Non Pro-Touring question.

[JoshStratton]

I realize this is probably the wrong section for this, but I didnt want to put it in the Cooling section since it really isnt about a Pro-Touring car. I wanted to ask some of you mechanics if you have any ideas on a problem I am having with my Grand Cherokee Laredo.

I have taken it in 4 times now for the same problem, and each time they cant find out what it is. I have a coolant leak somewhere. They pressure test it each time and there are NO leaks. The cooling system is 100% solid. The only other thing they think it could be is a head gasket, but we are not seeing any smoke or anything. Jeep even said that a cracked head or worn gasket is highly unlikely. They said this is something that really never happens with those cars and there is no evidence that it is happening internally. The mechanic suggested I keep driving it until it becomes more apparent or take it to Jeep for a second opinion instead of tearing into the heads. That would be $1000 with no guarantee it is a head issue. I am guessing it happens when the car is hot because we seem to lose more on longer trips. Every 300 miles or so I have to fill it again....but still there is no smoke or smells to say it is burning.

Any ideas from any of you PT gurus?

[CAMAROBOY69]

You say you have a leak. Do you mean you see a puddle somewhere? The coolant level keeps going down? Can you smell it inside when you drive? If yes then its heater core. If no then we will keep throwing ideas out but this is a start. What is the temperature where you are at? It is pretty hot out in a lot of places and will be common to go thru some coolant. Check your oil to see if any antifreeze is in there. Also check your transmission fluid for any water. I had a truck leak right from the radiator into the tranny cooler that was attached. Took forever to figure out!

[JoshStratton]

There are no puddles at all. They did a pressure test over the entire weekend and found no leaks at all. The coolant level does keep going down, but you can't smell it at all. It is very perplexing. I really am afraid it might be the head gasket, but I dont want to risk the 1000 bucks without exhausting all other ideas.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I added a couple more ideas in that other post just now. Read that one again to see if anything else sounds like the problem.

[JoshStratton]

You know, the oil did look kinda sledgy when i looked under the filler cap but there wasnt any white residue. The temps arent too bad, but this has been happening for a few months now. 50 degrees to 100 degree temperature ranges.

I called them and told them to check the tranny fluid but they dont know if that would apply for this particular vehicle. They were pretty sure the mechanic looked at the oil but they will check the tranny if he didnt. The car is still there right now.

[Bill Howell]

Sounds like a cracked head or head gasket or possibly an intake gasket to me. The sludge in the radiator is a tell tell sign. One other option would be a leaking heater core, but that would not explain the sludge. Have you noticed any film on the inside of the windows or wet floorboard?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I agree with Bill, here. I would not rule out a leaking or deteriorated intake manifold gasket. I had to replace the intake manifold gasket on my tahoe a few months back. What does the coolant smell like when you open the radiator cap? Does it smell normal or is it pungent?

[JoshStratton]

The sludge in the radiator is a tell tell sign.

Sorry for the confusion. The sludge was on the oil filler cap, not in the radiator....although it was oil that was 4 months old with about 4500 miles on it. I think it was just old (I noticed it when changing the oil). I went and picked it up at the mechanics and they think it really is the head gasket. They said to just keep driving it until it gets noticeable and it shouldnt hurt anything. The radiator fluid doesnt smell like anything out of the ordinary....just like coolant. I am pretty set on the fact, like most of you said, that it is the head gasket (i REALLY hope it isnt the head).