I have a new issue popping up on my 2008, and wonder if someone here might be able to point me in the right direction on what the issue may be, before heading into a shop.

A couple of days ago, I noticed a faint burning smell after a ~25 minute drive in stop-and-go traffic. With the top down on a hot day.

Today, after ~20 minutes of freeway driving, I took a look around the vehicle, and not immediately, but after a minute or so, started hearing a "hissing", like water on hot surface. I looked under the Jeep, and found a spot where a liquid, presumably water, was dripping down onto the asphalt. I took the pic below.

Temperatures were upper 70's, but I did not have the A/C on. I had not driven the Jeep for a couple of days before this.

Looking at where this is, does this indicate what the issue may be? (Of course, I realize the liquid could be coming from somewhere else and running down a path to get to this spot where it's dripping down.)

Thanks!


Liquid pooling below Jeep

 

Is it water or is it coolant? Should be easy to tell the difference. The only thing that should make water is related to the AC, so far as I know.

 

Step 1: Make sure you know what it is. Dip your finger in the puddle. Is it oily? What color is it? Does it have a smell? DO THE FOLLOWING AT YOUR OWN RISK... does it have a bitter or sweet taste? Coolant is poisonous, but tasting a bit on the end of your tongue and spitting it out is the old-school way of confirming it's coolant. If it's sweet, it's older coolant. If it's bitter, it's newer "embittered" coolant with an agent that deters animals, kids, and old fools like me from tasting it.

Step 2: Once you identify what it is, start to follow the trail back up. Yes, you'll get dirty. Since you heard a hiss, that's actually a good thing because the only things that can hiss is coolant or the A/C. If it was an A/C refigerant leak, you wouldn't have a puddle. So I suppose you can skip most of Step 1, except maybe as a confirmation step.

Step 3: Get the engine hot, get a flashlight, open the hood, and start looking for that hiss. You probably should see and/or hear exactly where it's coming from.

Step 4: Once located, either it's a simple fix like replacing a radiator hose, or a complex one, like replacing a radiator. This is where you take a breath and decide whether you want to proceed to a DIY fix, or call in a professional. At least by now you'll be armed with enough information as not to get ripped off by said professional!

Good luck!