Drop in a quarter cup of Amway SA8 laundry detergent. Drive normally for a couple of weeks. Rinse. Repeat as needed. Might take 2 or 3 rounds.

Cleans the system better than any commercial flush product, with no danger of damage to the components.


You can find dealers online.


Some say Dawn dishwashing liquid works, too. Dunno, haven't tried it.

Yep
 

The first thing I had to do to my 97 when I got it was pull the manifolds and change the side freeze plugs. The one in the back of the block is holding but going to probably leak soon.

update
 

finally was able to look at issue today regarding temp a little high and then when turned car off coolant everywhere

all hoses look ok....no leaks at hoses as i could see

radiator was full from what i could see

overflow tank empty....was full prior....seems it came out of overflow tank...no cracks in overflow tank..

possible coolant came out of radiator cap safety psi vent....but not 100% sure

started car and ran in park for 20 min and temp was about 190-200....no leaks underneath


any ideas what happened???

thanks

when i say radiator full i dont know for sure i just know when i opened cap the fluid was to top of cap

why did temp slowly go abouve 230 while expressway driving and why did coolant spew out of what appears to be overflow tank when car shut off

update....drove cherokee home from work last night about 10 miles and temp stayed below 200f

got up in am and ran car in park for 25 min temp stayed under 200f

drove car to work today and temp stayed below 200f

so far after the incident where overflow tank emptied out ...seems the temp is actually 10-20f lower....i have only driven it 2 days since then but so far thats how it is behaving...

also here is a photo of the coolant and my system has been flushed and filled 2 diff times in past month ,,,,its horrible looking

any ideas?

and here is a pic of me repairing my fan shroud...it broke in 3 places...and its pretty strong now..used aluminum plates....:)

You need to find a new shop to flush your coolant. Whoever did it didn't do a good job. Make sure to flush your heater core. A lot of crud can accumulate there, which would explain your heat being warm, not hot.

Try replacing your fan clutch. I was having problems with temp creeping up even at decent speeds with all new rad, pump, and t stat. Thats what fixed it for me. And that coolant is nasty! you should backflush your heater core too. You will be amazed at the amount of gunk that will come out. I've noticed they act like a filter almost in these cooling systems. Also you can put some cascade dishwasher detergent in your rad and drive around for a few days. it will loosen up alot of the gunk.

like i said entire cooling system has been flushed 2 diff times b 2 diff shops in past month

reverse flushed forward flushed everyway flushed

including heater core

and still looks bad

as of not past 3 days vehicle has stayed below 200f....which is good.....maybe the system had an air pocket in it causing the running a little hot then it burped real bad and now all good?

Every new XJ owner should do a major service to the cooling system. Sooner than later. It's basic good sense with these vehicles. You don't want a fun trip to go bad. And have to hike out.

I had all the same things you had, including the rusty antifreeze after 2 flushes. Turns out, my actual core was shot. When I say shot, I mean shot.

Seems like the heater core is the only thing you haven't replaced yet. It may not be that for sure, but it worth investigation. Do you have foggy windows alot? Also inspect under the heater box for signs of anti freeze.

My 99 has a leak in the core. I don't know if it was just later xj's but there is a drain into the engine compartment. It's a tube that comes out of the firewall and turns down just to the passenger side if the oil filter over the"frame rail".

i know heater core is shot but not replacing it too coslty for this old vehicle

i dont have much heat at all.....