Jeep Cherokee Coolant Issues: Warning Signs & Fixes

As someone with some hands-on experience working on similar vehicles, I dealt with a comparable issue on my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the gasoline engine. The coolant level warning came up, and after initial checks, it turned out the cooling fan sensor connection was loose and corroded. This caused incorrect readings and triggered the check engine light. The repair involved cleaning the connection points and replacing a damaged wire harness, costing 95 Euro. However, low coolant levels can indicate various issues ranging from minor to serious: 1. Coolant leak from radiator hoses 2. Faulty water pump 3. Head gasket problems 4. Simple evaporation through a loose cap Before jumping to conclusions, a few questions about your vehicle: Have you noticed any puddles under the car? When was the last coolant system maintenance done? Does the coolant level drop quickly after refilling? Are there any sweet-smelling fumes from the exhaust? These details would help identify if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be something different. A proper pressure test of the cooling system would be advisable to locate any potential leaks.

Thanks for the insights. At 101375 KM the coolant level keeps dropping steadily after refilling. No visible puddles under the car, but I noticed a sweet smell from the engine bay. A closer inspection revealed small drips near one of the radiator hoses where it connects to the engine block. Just had a service last month where they changed the oil and filters, but the cooling system wasnt checked. Will probably need to get those hoses replaced before risking engine overheating. Going to schedule a pressure test to confirm theres no other leaks hiding somewhere else in the system.

Thanks for the update. Those symptoms sound very familiar, I had almost identical issues with my 2003 Cherokee around the 100000 KM mark. The sweet smell combined with the drips near the hose connection is a classic sign of a failing hose connection. When I dealt with this, I found that air pockets had formed in the system due to the slow leak, which made the coolant loss seem worse than it was. My mechanic recommended replacing both upper and lower radiator hoses since they tend to deteriorate at similar rates. The pressure test revealed minor seepage at the thermostat housing gasket too. The total repair included: New radiator hoses, Thermostat housing gasket, System flush, Fresh radiator fluid Total cost was around 280 Euro Word of caution, keep monitoring the coolant level closely until you get it fixed. My leak suddenly got worse during a particularly warm day, leading to engine overheating. You definitely want to avoid that scenario. Once fixed, I havent had any cooling system issues in the 30000 KM since. The pressure test is a smart move to ensure you catch all potential leak points while the system is apart.

Thanks for that detailed breakdown of your experience. The information about air pockets forming in the system really helps explain what I might be dealing with. Makes sense to replace both radiator hoses while the system is being serviced. Got an appointment scheduled for next week and will get that pressure test done. In the meantime, I topped up the coolant reservoir and marked the level with a marker to track how fast its dropping. The sweet smell seems stronger when the engine is hot, which matches what you mentioned about your thermostat housing gasket issue. Going to have them check that too while theyre at it. Really hoping to avoid any overheating scenarios, so Im keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge during my commute. Thanks for the heads up about the potential repair costs, helps me budget for what might be needed.