Water leak?

[JMadigan]

Hi all, for many years my XJ has had a small coolant leak that drips off the bottom of the bell housing. Until now, this didn't really both me since it was only a few drips every now and then! Now, it leaks drips more frequently and I'm loosing water fast! I have replaced all the clamps and hoses leading to and from the heater core, the radiator, water pump, head gasket, thermostat/gasket, lower radiator hose, and the heater core valve (black-deal near the passenger-side firewall) in the past 2 years :out:
When I do run the heat, it doesnt smell like water but will smell like hoses after running it on high for 20+ mins (I'm assuming that's normal?)

Has anyone had any similar leaks or experiences or does anyone know another possible source of the leak??? any help is greatly appreciated!
-JMaddy

[LizardRunner]

sounds like you need to pull the transmission and replace the freeze plug on the back of the block and or the heater core.

[JMadigan]

I checked the freeze plug on the back and its clean; no white marks or water. looking up from underneath it looks like it is spraying onto the side off the engine and bellhousing from somewhere. Hoses or hoseclamps, maybe?

[LizardRunner]

Might be a leaky heater hose in that case, There are not many hoses that carry radiator water around the sides of the engine. If you can't spot the leak, try wraping some blue paper shop rag strips around the suspected areas, the leak will show up as the wet spot.

[prcjeep]

you could use that UV dye leak detection stuff...

[bigjim350]

There is also another freeze plug on the back of the block behind the flex plate. You can only get to it by removing the transmission. Im guessing the one you checked was on the back of the head.

[bluedragon436]

^^ I was going to mention this, as I didn't know about that one myself until I removed a co-worker's 4.0 on his XJ...

[JMadigan]

Thanks again for the responses!
The water was leaking on the sides of the bell housing so I don't believe it's from the freeze plug you've mentioned. I tighten the 4 hoses going to and from the thermostat into the firewall since it seemed it was spraying from somewhere in there. The amount being leaked has gone down for now, but I'll continue to keep an eye on it.