Alright yes I have been reading through and through on all the issues with this. I recently started having to add coolant to the radiator itself. However noting from the overflow it seems to be quite higher than when it was full. I put a new T-stat and rad cap when I first bought her which was about 2-3 months ago I believe. Now I noticed my lower radiator hose was leaking so replaced it. She has 203K on her. Radiator not sure if original. Water pump not sure when changed would need to look through the records provided. However when less coolant of course less heat as well. My next step is to check the heater hoses to see if they are getting hot. I am just trying to figure out why the coolant overflow bottle has moved quite a ways above full line after it was at full. Any inputs on this would be appreciated. I do have a new radiator available here just not yet installed.

 

search 0331 head....

 

Awesome thanks, so guessing based on all this need a new head due to the poor design, Just more money to dump into this.

 

not necessarily. just search and see if your symptoms line up for starters.

 

Will look into it, I do need to replace valve cover gasket as is leaking and can tell from that point I think of anything unusual in there based off that search. Oil color is normal and good. Heat is on/off. No misfire. 50psi at start, goes down to 10psi when warmed up. 13-20psi at hot idle, 60psi @ 2500rpm. Running Temp: 210 However this is based off gauge inside and not a mechanical gauge itself. So will check once do that gasket. However hope the damage if so is not to bad to bearings at this point.

 

You have two "full" lines on the overflow bottle, one for cold and one for hot. It is normal for the level in the tank to go up when the system is hot and go down when it's cold. Make sure what you're seeing isn't just the normal fluctuation from engine temp, and make sure you're checking the correct "full" line for the temp.

If the level is going up when it's hot and staying there when it cools off, the tube from the radiator to the overflow bottle may be clogged in such a way that it's not allowing the coolant to be drawn back into the system. That line comes off easy, and you can take it off and flush some water through it to make sure it's clear.

If you had a head crack that was spewing exhaust gases into the coolant system, that extra pressure may force more coolant out into the bottle, but it should be drawn up again when cold. If you're worried about that 0331 head, you can have the coolant system tested for the presence of exhaust gas. There's a $50 kit you can buy yourself, but many mechanics have them. The test takes just a few minutes.

 

Will check that line as well. It stays up even after 2 days of sitting as if it is not returning at all above full line. Just recently started happening so have a kit at the shop to test it but figured get some input on this. I had a 94 Cherokee before and was great. This one just has things previous owner did not mention. Have to replace steering gear box and track arm on it and parts should be in this week for that. Than figure this cooling system.

 

I know you have a new Rad Cap, but are you sure if functioning correctly.

It is supposed to allow some fluid out when exceding the PSI rate, and when cooling down to allow the fluid back to the radiator.

In the past I have had a couple of ocassions where the Rad Cap just does not open to refill the Radiator, maybe you are experiencing the same

 

FYI, if you get another radiator cap, go with Stant (or Carquest, which is a rebadged Stant product). Those are about the best you're gonna find.

 

Time to admit one mistake I did make though. last week when adding fluid to the radiator and overflow I didnt see the add line at the very bottom. So it was at the full line to start when the vehicle was dead **** cold. So I saw that its above the line when cold/hot anymore. Now to keep an eye on things and run through some stuff once it warms up here, I could try another cap as well. The vehicle has never over heated as of yet. Its when I check radiator the fluid I have to add always which could be bad radiator or water pump as well. However once warms up will do more work to it.