About kenji Toelken Expertise I will do my best to answer questions regarding chassis electrical, suspension, car audio, parts fabrication, engine and drive train. I don't claim to know everything there is to know about mechanics, hopefully through this experience I can learn some stuff from all of you as well.
Experience I have been involved in auto mechanics and restoration for 30 years. I have owned and restored about 50 cars ranging from Peugeot to Hillman. I have recently built 2 CJ-5's from the ground up, fabricated parts for both and currently own a Cherokee XJ in progress.
Question QUESTION: i have replaced the bottom radiator hose on my 97 jeep cherokee and it's still leaking down there. i can't really tell where its coming from, looks like it runs out the bottom of the engine and also runs down that hose, i checked the hose it's tight. any ideas? heard it might be the water pump but i dont know
ANSWER: Hi Heather
Since the bottom hose connects to the water pump, the water pump could be leaking and coolant may be following the hose down to the radiator. You may want to check up at the thermostat as well just to make sure it's not dripping down from there. You may also want to check for a freeze plug that may be leaking.
Kenji
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QUESTION: thank you, what is a freeze plug? i talked to someone and they told me it is probably the oil pan gasket? b/c that's where it looks like its coming from is around that pan, but it also runs down that hose, it couldn't get up on the hose if it was the pan could it?
Answer Hi Heather,
Freeze plugs are installed in the block and they are designed to fail if the coolant freezes in an effort to keep the engine block from cracking when expansion occurs with frozen liquid. They are about the size of 50 cent pieces and are usually pressed in on each side of the engine block. They can become corroded and leak. It's not likely with a 97 that they should be leaking but you may want to rule them out anyway. It's definitely not the oil pan gasket. There isn't any coolant in the oil pan, just motor oil. If you're seeing coolant around the pan it's probably coming from above somewhere like the water pump, radiator hose or heater hose connection. There is a weep hole behind the water pump pulley that will leak if the seal on the pump shaft fails. If this is the case you must replace the water pump.There is also a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator you may want to check. Coolant from here could make it to the pan if it has been blown there by wind while driving.
