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coolant spraying inside on the right side

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coolant spraying inside on the right side
3

3wheelingCJ

Jeeper
Posts
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Location
Saratoga, CA
Vehicle(s)
1975 CJ5 Renegade. 304 V8, 3-speed
So I was driving on the highway when suddenly hot coolant stated gushing down the firewall. Mostly on the right side but also in the middle. At first I let off the gas, but then realized that the next turn off is almost half a mile away. So, since the temp gauge was still low, I gave it a little gas. Right when I did that, more coolant started gushing down from behind the heater fan. After that I put it in neutral and coasted to the turnoff and shut it off before the engine overheated.
At some point the coolant was coming out from under the hood really heavy as well. Close to the back of the engine bay.

Got the jeep towed home, but didn't get a chance to take a look at it before it.

Any ideas on what could it be? Where to start looking?
I can provide history and more details as needed. Just didn't want to start off with a desertation.
 
Sounds like your heater core blew. You can loop a heater hose to isolate the heater core, and drive it. Not sure about the 75 but the 82 requires you to pull the heater duct to change the heater core.
 
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. Used the heater in the morning and noticed that there were some odd noises when I tried to regulate temp.
 
If it is not the heater, you can look for that:
21608276ua.webp
This is what I had, the nipple to the manifold likes
to have corrosion, this is for the heater hose from the heater to the manifold
 
How old are the hoses?
When the last time you re-tightened the clamps?
LG
 
Lutry, I'll check out that nipple and a house. Thanks.
Lumpy, the houses are not ancient but are not new either. All from the PO. Probably a good idea to go thru and check them all.

I also installed a "T" for flushing from an AutoZone kit on the hose that goes between the manifold and heater a few months ago. It's a total piece of :dung:, so I'm wondering if that had something to do with this.

The main thing I would like to rule out is a head gasket or something else that's pretty serious.
 
Fluid inside the cab ..... heater core.
 
The heater core was my first thought as well. I'm still unsure why would there be coolant on the other side ppb the fire wall as well.
 
Depends on where the leak is. More than likely it is at the fire wall intersection where pressurized fluid/steam is blowing in and out. All in all messy, but not a great big deal to fix. To check it, bypass the heater core by attaching the hose coming from the water pump directly to the back of the engine where the hose from the core usually goes.
 
I use double clamps, every place I can on any and ALL coolant lines. ;)
LG
 
Finally got a chance to work on the jeep. Bypassed the hearing core, as suggested, and after getting the engine to its normal temp still didn't see any leaks. So, I'm getting a new heater core.
In the process also replacing the radiator and all the houses.

One thing I noticed is that the waterpump inlet from the heater is one size larger than 5/8th, which is the size of the heater core nipple. Should be able to fix that with an adapter.

While waiting for a new heater, I pulled the old one out. Didn't see any cracks on it, but I guess they can be really small and still spray under high pressure. Filled it up with water and left sitting out. Will check tomorrow to see if any water leaks out.
Noticed that the heater box have seen better days. It's not horrible, but has a couple cracks and two screw holes broke off.
Is it possible to order a new one? Did some research online and didn't find anything.

Thanks
 
Lutry, the hose in the link you provided will work. To bad they will not ship until May 20th. Will try to find it locally. At least now I know something like that exists. Thanks.
 
You can cap one side of the heater core and make a nipple for the other. All it needs is about 10 psi of air and a bucket of water. If you have a leak you'll see the bubbles. Here's a excellent tread on redoing the heater box. I've done 2 so far and they come out nice. CJ Heater Box Restoration...pic heavy!! - JeepForum.com
 
Take the heater core and your radiator to a radiator shop, and have them re-core the radiator and re-solder the heater core.
Simple and MUCH cheaper than buy'n new stuff from who knows where.
Make sure they pressure test both.
LG
 
Jammer, thanks for the link. I couldn't tell if the box used in it was metal or not. The one I have seems to be fiberglass. I'll have some pics later today with broken off screw holes. The damper fix looks good.going to do that.
Lutry, thanks for the links. I'll check them out.
Gritts, the radiator looked like it was original and covered in rust in and out. I got a new one that looks exactly the same and for a decent price. The heater will probably go to the radiator shop for testing and fix.
 
The brass radiators of today-Are not made of the same heavy wall brass sheeting of when our jeeps were built.
Who did you get this radiator from as many are now China made with poor soldering jobs.
I urge you to pressure test this new radiator to 20 psi for at least 30 minutes, before you put it on the road.
LG
 
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