What is normal coolant loss?

[waypoint]

It's a 2021 Wrangler Sahara 3.6L with 25K miles, bought new in July 2021. That winter, I noticed the engine coolant reservoir was ~1/2 inch below the minimum level mark. Topped it off with 50/50 Mopar coolant and distilled water and it stayed at min for the rest of the season, by the spring oil change it was just a few mm over the min mark and stayed there all season when checked.

Today during oil change, I see it's low by about the same amount and took 16oz of 50/50 coolant mix to bring the level back to the min mark. I'm accustomed to seeing coolant cold level drop during cold weather, but this seems a bit much. I'll re-check level at operating temp to ensure it's not overfilled.

I'm in NJ, seasonal temp range is usually 90's in summer to teens in winter. What is considered normal coolant loss?

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[Rhinebeck01]

Obviously, keep an eye on it... but is pretty typical to see..

Here is a forum thread where other owner's are talking fluid level..
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/engine-coolant-level.7387/

 

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Sounds about right on the 3.6
It's generally not the coolant part of the coolant but the water part of the coolant that steams away very, very slowly during normal use
Any faster and start watching it closely

 

[waypoint]

Thanks for the link, didn't find that thread when I searched. Read all 7 pages and this appears to be normal variation, I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[waypoint]

Sounds about right on the 3.6
It's generally not the coolant part of the coolant but the water part of the coolant that steams away very, very slowly during normal use
Any faster and start watching it closely

Good point, I noticed crusty coolant above the cap o-ring which indicates evaporation. Cleaned up the o-ring and lubricated with new coolant before re-capping.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

It's a 2021 Wrangler Sahara 3.6L with 25K miles, bought new in July 2021. That winter, I noticed the engine coolant reservoir was ~1/2 inch below the minimum level mark. Topped it off with 50/50 Mopar coolant and distilled water and it stayed at min for the rest of the season, by the spring oil change it was just a few mm over the min mark and stayed there all season when checked.

Today during oil change, I see it's low by about the same amount and took 16oz of 50/50 coolant mix to bring the level back to the min mark. I'm accustomed to seeing coolant cold level drop during cold weather, but this seems a bit much. I'll re-check level at operating temp to ensure it's not overfilled.

I'm in NJ, seasonal temp range is usually 90's in summer to teens in winter. What is considered normal coolant loss?

Not sure if you typoed or mis-spoke ... but if you are adding Mopar 68163849AB 10 Year/150,000 Mile Coolant 50/50 Premixed - Embittered , Do NOT add distilled water as it is already diluted/ premixed...
With the Mopar concentrate offering you do add distilled water.

 

[waypoint]

Thanks, the 1 gallon jug I bought at the dealership is labeled Concentrate and the back label specifies 50/50 dilution. I'd have preferred premix and asked for it, concentrate was all they carried. Had to buy a gallon of distilled water as our other vehicles use premix.

Not sure if you typoed or mis-spoke ... but if you are adding Mopar 68163849AB 10 Year/150,000 Mile Coolant 50/50 Premixed - Embittered , Do NOT add distilled water as it is already diluted/ premixed...
With the Mopar concentrate offering you do add distilled water.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Thanks, the 1 gallon jug I bought at the dealership is labeled Concentrate and the back label specifies 50/50 dilution. I'd have preferred premix and asked for it, concentrate was all they carried. Had to buy a gallon of distilled water as our other vehicles use premix.

IF you want to by premix, next time buy here as the price is aok and most always avail...
https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Year-M...13-8f3f-515f90b146fa&pd_rd_i=B017DP43ZC&psc=1

 

[LuvHydro]

It's a 2021 Wrangler Sahara 3.6L with 25K miles, bought new in July 2021. That winter, I noticed the engine coolant reservoir was ~1/2 inch below the minimum level mark. Topped it off with 50/50 Mopar coolant and distilled water and it stayed at min for the rest of the season, by the spring oil change it was just a few mm over the min mark and stayed there all season when checked.

Today during oil change, I see it's low by about the same amount and took 16oz of 50/50 coolant mix to bring the level back to the min mark. I'm accustomed to seeing coolant cold level drop during cold weather, but this seems a bit much. I'll re-check level at operating temp to ensure it's not overfilled.

I'm in NJ, seasonal temp range is usually 90's in summer to teens in winter. What is considered normal coolant loss?

I see you have the 3.6, but just for reference some of us have experienced mysterious initial and ongoing coolant loss with the 2.0LT. It seems many need to add a significant amount after a few thousand miles, then the loss tapers off.

Mine seemed to stop losing coolant around 15K or so, but still continues to go down ever so slowly.

Our coolant reservoir is opaque, so it more of an issue for us unless ones checks it constantly (which sadly, I do now out of paranoia)

We 2.0'ers also have a catastrophic coolant loss issue tied to a couple factory mis-torqued bolts to add to our plight.

I'll be interested to hear how yours in doing in 6 months. Good luck.

 

[blnewt]

Our 3.6 has a very slight coolant smell for the last 18 months, I've had to add about 1/2" (50/50 mix of Mopar coolant) twice in that time period. I've read all I could regarding that issue and it seems that that OEM radiator can be prone to leaking at the upper or lower hose connection area. I can't visibly see any signs of encrusted coolant around any hose or connection throughout the engine bay. It's frustrating but smelling a little coolant is much preferred over smelling nothing and losing coolant, at least it's not a head gasket issue or something else inside the motor

 

[Barney392]

Our 3.6 has a very slight coolant smell for the last 18 months, I've had to add about 1/2" (50/50 mix of Mopar coolant) twice in that time period. I've read all I could regarding that issue and it seems that that OEM radiator can be prone to leaking at the upper or lower hose connection area. I can't visibly see any signs of encrusted coolant around any hose or connection throughout the engine bay. It's frustrating but smelling a little coolant is much preferred over smelling nothing and losing coolant, at least it's not a head gasket issue or something else inside the motor

Check your 'weep hole' on the water pump. Hard to see but that was my problem with a 3.6l. Water pump had to be replaced.

 

[blnewt]

Check your 'weep hole' on the water pump. Hard to see but that was my problem with a 3.6l. Water pump had to be replaced.

I have checked that a while back but will get back in there w/ better lighting and do some more investigating. Thx.

 

[The Fixer]

Good point, I noticed crusty coolant above the cap o-ring which indicates evaporation. Cleaned up the o-ring and lubricated with new coolant before re-capping.

I've noticed the same on my wife's JLU. It's an '18 with 37K on it. I filled it to the top of the seam on the reservoir at the last oil change near the end of the summer, and just checked it over the weekend since it was due for it's next oil change. Coolant level was still near the seam. I've also noticed an occasional whiff of coolant, especially after shutting it down and walking past the grill, but still haven't found an actual leak.

 

[4a4c55]

Sounds about right on the 3.6
It's generally not the coolant part of the coolant but the water part of the coolant that steams away very, very slowly during normal use
Any faster and start watching it closely

That's very interesting. From where does the steam escape? What process distills the coolant away from the water in the mix?

 

[Bob Burd]

Not everyone knows the plastic coolant tank is pressurized, it is not just an unpressurized overflow tank. The cap needs to be put on pretty tight to keep coolant from leaking when hot and under high pressure.

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