88 xj overheating
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
A few months ago i bought a 88 cheroke laredo I6 and everythings been running great. Last week the old serpentine belt broke so i put a new one on and abut 20 miles later it fell off and the jeep overheated with smoke coming out. it ended up being the water pump bearing was making the pulley loose and throwing the belt. so i replaced the water pump and the belt worked fine. Now i cant drive for more than 5 minutes without overheating. I put new coolant in, but it doesnt seem to be going through because the hoses dont get hot and they dont seem to have pressure. Also the heat has never worked good, long time to warm up and doesnt get very hot if that has anything to do with it. Any help is aprreciated thanks
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 5
From: Arkansas
Year: 1987 & 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just a few things.....
Replace the thermostat.
Remove the heater hoses from the firewall, and flush the heater core with a garden hose.
Do not get a gimmick flush system, those will not flush the heater core!
How clean was the coolant? You could have a partially plugged radiator and they are small for the engine size anyway and it doesn't take a lot blockage to make an issue in the Cherokee.
You also need to bleed air from the block.
Remove the temp sensor beside the valve cover towards the back of the intake, and slowly fill till coolant starts to run out. This will insure you have no air trapped in the head.
You can also pull radiator hoses and back flush it with a garden hose, push water in from the top hose so it will free any buildup. Use the top hose since its the opposite direction coolant normally flows and will push crap out.
Replace the thermostat.
Remove the heater hoses from the firewall, and flush the heater core with a garden hose.
Do not get a gimmick flush system, those will not flush the heater core!
How clean was the coolant? You could have a partially plugged radiator and they are small for the engine size anyway and it doesn't take a lot blockage to make an issue in the Cherokee.
You also need to bleed air from the block.
Remove the temp sensor beside the valve cover towards the back of the intake, and slowly fill till coolant starts to run out. This will insure you have no air trapped in the head.
You can also pull radiator hoses and back flush it with a garden hose, push water in from the top hose so it will free any buildup. Use the top hose since its the opposite direction coolant normally flows and will push crap out.
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