? from an admitted automobile moron

1,460 Views | 13 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by CanyonAg77
Aggie95
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4:39p, 6/30/26
AG
So my son was driving his Jeep Cherokee last night and pulled into a parking spot and as he did a man next to him said he had a coolant leak. My son said he looked and could see some fluid dripping and that it was light in color (yellow-ish) and that is why the guy thought it was coolant.

When he got home a few hours later we checked and the coolant level looked full as did the brake fluid. He parks in our driveway every night and we have not seen any spots on the driveway.

Any thoughts? Could leak be intermittent? Possibly just condensation?
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Complete Idiot
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4:41p, 6/30/26
Check for cracks in the plastic radiator overflow reservoir, connected by a hose to top of the radiator. Check hoses as well. Due to heat, more likely to get exposed this time of year. Antifreeze has a strong, distinct odor.
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aggieforester05
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5:50p, 6/30/26
AG
Ran over a Mountain Dew can?
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BrazosDog02
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10:44p, 6/30/26
AG
Alright, I hope yall don't take this the wrong way but, for anyone reading, if some rando stops you and tells you your car is leaking and it prompts you to get out and look….dont. That goes especially for the ladies. I just assume everyone is a crook and wall gut me like a fish given the chance unless they prove otherwise. Don't get out and look at anything unless you know your surrounding and you got your **** together in the situational awareness and self defense department.

Now back to the leak, it's possible he has a water pump going out. I've had more than a few fail and leak intermittently. Check behind the fan with a light at night and see if you and see grime or wetness. Otherwise, check the seams on the end caps of the radiator for leakage. If neither show much, I'd roll on until it becomes obvious. It will get worse but likely not fail catastrophically.
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1agswitchin4lanes
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11:40p, 6/30/26
AG
What engine
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JDCAG (NOT Colin)
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8:15a, 7/1/26
AG
I used to have a car that leaked power steering fluid and I think it was an amber color.

If he has a big PS leak, he'll feel it eventually (steering will become a pain in the ass)
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EMY92
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8:17a, 7/1/26
AG
Are you sure it wasn't condensate from the AC?
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JB
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9:00a, 7/1/26
AG
You can rent a pressure tester at Oriellys. They aren't too difficult to figure out, even for a non car person.
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to EMY92 • 5:31p, 7/1/26
AG
EMY92 said:
Are you sure it wasn't condensate from the AC?

He said it wasn't clear.

Does the new antifreeze have that sticky-sweet smell and feel the old stuff did? That was always a pretty good way to see if it is antifreeze.
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Equinox
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6:32p, 7/1/26
My son had a Dodge Charger that took antifreeze that was orange-ish in color. It was that organic stuff.
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Aggie95
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11:17p, 7/1/26
AG
Pressure tested and found no leaking coolant. Just gonna watch it for a bit and see if it happens again
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AgFrogfan
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In reply to EMY92 • 11:40p, 7/1/26
EMY92 said:
Are you sure it wasn't condensate from the AC?

My initial thought as well EMY. Every GM truck I've ever owned will condensate like that and leave a puddle after I've had the A/C running high for an extended period. Never owned a Jeep but I'm sure they do that as welll.

OP, just have him keep an eye on the thermostat and oil pressure and drive it as he normally would. If it starts making weird noises just tell him to crank up the radio and ignore it. That's worked for me a few times. = )
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Koko Chingo
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7:41a, 7/2/26
AG
Put some cardboard (or something else that will do the same function) under the vehicle when he gets home and parks.

Either park on the cardboard or put something heavy on it so it doesn't blow away.

Then see what leaks.
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CanyonAg77
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8:51a, 7/2/26
AG
All you folks saying it was A/C condensate, did you miss the part where it was yellow?

A/C drip is clear, odorless, isn't sticky, and if you catch it immediately, sometimes it's still cool.

It also tends to to come out of places where no engine leaks would be. Like below the right side of the dash, or in pickups with rear air, under the center console.

Usually, it only drips when running or soon after shutoff. Though my Chevy pickup gets parked on a slope at night, and often pees a little when I move it in the morning
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