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Is my radiator shot?

3K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  wolfen 
#1 ·
I have a 2001 TJ. Last night, I noticed a few drops of anti freeze on the floor of the garage under the radiator. Upon further inspection, there is a small pool of anti freeze collecting in the pan right under the radiator (passenger side). The jeep also seems to start 'smelling hot' once it gets warmed up., but the engine temperature remains okay. So wondering if the radiator is just getting bad, and needs to be replaced, and if its okay to drive until I get it replaced. If I need to replace it, is there a recommended aftermarket radiator? Is this something I can do myself easily (good instructions somewhere on Internet - haven't looked yet)? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Radiator barn is the place most people get their radiators from. Just make sure it is all metal. As for the leak I would just watch it and keep it topped off. Small leaks sometimes will go on for years without completely leaking or it may blow out tomorrow. I would try and limp through the winter, but be aware that it could go at any time. Changing out the radiator is not hard and is a do it yourself thing as long as you have some small hand tools.
 
#3 ·
do NOT use any sealers in the radiator, all that does is prolong the agony, replace it with an all metal rad, in the mean time keep it topped off with fluid, BUT since the 5 year coolant costs so much I recommend changing the rad asap.
It ain't hard mines a 2.5 and the hardest part will be removing the fan so I can yank the shroud :)
 
#5 ·
Radiator Barn is where I used to recommend for their cheap prices and fast deliveries but after reading of a lot of problems with their Chinese made radiators, they're no longer on my 'good' list. Plus their radiator cores are not aluminum like the OE radiator is so they are not as good at cooling as the OE radiator is.

Unless you can afford a good quality aftermarket aluminum core radiator, I'd go for a replacement OE radiator which is a 1-row all aluminum which is very (!) good for cooling. For the uses Jeeps are put to, 1 row radiators are more efficient at cooling than 2 or 3 row radiators. Yes I know that sounds counterintuitive but it's true. That is why Jeep switched the TJ from the 2-row it came with its first 3-4 years to the 1 row model all later TJs came with, the 1 row cools better due to its larger water channels. :)
 
#6 ·
I bought from Radiator Barn and after they assured me the radiator I was getting was all metal, I got home on R/R ripped open the box like a kid at Xmas and it was Plastic Tanks. They were real good about the return and such but I went to my local NAPA and got an all Metal and Copper single core which fit in perfect and works awesome PLUS the price wasn't that much different and it is local if I have any problems
 
#7 ·
Thanks for all the help here. Actually I just got this from a pretty reputable dealer about 45 days ago, so I think I am going to go back and complain a little. I am trying to save for tires and wheels, not radiators. But I'll do it myself before paying them, if it comes down to it.
 
#8 ·
wolfen said:
do NOT use any sealers in the radiator, all that does is prolong the agony, replace it with an all metal rad, in the mean time keep it topped off with fluid, BUT since the 5 year coolant costs so much I recommend changing the rad asap.
It ain't hard mines a 2.5 and the hardest part will be removing the fan so I can yank the shroud :)
Leave the fan on. When you remove the fan shroud just hang it on the fan, remove the bolts on the radiator then pull it straight up. Not hard at all. You just need an extra hand.
 
#10 ·
I replaced Stacy's radiator last year ('01 Cherokee Sport) after seeing a drop or two of coolant on the floor. Difficult to pinpoint until I crawled underneath with a flashlight and saw very slight leakage on the passenger side seam next to the plastic tanks. It had been leaking for years and needed replacement.

Wrangler radiators are a piece of cake to replace; XJ's are not. It was an all-day job, but worth the effort. Select the new unit carefully. Buy all-metal --no plastic.

We bought a heavy-duty 3-row all metal from RadiatorBarn.com. I was impressed with the quality: no plastic, and the entire unit was made from heavy copper, not aluminum, like the good-old days. I prefer copper for durability.

After you've replaced the equipment, re-evaluate your cooling system maintenance specs. We switched her's over to G-05 coolant and distilled water.

Sadly, the reason the unit failed is because it had NEVER been touched and still had OEM-fill coolant installed at 120k miles. (It was brown and sludgy and her Ex never bothered with maintenance.) We had to replace all hoses and thermostat with OEM's as well. I now check the coolant yearly with a DVOM to determine if it requires replacement, but it never goes beyond 3 years of service regardless of mileage or DVOM readings.

The most difficult part of our recent marriage has been catching up on maintenance and badly needed repairs on her Jeep! HA! Now at 134k and $4,500 later, it looks and runs like new. We even spent $230 on new OEM fog lamps. Few would invest that much cash in an old Jeep, but this Jeep is worth the effort.

Radiatorbarn.com has gotten some bad press lately, but the 3-row HD unit we bought was top-drawer quality and the price was excellent.
 
#11 ·
I'd get a CSF radiator from Radiator Barn. They are the best radiators for Jeeps out there and Radiator Barn has some of the lowest prices on the net. They stand behind their warranty too. A buddy of mine had a problem with his all metal CSF and all they asked him to do is send in some pictures of the problem area along with some numbers on the radiator and they sent him another one.

Not sure were the above poster got his info on Chinese radiators, but no CSF radiators are made in China. Your wasting your time going anywhere else, Just my opinion.
 
#13 ·
Just replaced mine in my '01 4.0 Wrangler this past Friday. Piece of cake. An hour and a half start to finish, with twenty minutes of that locating the proper tools (and no cuts or bruises!). I used an replacement radiator from Car Quest simply because I discovered a split in the tank on Thursday and wanted to replace the next day. I spent probably $50 more than Radiator Barn, but as I said, I wanted it the next day.

A pneumatic socket drive with a one inch extension really comes in handy, especially on the passenger side.
 
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