Coolant Leak / Radiator Replacement Question

[redsyphon]

I've been trying to track down a slow coolant leak for the past 2 months, and today I finally saw a spot on the driveway.

It looks like the leak is coming from the radiator. I can see an active drip from the drivers side lower corner of it (image below).

My question is, for a driveway repair; Is it worth the hassle, or should I pay a bit extra and just let a fully equipped shop do it?

I'm pretty handy and do all my own suspension and electrical work, but the last time I swapped a radiator out was 20+ years ago on a '97 TJ 4-banger and you could almost stand up in that engine bay... the JLs are a bit more cramped.

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[GATORB8]

Looking at Alldata for the 2.0, it doesn't look too bad. They list the Radiator R&R at 2.1 hours, as long as that's the only line that applies, and not the seperate times listed for the hoses, I'd be very tempted to let a shop do it, just so I wouldn't have to screw with spilling coolant all over the garage.

 

[Midwestjeepguy]

FWIW - A few months ago, I had a dealership replace my radiator for this exact leak and it came out to around $900. That's all in (parts, labor, tax, etc.). I figured if the book called for 2 hours at a shop, then it would be half a day for me since it would be the first time I was doing it on a JL. As much as it pains me to pay someone else to do the work sometimes, I simply don't have the spare time that I used to (couple kids and a wife who works lots of evenings and weekends in the medical field). I went to a dealership because I have an extended powertrain warranty and didn't want them to find a reason to void it. You could probably find a non-dealership shop to do it for cheaper, but obviously make sure they are reputable.

 

[LazyJL]

It seems that when draining coolant, it spills over a wide area, and is tough to contain all of it.
To eliminate this, use an inexpensive concrete mixing tray from Home Depot to catch it..
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasgad-20-9-Gal-Black-Large-PVC-Concrete-Mixing-Tub-887102C/205451585

 

[redsyphon]

It seems that when draining coolant, it spills over a wide area, and is tough to contain all of it.
To eliminate this, use an inexpensive concrete mixing tray from Home Depot to catch it..
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasgad-20-9-Gal-Black-Large-PVC-Concrete-Mixing-Tub-887102C/205451585

Thanks for the tip. I'll plan on it.

I've got a Mishimoto coming in as a direct replacement. Griffin doesn't seem to have any past 2017 for direct fits.

I'll plan for a 6hr job and a few beers. ?

 

[Midwestjeepguy]

It seems that when draining coolant, it spills over a wide area, and is tough to contain all of it.
To eliminate this, use an inexpensive concrete mixing tray from Home Depot to catch it..
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasgad-20-9-Gal-Black-Large-PVC-Concrete-Mixing-Tub-887102C/205451585

Man I wish the dealership would have covered the alternator and battery then did a light hosing of the entire engine after the repair. There was coolant everywhere. Didn't think to look when I picked it up and when I got home the burning coolant smell was awful. Maybe they were sloppy taking it out or maybe it's hard not to spill it, but either way it was everywhere. Spent an hour or so cleaning it up.

 

[mwilk012]

The job takes about 30 minutes total. Very easy.

 

[JLfromCA]

How can you tell what motor it has ? The OP didn’t say.

 

[Jared1956]

Make sure you burp the system after the swap. Run it with the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens and the coolant level drops, refill and close it up. Replacing a radiator isn’t a big deal unless you do it wrong and you overheat the engine and blow a head gasket or warp a head. Then it becomes really expensive. My advice is if you have never done one, I don’t know that I would gamble my diy skills on such a new vehicle.

 

[mwilk012]

How can you tell what motor it has ? The OP didn’t say.

This is the 3.6 pentastar section of the forum.

 

[mwilk012]

Make sure you burp the system after the swap. Run it with the radiator cap off until the thermostat opens and the coolant level drops, refill and close it up. Replacing a radiator isn’t a big deal unless you do it wrong and you overheat the engine and blow a head gasket or warp a head. Then it becomes really expensive. My advice is if you have never done one, I don’t know that I would gamble my diy skills on such a new vehicle.

Have you actually looked at the cooling system on the JL? There is no radiator cap. There is only the pressurized coolant reservoir at the high point of the system. The system bleeds itself of air very well.

 

[Jared1956]

Have you actually looked at the cooling system on the JL? There is no radiator cap. There is only the pressurized coolant reservoir at the high point of the system. The system bleeds itself of air very well.

Yeah I have no idea of the specifics of these systems, but the thought still applies. The cooling system is a critical component and is unforgiving of errors. I’ve seen reverse rotation water pumps installed on applications that needed standard, I’ve seen thermostats installed upside down, I’ve seen belts routed incorrectly, I’ve seen heater hoses reversed, etc etc during my 3 decades of working on junk.

 

[redsyphon]

Appreciate all the tips. I did try to burp the system post install, just because I'm used to doing that on older vehicles. I didn't really have any way of knowing if the system had purged any air left in it to be honest though.

I let her run and topped it off when needed over the course of a good 30 minutes. That was 1 week ago, and I've had to add a little bit here and there as I drive it.

Since then, I've just watched the Temps whilst driving for both Coolant and Oil. Each stay between 200 and 220 (i.e. within range) on a low 70 degree day with stop and go driving.

There's been no more active leaks and the Mishimoto radiator was an easy drop-in unit. The OEM radiator was leaking slowly down the entire driver's side edge. So, it was 100% time to replace it.

 

[JLfromCA]

Looking at Alldata for the 2.0, it doesn't look too bad. They list the Radiator R&R at 2.1 hours, as long as that's the only line that applies, and not the seperate times listed for the hoses, I'd be very tempted to let a shop do it, just so I wouldn't have to screw with spilling coolant all over the garage.

This is the 3.6 pentastar section of the forum.

 

[GATORB8]

That's why I clarified that I was quoting 2.0 numbers.

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