Coolant leak

[jewilkinson01]

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]

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]

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]

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]

At 95k total miles now

 

[jewilkinson01]

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

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media