Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Radiator!!!

Old 10-18-2009, 01:53 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Ginger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default Radiator!!!

Mechanic told me to start looking for a new car! Anyone know why my 2000 Cherokee blew a 2 Radiators within the past year despite a new theromstat? Can't get radiator fluid clean. "Full of Guck" my mechanic says. Only 67,000 miles. Love it. DO NOT want to get rid of. Advise for my mechanic? Save my Jeep!
Old 10-18-2009, 01:57 PM
  #2  
Member
 
85on32+4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 liter
Default

Originally Posted by Ginger
Mechanic told me to start looking for a new car! Anyone know why my 2000 Cherokee blew a 2 Radiators within the past year despite a new theromstat? Can't get radiator fluid clean. "Full of Guck" my mechanic says. Only 67,000 miles. Love it. DO NOT want to get rid of. Advise for my mechanic? Save my Jeep!

first off.
get new mechanic.
67000 miles means 'baby jeep'
how does your oil look?
does it overheat?
how was radiator "blown"?

Jiffy Lube:
radiator flush
oil change
then monitor it...

never go back to that mechanic
Old 10-18-2009, 02:12 PM
  #3  
Caracticus Potts The Mod
 
Willys55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hainsville, NJ
Posts: 5,298
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Model: Grand Cherokee
Cool

Originally Posted by Ginger
Mechanic told me to start looking for a new car!!
And right after he said that he offered to take it off your hands?!

Get a new mechanic and have the engine block completely flushed.....
Old 10-18-2009, 02:14 PM
  #4  
Member
 
85on32+4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1985
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 liter
Default

Originally Posted by Willys55
And right after he said that he offered to take it off your hands?!

Get a new mechanic and have the engine block completely flushed.....
x2
this is NOT a mechanic special... just a speed bump
Old 10-18-2009, 02:30 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
troy fritz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by 85on32+4
first off.
get new mechanic.
67000 miles means 'baby jeep'
how does your oil look?
does it overheat?
how was radiator "blown"?

Jiffy Lube:
radiator flush
oil change
then monitor it...

never go back to that mechanic
2xs . Get a new mechanic.
Old 10-19-2009, 10:25 AM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Ginger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by 85on32+4
first off.
get new mechanic.
67000 miles means 'baby jeep'
how does your oil look?
does it overheat?
how was radiator "blown"?

Jiffy Lube:
radiator flush
oil change
then monitor it...

never go back to that mechanic
THANKS FOR THE REPLYS, GUYS!! The oil is clean. Never missed an oil change in 10 years. Last Nov. mechanic found a crack in radiator. Never actually overheated on me. Mechanic put in new radiator. A couple months ago, driving during a hot summer day and temp gauge went into red. Pulled over, let it cool down and took it to mechanic. He replaced thermostat. 1 month later, saw radiator fluid on my driveway. Took it back to mechanic (did a little screaming), he said radiator had crack on both sides. They put in new radiator, flushed it five times (don't know what they used) and still found Gunk. My family is in the collision business so I know a bit about cars and this one is not ready for the junk yard just yet!
Old 10-19-2009, 11:11 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Throttle Jockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

definately not. i put two radiators in my daughters tiburon in less than a year. sometimes you'll have that. i think its just low grade parts. check your pressure cap or just replace it. thats about the only way you will over pressurize the cooling system.
Old 10-19-2009, 11:12 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
4.3L XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6,551
Received 480 Likes on 412 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

did anyone say what the "gunk" was? Was it oil in the antifreeze, or mineral deposits or rust? Were the cracks in the tanks, or where the tubes are welded in?
Old 10-19-2009, 07:42 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
1992laredo4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

if the 2000 cherokee is like my wife's 1999 Grand Cherokee, the radiator is made out of flimsy plastic. she blew the tank apart on hers back in February of this year, had to let it sit untill about middle of March to save up the 400.00 to replace it, it blew again over the weekend. if it's a plastic tank, try to find a metal tank to replace it with.
Old 10-21-2009, 03:26 PM
  #10  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Ginger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Throttle Jockey
definately not. i put two radiators in my daughters tiburon in less than a year. sometimes you'll have that. i think its just low grade parts. check your pressure cap or just replace it. thats about the only way you will over pressurize the cooling system.
I'll have him check the pressure cap...thanks!
Old 10-21-2009, 03:27 PM
  #11  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Ginger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
did anyone say what the "gunk" was? Was it oil in the antifreeze, or mineral deposits or rust? Were the cracks in the tanks, or where the tubes are welded in?
Says it's rust and that they have no idea where idea where it's coming from...that''s his reasoning for telling me to get a new car.
Old 10-21-2009, 03:29 PM
  #12  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Ginger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by 1992laredo4x4
if the 2000 cherokee is like my wife's 1999 Grand Cherokee, the radiator is made out of flimsy plastic. she blew the tank apart on hers back in February of this year, had to let it sit untill about middle of March to save up the 400.00 to replace it, it blew again over the weekend. if it's a plastic tank, try to find a metal tank to replace it with.
I'll have them check out a metal tank. I got lucky and had the first one blown replaced under warranty.
Old 10-21-2009, 09:51 PM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
4.3L XJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 6,551
Received 480 Likes on 412 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Default

Just run plenty of antifreeze and you can add some extra rust inhibitor. That should do it. Also make sure that tap water is not used, but add only distilled water. The minerals will set up electrolysis and cause the rust.
Old 10-21-2009, 10:45 PM
  #14  
Renix Super Guru
 
BlueXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 0
Received 16 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
Default

Try this site. I have purchased from them in the past and they stand behind their products. CSF is a quality radiator. http://www.radiatorbarn.com/search.php?product=radiator
Old 10-21-2009, 10:47 PM
  #15  
Member
 
cherokee92's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I had problems with my 1992 xj rad until about three weeks ago. It was hoses and thermo. I was looking into getting a all metal rad and was told they are just for postal Jeeps. I would find new mechanic. At least my mechanic is honest and we can talk about what is most important for my Jeep. Did they check water pump? I will never take my Jeep to dealer mech since I baught it cash used. I am steering the wife away from 1999 to 2001 Grands due to what I have heard about head cracking if they overheat.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Radiator!!!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:14 PM.