1996 Cherokee Fuel getting hot
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Year: 1996
Engine: Straight 6 -- 4.0L
I have a 1996 Cherokee. After riding trails and going mudding, the fuel is getting extremely hot and causing the motor to run rough and vapor lock. I looks like the owner before me put heat wrap around the injectors to help reduce the heat I suppose. What could i do to reduce vapor locking and running real rough. I heard about putting washers on the hood hinges to raise up the back of the hood somewhat to release some heat. I also heard about getting some powerful fan. But that will run me $300. Does anyone have any ideas? Any thing would help.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Year: 1996
Engine: Straight 6 -- 4.0L
None really. I think the water pump is somewhat new which means most of the coolant is new. I did raise up the back of the hood about an inch. I just purchased hood louvers and will install at a later date. And I did hook up a switch to my acc fan relay so I can manually turn on the fan when needed.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
If not sure about what's been done regarding cooling system maintenance/component replacement, why not work 1st and foremost directly on the cooling system?
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Ragley, La. Southwest La.
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I have the same prob. Ive had to replace the radiator and water pump and put in a new lower temp thermostat. It has new antifreeze. I've yet to do the thermo wrap but hoping to do that soon. I read on cf that one guy removed part of the gasket behind the engine to let out some of the hot air and put a peace of a hose running to the side and down to let rain water run off. He said it did lower the the engine compartment temp.
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 12
From: Ontario, Canada
Year: 1989 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L 6 Renix
I have similar condition on extended low low speed runnin. Engin stumbles and odd time has stalled, restarted ok. No cooling system problems, the engin cooling system is not at fault, actually excessive underhood temperature, my failing exhaust manifold is adding heat under there and into the intake manifold and the fuel system. I have not yet put a resolution in place (such as new exhaust manifold and auxilliary venting of the underhood, loovers, rear hood lift) I think you are takeing a step in the right direction lifting rear of your hood to get some hot air out.
Trending Topics
I've done all I can for my 99 in the way of making sure the coolant sys is functioning properly, and it is, but eventually the heat gets the better of it and causes the afore mentioned stumbling. Things that come to mind
Spectre style cowl intake
Space the back of hood up 1-2"
Thermal gun to determine things like thermostat temp
Rad flush
New rad
Separate tranny cooler
Heat wrap injectors, heads, intake, fuel rail
Install hood vents (not all have to be ghetto looking!!)
Spectre style cowl intake
Space the back of hood up 1-2"
Thermal gun to determine things like thermostat temp
Rad flush
New rad
Separate tranny cooler
Heat wrap injectors, heads, intake, fuel rail
Install hood vents (not all have to be ghetto looking!!)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Year: 1996
Engine: Straight 6 -- 4.0L
I just removed my fuel rail and wrapped it with heat wrap and ran my jeep on some trails and it ran bad. Vapor locked about 20 times in a 2 hour period. I am going to install louvers this up coming Wednesday. I don't know what else to do. I could order a fuel cooler and install it somewhere... I also heard about someone using a cooking sheet as a heat shield to keep away from the fuel rail.. I really need help.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
None really. I think the water pump is somewhat new which means most of the coolant is new. I did raise up the back of the hood about an inch. I just purchased hood louvers and will install at a later date. And I did hook up a switch to my acc fan relay so I can manually turn on the fan when needed.
I just removed my fuel rail and wrapped it with heat wrap and ran my jeep on some trails and it ran bad. Vapor locked about 20 times in a 2 hour period. I am going to install louvers this up coming Wednesday. I don't know what else to do. I could order a fuel cooler and install it somewhere... I also heard about someone using a cooking sheet as a heat shield to keep away from the fuel rail.. I really need help.
I'm trying to help......after the hood vents are in and IF the problem still persists, maybe start with cooling system maintenance, ignition system maintenance, various intake sensor checks, etc.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Year: 1996
Engine: Straight 6 -- 4.0L
I just installed a fuel cooler. Haven't ridden on the trails yet. I also got the hood louvers installed. We will see how she runs. I'll let you guys know. Hopefully the cooler helps. All I do is pop the top and throw some crushed ice or some dry ice in there.
As previously said, there is something wrong with your cooling system, if the cherokee required hood vents and a fuel cooling apparatus it would of come with it from the factory, and its only April, what the hell r u going to do this summer???? Go check your cooling componets


