I think what you will find when you start doing some research, is that "high-end" units don't have a great trouble-free track record either, so you can spend $200-300 and be upset when it fails, or you can spend $600-$1k and be double/triple upset when it fails. I just replaced with a Griffin aluminum radiator, which with a new cap, ran about $400. I did it not cuz I believe it will be more durable, but I was having a temp issue here in Texas and had been through a few stock rads. This seemed to solve my temp spikes for the time being. I'd say for me, it was worth the extra $100 or more, but again, I have no grand vision it will live longer than a factory one. I've come around to the consensus thought that a factory Mopar rad is best for most people.

 

I had a radiator leak a while back, was replaced under warranty, but I could smell every once in a while after turning off then sitting a few minutes, recovery jug dropped level very slightly over 4 or 5 k miles, dealer looked several times when I went in for an oil change and finally got big enough to find

 

My Cheveep sometime smells but the overflow bottle level drops and stays there with rad staying full. Runs all day crawling up steep hills in 95F heat at 97*C which is just around 205F. I am leaving it alone.

 

HI everyone, thanks for the add. So today I test drove a 2013 with only 4100 miles on it so I was pretty excited, but after both test drives I swore I smelled a tiny bit of coolant smell. Is this a legit common problem or should I run? Always wanted a Jeep so I was excited to find one with such low miles that I could afford, but I don't want to deal with major issues right off the get go. I did do a quick exam of the heads and such, no evidence at all. Thanks for any input.

Let me see if I can post a link to the one I am looking at:

https://www.monstermotors.com/used/J...04c4603a0f.htm

 

The eyelids on the headlights are causing the smell.

 

First, finding a '13 with under 10k miles is a great find. Smelling coolant is not something that is uncommon, but with under 10k miles I can't imagine why it would have an issue in the cooling system. Often times these radiators form a small leak where the fins meet the side on the driver's side. You typically can't see this until the fan shroud is removed. Not saying that is the issue, but that is the common issue that gives you a whiff of coolant. Assuming you didn't see signs of coolant leaking around the engine, and everything else checked out good, I don't think that alone with scare me off from a purchase. If there are other things that aren't adding up though, there's plenty of JKs out there for sale.

 

lol, yes, those will be removed shortly after getting it back home.

I drove over it two different times today and didn’t smell it. It is completely spotless underneath so hopefully I am good.

Also so I didn’t like the back window on the AM gate so they swapped the whole top with an OEM one from a 2016 so I picked up defrost, wiper, larger window.

Anyone know now anything about the top that it had? Terrible seal in the back, 1/4 inch gap in some spots. Things would have gotten wet for sure.

Niw for some rims and tires.

 

thanks! I am moving forward with it. Once the bank said they valued it quite a bit more than I am paying I was pumped.

Stereo, speakers, rims before winter I hope. I can’t believe how poor the factory system is.

 

Oddly enough, someone just had a different thread asking about "what top is this" that they just purchased. I dug and dug and boom, it was one of the first Bestop hardtops they made from back in '07. Since you asked, that is what I believe that top was. Looks exactly the same, and the hinge on the back window is the give away. Good for you for making them swap that out. You won that one.

Top of the coolant reservoir if need to, and keep an eye on it. If you're losing a little coolant over a few weeks, you likely have a pinhole in the rad. Takes 10-15 mins to yank the intake boot and airbox out, which then allows you to pull the fan shroud out and inspect the backside of the rad. Often those leaks are never big enough to let anything get to the ground before baking off. just keep that in mind if you keep seeing the resi level drop.

 

The price on Mopar radiators just went up not too long ago. I ordered one, it was backordered, and I checked back to see if they were in stock and noticed the prices had skyrocketed.