2003 jeep liberty - Loosing coolant?

polivo · 11-25-2009, 11:58 AM

about once a week, i need to add about 1/3 gallon of coolant. dealer thinks i may have a cracked engine gasket or need a head job??? Man, this sounds super expensive. Is there anything I can check to confirm it actually needs a head job? I dont see radiator fluid on the driveway floor. However, I checked the engine dipstick today and the oil filler cap.. "i did NOT see the milky residue" people described in other threads. Any ideas of feedback to narrow this down would be greatly appreciated!!! PS. .how much will something like this head job cost typically? can i have it done at an enginer rebuilder.. as opposed to the dealer.. the dealer is ridicoulously expenesive.

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 01:06 PM

Um.

Have they pressure tested the cooling system to see where it's leaking?

polivo · 11-25-2009, 02:30 PM

no, because they wanted an addtional 200.00? after I already paid a 99.00 diagnostic fee?

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 02:37 PM

200 dollars for a pressure test, and 100 dollars for a diag fee without diagnosing the problem?
Dude you got hosed.
Was this a chain store?

polivo · 11-25-2009, 04:39 PM

i didnt pay the 200. it was a chrysler dealer in li. these guys literally seemed like they were guessing. could be the ling block? could be the gasket, could be the head. He said, even if we do the pressure test, we wont really know until we take the engine apart and take a look?!?!? thats why im here asking for a second opinion. sounded very shady.

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 04:48 PM

radiator.

Two out of the three radiators in ThunderbirdJunkie's KJ left no coolant on the ground.

polivo · 11-25-2009, 04:56 PM

How can I find out if its the radiator? It seems like these guys are just trying to get as much money out of me as possible.

Alliantz · 11-25-2009, 04:57 PM

My KJ uses a little coolant as well. Not as much as yours but I do have to top it off every now and then. Pretty sure it's not a head problem. No leaks on the floor. Everything is running fine. I'm guessing my KJ just gets a little thirsty.

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polivo

How can I find out if its the radiator? It seems like these guys are just trying to get as much money out of me as possible.

they are.
The pressure test should be part of the diag fee.
At least it has been in every shop ThunderbirdJunkie has worked.

Anyway, It's not hard to swap a KJ radiator, and it shouldn't set you back more than $200 at a typical shop. Also, if your KJ's coolant is more than 3 years old, would bet on the water pump being toast.

Unfortunately, without knowing where you are and such, gonna be tough to find locals that can help you, since it's nearly impossible to diagnose this stuff over the internet.

qwik · 11-25-2009, 05:03 PM

press test pump loner is free with deposit , a firestore auto store press ck 25.00 $

polivo · 11-25-2009, 05:29 PM

tbird, sounds like you really know this stuff. Im more than willing to go to another dealer. I live in Long Island, new york. valley stream (11580). Is there a dealer you think that can give me a fair shake? I like my libby. It has everything just the way i like it. Id rather fix it.. than get rid of it, over a fixable item. ps. whats the worst case scenario? how much could this costs? ps the temperature is normal now, ( i did have a radiator flush about a week ago).
I do smell a slightly sweet smell in the cabin, when I have the warm air set in the car.. But it comes and goes. Do you think thats from the atifreeze making its way into the head.. or leaking from radiator?

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 05:30 PM

Not a clue. Why are you going to a dealer? Why not an independent shop that isn't struggling?

polivo · 11-25-2009, 05:41 PM

good point. I just thought a dealer would know the kinds of problems their vehicle most often have. I guess I could just go anywhere?

T-birdJunkie · 11-25-2009, 05:48 PM

Doesn't do much good when they're raking you over the coals.

You can, but ask friends and others who they use...try to go to somebody who you can actually get some information about.

**journeyjim** · 11-25-2009, 09:08 PM

If you are smelling a sweet scent when the heater is on, could be heater core has small leak or the heater hose or fitting,if its leaking into the engine you wouldn't smell it. I would have a pressure test done on the radiator and the heater core, its a simple pressure hand pump, with a gauge on it. Find an independent garage, just ask around.