I have a 98 4.0 and I need help trying to solve a coolant leak. I have always smelled coolant when I get out of the car but nothing dripping. Last week I thought it was the water pump so I took it off replace the gasket and thought I solved it. Now I got coolant on the ground so it is not any better. Now I think it is the timing chain cover leaking so before I started tearing that apart I noticed the fluid comming out by the front of the engine by the exhuast and also the back of the engine. I think it is the head gasketbut I am not sure, any suggestions??

Thanks

 

Spend more time tracing down the source of the coolant. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Look down in the valley to make sure the intake gasket isn't leaking.

 

I forgot to mention that this all started right after the rover over heated, so I actually called the dealer and told them the same thing and the think it is the heads as well, the price to change the head gasket get the heads check for cracks comes to a little under $3,000. I can get a whole gasket kit for the car for around $200.00, so I just might tackle this one myself.

 

Make sure whoever does the work inspects for a dropped cylinder sleeve as well. It is very common for these to drop sleeves when overheated. If you find a dropped sleeve, you will need a new short block at the least.

 

Quit guessing what is leaking, go have a coolant system pressure test done to know for sure.
In the mean time, when cold, keep your coolant bottle full to the top of the coolant recovery bottle, not the full mark.