Weird Coolant leak

[Biggage]

Ok, thanks in advance for any insight on my problem.

Well i have a 98 cherokee limited 6 cyl. For quite a while now I've noticed a coolant leak up near the radiator. This doesn't seem to be a huge leak but a leak none the less. The weird thing though to me is that my water temp is never hot. A constant 210. But as of late ive been noticing that my blower inside the car was blowing just warm air, not hot air. Obviously a sign that the coolant system is running low. So when i add antifreeze the problem of the cool air goes away but the leak comes back.

Its obvious that there is fluid coming from inside the engine compartment and i can tell that its somewhere near the radiatior or consensor.

The weird part of the story now, After i noticed my air was blowing cool instead of hot i let it cool down. Then i decided to check the fluid in the radiator by popping the cap. When doing so i notice that its full to the top with green healthy looking fluid. GO FIGURE! But whenever i add fluid to stop the cool air problem my reseviour tank immediatly diminishes. The thermostat cant be stunk closed cuz the water temp would get hot. And it never runs hot.

I DONT GET IT! I have pretty good car knowledge and this one is blowing my head apart. Hopefully someone knows whats going on.

BTW i know that its a small leak but ive even let this go on and on for like a month without adding any antifreeze just to see what would happen and to no avail the radiatior is full when i pop the cap. But during that whole month i had no heat and it was leaking all over the inside of the engine compartment. PLEASE HELP!

[fredjacksonsan]

First and most importantly, don't let the system run out of fluid, because you'll have expensive repairs other than just a coolant leak.

1) Full radiator. This system can trap air bubbles in the system and seem to have a full radiator. While cold, open the radiator cap. Drive it so the front end is about 1 foot higher than the rear, and let it run until hot, keeping the system full.

2) Locate the leak. You say that there's fluid all over the engine compartment? Have you watched while it's running and warm to see if you can locate the leak? How about putting a big piece of cardboard underneath to see where it's dripping from.

It could be the radiator....on a 10 year old vehicle you could have corrosion, or the seams between the plastic and metal parts on the radiator could be coming apart (We've seen that on one other post here)

It could also be a hose starting to go, or the upper hose's connection to the block. Check out all these areas, and see if you can locate the leak more precisely.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[Biggage]

Thanks for the quick reply. Ok, i have looked to see if i can tell where the leak is coming from and cant really tell. It looks like its coming from the top though. It may be right where the plastic and metal meet just like you said.

Looks like i need to buy a new radiator none the less.

Thanks again.