The bird suprised me with a coolant leak

[Zoro]

The Eagle has been leaking coolant the last few days. At first it was a slow leak that I could not find but today it got bad. Only seems to leak when the car is off and only leaks for a little while before it stops. I popped the hood and couldn't find the source of the leak BUT the drips were hitting the ground directly under the crank pulley. My first thought is either a bad lower radiator hose or the weep hole on the water pump. What do you guys think?

On a different note. While I was under the hood I noticed that my fan clutch could probably be replaced, doesn't seem as stiff as it was 6 months ago. Also noticed that my radiator is old.
What do you guys recommend as far as a water pump goes? I know there are a few 'performance' pumps out there, are they worth it? Somebody recommended a 4.0 water pump, doesn't sound right to me, don't they spin the other way?

What about a fan clutch, are the 'heavy duty' replacements the parts stores any good?

Last but not least what do you guys recommend as far as radiator replacement goes? Any known upgrades? I know there's a bunch of different brands out there, are there any to stay away from? I'm looking for something with a lifetime warranty so most likely will go with one of the big name part stores or 800 radiators.

Thanks for the help and sorry for such a long post.

[vangremlin]

CaptSpillane has reported that a CJ7 radiator will fit (just need to drill a couple new mounting holes) and that aluminum upgrade ones are available on the auction site

[Zoro]

CaptSpillane has reported that a CJ7 radiator will fit (just need to drill a couple new mounting holes) and that aluminum upgrade ones are available on the auction site

If that's the case then an FSJ radiator might also fit as I have swapped a radiator from an SJ into an '82 CJ7. Also just remembered that I helped a friend put a '79 V8 Cherokee radiator into a 258 Gremlin but the brackets were all different...Thanks, now you REALLY have me thinking! lol

I'll take a look at the aftermarket CJ7 radiators but I think I'd like to stick with something that bolts right in.

[Zoro]

CaptSpillane has reported that a CJ7 radiator will fit (just need to drill a couple new mounting holes) and that aluminum upgrade ones are available on the auction site

Just looked at the CJ7 radiators on that auction site, might just go that route. Overall dimensions are about 1/2" smaller on the CJ radiator but otherwise close enough

[afree4all]

Zoro,
 I have just had the "phantom" coolant drip from near the crank pulley/oil pan area.  I think I found it.  Check your upper rad hose @ the thermostat housing.  be sure its ALL the way down and clamped good.  Also goes for the bypass hose or even the housing to the head may have a small leak.  The hotter they get and more pressure system produces, the larger the leak will become.
See the post about my slow drip @ oil pan if like may help.
 

[Zoro]

Zoro,
 I have just had the "phantom" coolant drip from near the crank pulley/oil pan area.  I think I found it.  Check your upper rad hose @ the thermostat housing.  be sure its ALL the way down and clamped good.  Also goes for the bypass hose or even the housing to the head may have a small leak.  The hotter they get and more pressure system produces, the larger the leak will become.
See the post about my slow drip @ oil pan if like may help.
 

Will do, thanks!

[Zoro]

afree4all-
You were right, the coolant was leaking from the base of the upper radiator hose at the thermostat housing.

Changed out the radiator hose and problem solved, or so I thought. I get home and there's now a new coolant leak coming from directly underneath the engine but about 1/4 of the way back. Haven't crawled up under the car yet but I'm thinking either intake manifold gasket or freeze plug. What do you guys think? Will try to get some pix of the new leak in question.

[Baskinator]

The coolant won't leak where the intake gasket is, it doesn't touch the gasket at all. Could be a freeze plug if it rusted out, or maybe check your lower hose, and hoses attached to the intake manifold.

[Zoro]

The coolant won't leak where the intake gasket is, it doesn't touch the gasket at all. Could be a freeze plug if it rusted out, or maybe check your lower hose, and hoses attached to the intake manifold.

The leak was a combination of a bad water pump and leaky lower radiator hose. Somehow the coolant was dripping down the side of the block and appeared to come out of the front of the intake.

[afree4all]

Glad to hear you found the source.   One thing is for sure  These birds like to leak (Almost any fluid)) BUT only little bits in weird butt places.
And just like this time, I find if I solve the problem,  will at least find one more caused by the repairing first one LOL
But thats what made me understand how these cars work,. Still love my Rig just sad it is rusting away on the frame.

[JustinS]

I've run into similar problems on many other vehicles.  As soon as the broken link in the system is replaced with a new one, the next weakest link goes.  It can be very frustrating  , and can sometimes lead to replacing the entire system, like I had to on my friend's civic.  The upside is that once you're done, you know that everything there is new. 

[jim]

I  was and am quite satisfied the the radiator I got from radiatorworld.  I like the product and especially the service.