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2010 Jeep Commander Coolant leaking

Tiny
SPSANCH
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 JEEP COMMANDER
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 54,656 MILES
I've taken a few trips out of town lately ( 600 miles there and back). I noticed my car was running hot from the temp gauge. I just thought it was from running the air conditioner and it being summer. I checked under the hood and noticed the coolant tank was empty. I add some 50/50 of antifreeze/water and think everything will be ok. A few weeks later I can notice my car running weird kind of like sputtering and my temp gauge is all the way hot. My coolant tank is empty again. I think it is leaking very heavily like almost as soon as I put it in. I have not found the leak or where its coming from. Any suggestions on what to do, how much it will cost ( I live in Nebraska if that makes a difference). I'm not much of a car guy so not sure if I can fix it myself just know the basics.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 7:39 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
You didn't list the engine size so I can just offer some generalizations. If you don't see any puddles on the ground where you parked, a good suspect is a leaking cylinder head gasket. Your mechanic can perform a chemical test at the radiator to check for that. Another method is to add a small bottle of dark purple dye to the coolant, then check a day or two later with a black light. The dye will show up as a bright yellow stain that you can follow back to the source. If a head gasket is leaking, you'll find the dye inside the tail pipe.

Auto parts stores have the dye for the fluid you're checking, and those that rent or borrow tools should have a black light.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
SPSANCH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for answering back I appreciate it. I have a 3.7 L V6 Engine. I just put some anti freeze in earlier today and its gone less than 8 hours later. I did see a puddle the first time but not this time.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
Sometimes coolant collects in a cross member or frame rail, then blows out on the highway. This is the type of leak where the dye works better. Also, an external leak is much easier to repair than a leaking head gasket.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
SPSANCH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So are you saying it's possibly just a hose? If not a hose what could I look at paying if its a pump or radiator issue? Thanks again
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 9:29 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
We don't get involved with costs here because there's way too many variables. We don't even know what's wrong yet so anything would be a guess and it would be wrong.
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Sunday, September 6th, 2015 AT 10:42 PM

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