Coolant leak

jewilkinson01 · Nov 26, 2024

Hey y’all. Wife’s 2012 KK suddenly started leaving coolant puddles. The first time I noticed the puddle I popped the hood and the overflow reservoir was nearly empty. Filled it back up and two days later and not much driving and the reservoir is empty again. Puddle is just inside and a little behind the front drivers side tire but the dripping is obviously being redirected by the heat shield above the exhaust. Everything in the engine bay looks dry so looked under the dash and see fluid dripping on the transmission hump. Had the heated core replaced at the stealership during Covid lockdowns but seems like it’s an issue again.

Before I rip the dash out is there anything else I should check? Doesn’t seem like this should be an issue again so soon. I am definitely not paying the dealership thousands to do it again.

Any recommendations on what core to purchase?

I keep filling up the overflow but should I be adding coolant through the radiator cap as well?

Any and all help/advice is appreciated.

KJowner · Nov 26, 2024

Fill it up, get it hot, switch it off and get in with a light to see if you can see exactly what is leaking before you start stripping it.
Be very careful using it with a leak, if you boil it you will warp the heads $$$$!

kiwi_outdoors · Nov 26, 2024

jewilkinson01 said:
Hey y’all. Wife’s 2012 KK suddenly started leaving coolant puddles. The first time I noticed the puddle I popped the hood and the overflow reservoir was nearly empty. Filled it back up and two days later and not much driving and the reservoir is empty again. Puddle is just inside and a little behind the front drivers side tire but the dripping is obviously being redirected by the heat shield above the exhaust. Everything in the engine bay looks dry so looked under the dash and see fluid dripping on the transmission hump. Had the heated core replaced at the stealership during Covid lockdowns but seems like it’s an issue again.

Before I rip the dash out is there anything else I should check? Doesn’t seem like this should be an issue again so soon. I am definitely not paying the dealership thousands to do it again.

Any recommendations on what core to purchase?

I keep filling up the overflow but should I be adding coolant through the radiator cap as well?

Any and all help/advice is appreciated.

what total miles are you now

and at what miles did the dealer replace the heater core previously

IF its the heater core you should be getting "sort of oily" vapors out of the air vents when you drive, after the engine is up to operating temperature - our 2008 has had one heater core replacement, at an independent mechanic; this occurred at 114,000 miles. Our current KK, a 2011 model, is now at 124,000 miles and heater core is ok (we think).

jewilkinson01 · Nov 26, 2024

I can’t remember the mileage then but the liberty doesn’t get driven much, probably less than 15k miles ago.

I pulled the glove box and kick panel and can see a steady drip on the drivers side (I will try to attach a video).

I can’t imagine this is anything other than the core. If I replace the core is there anything else I should replace at the same time?

jewilkinson01 · Nov 26, 2024

At 95k total miles now

jewilkinson01 · Nov 26, 2024

Took me a little bit to figure out how to upload a video on this forum:

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Robochop · Dec 2, 2024

What about taking it back to the shop and letting them do a warranty repair on their own work?

budget76 · Dec 16, 2024

you looks like the core, BUTTTT could be the hose connection in engine compartment dripping inside. Hope i am right. easy check. good luck

jewilkinson01 · Saturday at 2:12 PM

I hate threads with no resolution so let me update. The dealership warranty is 2 years no matter the miles so that wasn’t going to help. I did check where the hoses connected to the core and I didn’t feel anything wet. I pulled the whole dash and replaced the core. The old core seemed fine tbh. Maybe it was where the tubes connected to the core? I honestly couldn’t tell where it was leaking from but it’s not leaking anymore. It was a bitch of a project, glad I had my son for help. Now the issue is getting all the coolant out of the carpet and padding.

DadOSix · Saturday at 3:06 PM

jewilkinson01 said:
I hate threads with no resolution so let me update. The dealership warranty is 2 years no matter the miles so that wasn’t going to help. I did check where the hoses connected to the core and I didn’t feel anything wet. I pulled the whole dash and replaced the core. The old core seemed fine tbh. Maybe it was where the tubes connected to the core? I honestly couldn’t tell where it was leaking from but it’s not leaking anymore. It was a bitch of a project, glad I had my son for help. Now the issue is getting all the coolant out of the carpet and padding.

Thanks for the update. I wager if you still have the old core and a way to put a bit of air pressure to in, that you will find the leak quickly. Those hose connections are outside the box, so I still think bad core. Specifically around the seam where the header attaches to the finned section.

Robochop · Saturday at 7:26 PM

jewilkinson01 said:
I hate threads with no resolution so let me update. The dealership warranty is 2 years no matter the miles so that wasn’t going to help. I did check where the hoses connected to the core and I didn’t feel anything wet. I pulled the whole dash and replaced the core. The old core seemed fine tbh. Maybe it was where the tubes connected to the core? I honestly couldn’t tell where it was leaking from but it’s not leaking anymore. It was a bitch of a project, glad I had my son for help. Now the issue is getting all the coolant out of the carpet and padding.

I have removed the carpet before and laid it out in my driveway, spray some simple green or laundry detergent and hit it with the power washer. I threw it up over my fence for a few days to let it dry out in the sun, both sides. It is a pain removing the seats and console but well worth it in the end.

budget76 · Sunday at 8:44 AM

horrible job but congratulations. Now seat bolts are rust free and come in and out easily in the future. To all readers, crack seat bolts if you haven't to allow you to remove seats when you need to. Apply nbo-seis if you gave any. Glad you have heater for winter. +++

Coolant leak

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