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1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Still Overheating

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Old 07-28-2012, 01:11 AM
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Default 1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Still Overheating

Hello all,

I need some help, I am still overheating when stopped or traffic.. I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 straight 6 with 166500 miles. I have already replaced the water pump, thermostat twice, heater valve, Fan Clutch and Radiator Cap. The electric fan comes on when I turn on the a/c(which runs great) or I flip the switch to turn it on. there is no milky substance in the oil, It does not smoke at all and the tranny fluid is fine, full and no burnt smell. I have flushed the coolant 3 times since Nov 2011 from the highest point near the Heater core hoses. I have also pulled the drain plug on the radaitor to see if there was a blockage and water ran out of the drain plug fine.

When driving at 50 to 75 the temp is beautiful at 210, but as soon as I stop or get in traffic is creeps up there, I redlined once

I love this jeep since its a 2 door model and I want it fixed.

any help will be appreciated TY all

Crazyaces69
Old 07-28-2012, 01:31 AM
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Could be your radiator/AC condensor fins are clogged. I just did a coolant system fix on my '96 a couple days ago(weak fan clutch). Mine were clogged pretty good. Took compressed air and a power washer to get them clean enough for me.
Old 07-28-2012, 02:33 AM
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Thanks I will check the radiator fins, the AC condensor is also new, just to many parts I forgot to add that one, I will go remove the Grill now
Old 07-28-2012, 02:49 AM
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ok Removed the grill. the radiator, a/c condenser, and tranny cooler are clear of debris, few bugs nothing big. fins not bent. so at a lose. any other pointers. Its has been aprox 100 degrees the past week here in Dallas TX
Old 07-28-2012, 03:09 AM
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Radiator cap (just replace for $3)
T-stat (top radiator hose get hard?)
Clutch fan (with car off, keys in hand, can you spin the fan?)
Old 07-28-2012, 06:38 AM
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Yes, New Radiator Cap
T-Stat Upper hose is not Hard, I burp it that way some times
and New fan clutch, so it does spin, so, not locked up
Old 07-28-2012, 08:16 AM
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Seems fan clutches become weaker gradually over time. Mine wouldn't work good enough to let me pull a long grade at highway speeds without my gauge getting almost into the red. When I'd shut the motor down the fan would be freely spinning when it should have stopped fairly quick. No other real problems other than the normal temp was a bit higher than what I thought should be normal. I found this and thought it to be helpful:
http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f6...rmation-18585/

You haven't mentioned the bottom rad hose. It should have a spring in it but if not it could be collapsing some so restricting coolant flow.
Old 07-28-2012, 08:54 AM
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Have u replaced the radiator?......the tubes/rows will get internally scaled-up/plugged. Flushing a crudeded-up rad, even with chemicals, is like taking a really dirty car thru one of those "touchless" car washes......it's still dirty.

Last edited by djb383; 07-28-2012 at 08:59 AM.
Old 07-28-2012, 11:48 AM
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Lower radiator hoses do not need springs in them.

Do you ever have to add coolant?
Old 07-28-2012, 11:56 AM
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Yea, have not replaced the radiator yet, just flushed a few times. the radiator only has 30,000 miles on it, the previous owner replaced it.
Old 07-28-2012, 11:58 AM
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and no never need coolant both the upper and lower radiator hoses are the originals
Old 07-28-2012, 12:02 PM
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It may be an internal hidden problem in the head. My '92 4.0 ran hot like that before and after a complete rebuild. I had thrown every part imaginable at it, like you have, and more.

That head had even been Magnafluxed and checked for warpage.

Finally had to tear it back down again and get another remaned head.

Problem solved.
Old 07-28-2012, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazyaces69
Yes, New Radiator Cap
T-Stat Upper hose is not Hard, I burp it that way some times
and New fan clutch, so it does spin, so, not locked up
On all 3 of my vehicles, none of the fan clutches (all new) spin more than 1/4"-1/2" Are you saying yours spins more? If so, problem #1

Your t-stat might be the issue. Problem #2

$40 fix there. Maybe 1hr time.

Good luck.

Last edited by CrawlerXJ; 07-28-2012 at 12:16 PM.
Old 07-28-2012, 12:16 PM
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New radiator?
Old 07-28-2012, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazyaces69
Yea, have not replaced the radiator yet, just flushed a few times. the radiator only has 30,000 miles on it, the previous owner replaced it.
When u 1st started cooling system maintenance, on the new to u XJ, what did the coolant look like when 1st drained?

16 year old hoses need to be replaced asap.

Last edited by djb383; 07-28-2012 at 12:50 PM.


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