the small hose is 'welded' to the large one. It is a tough leak to find unless you move the hose around while the system is pressurized. I thought my leak was from the tank so I went out and bought a newer style which I have yet to install.

[91hunter]

It definitely sounds like you have a leaky tank. Put a rag under it for a day, and see if you end up with lots of fluid. If so, its easy to fix.

For about $80, you get a new tank. Put a pan on the ground below the tank. Remove three nuts holding the tank in place. Loosen the hose clamps. Now - once you pull the hoses, have something that you can block them up with - rubber stoppers, a rag, etc. You will also want to do the same for the tank (unless you siphon out the coolant before you remove it). Then its a snap to put the new one back in, and refill with fluid.

The new ones are usually white/clear so that you can see your coolant level without removing the cap/sensor. Easy repair, don't wait like I did for months.

[Disco Mike]

Major,
You need to have some one pressure test your coolant system to verify the leak. In the mean time don't let your coolant get low or your engine hot.
Mike

[Mayor]

Thanks for all of the replies. Found the leak....it's the tank.
Thanks 91hunter for the repair info.



J.

1995 RRC