Yea it takes a minute to get cool but it does work.

 

I had put in a mr gasket balanced thermo im starting to wonder about that also haven't replaced the clutch fan I think ill do that myself.

Also u can get and open system newer type radiator for 50 bucks free shipping if you can afford one of those newer radiators Id install one plastic pressure bottles blow open all the time caps strip and are 60$ a pop something to think about

 

I am going to do the clutch fan first also seems how its so ez and straight forward. But if i was going to just replace the radiator with a new open system one, where would I find it so cheap? Autozone? Free ship? Also what year of cherokee has the radiator that fits? or is it an aftermarket radiator made for a 1989? Can it really be that easy to just convert?

 

Not to bump per-maturely but I also just got into the manual and it is clearly showing the temp gauge resting exactly where mine does when i drive it. Right above 210 degrees. It clearly says if its in there red (which my jeep does not run) that it MAY be over heating. is it possible that the jeep operates at 220?


There is a similar image with kilometers and degrees Celsius on the next page were the needle rests in the last 3/4 but not redzone

 

I think that mark is closer to 235, at least mathematically.

 

So the temp shown on the diagram is that of an overheating jeep? everything else on the gauges seems to be exactly were you would want them including a nearly full tank of gas. Again just found it odd that it reads exactly as mine does. I will still be replacing the clutch fan I am just looking for any reason not to drop a new radiator in this ***** and if the fan doesnt fix it I'm about out of options.

 

Mine was sitting right there as well, even after new rad. , water pump, therm, coolant. I replaced the temp sender today and now it's right about the 210.

 

Temp sender. Noted Maybe I'll replace that first, depends on if its cheaper then the clutch fan (about $35 at auto zone)

 

About 15.00

 

When you run ac does it cool down ?

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/ren...d-shift-63044/

 

Awesome well at least i know it is possible and fairly easy. Again I was hoping that would be a last resort and now its looking like something I'll be changing anyways (hopefully down the line I'm very limited on money this month). everyone seems really happy after the swap. As for your question the AC may or may not be making it run cooler, kicking the heat on brought it down a little no surprise there.

 

That pic is very toasty but 6.25 degrees shy of 241.25 degrees......the overheat red zone.

Be very cautious/careful and follow those instructions carefully IF u convert from a closed to open cooling system. With the open system, how the rad cap functions AND how the bottle fills/empties is critical. A open system will not cool any better than a closed system.

 

Trust me thats good news cause dropping a new radiator really is the last thing i want to do. And to better answer the question asked earlier YES the A/C does seem to bring the temp down quite a bit when its running. I would have thought running the AC would do the opposite. I have new clutch fan and temp sender waiting for me at parts store too so those should go on in the next two days.

 

When I first bought my 89 Jeep Cherokee I had similar probs and I monkeyed around with it to no ends. I finally did the 91 and newer upgrade and ditched that open system piece of crap set-up.

I highly advise investing 150 bucks or so and making life easier on ya.

I think there are a few detailed posts here telling your what to do, how to do it and what parts are needed.

I did not do the entire upgrade and only bought the new 91-up radiator ($110) and got a overflow bottle and hose from the bone yard ($10) If ya call a parts store just ask for a 1991 and up radiator. (ask if it comes with a cap and if not, you'll have to buy one)

I also wired my electric cooling fan to a under dash toggle switch ($3) and can flick it on whenever she gets a bit too hot. Some times on very hot days sitting in traffic I have to use it but that's rare. Just make sure you wire up the fan so that when you shut the key off it ain't still running.

IMO that sensor to kick on the fan comes on way too damn late. I also run a 170 t-stat instead of a 190.

Also, the 4.0 likes to air lock easily. Make sure you bleed her out.