89 Jeep cherokee barely warm heat
Hey guys my 89 jeep Cherokee's cab wont heat up in this cold weather, It blows out warm air but no very warm at all not hot like it should. I flushed out my heater core and made sure it wasn't clogged, my heater valve is working properly its got a new thermostat and water pump. What else would cause me not to have hot air? Any advice it appreciated
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Vermont
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Str8 6 4.0l
Hey guys my 89 jeep Cherokee's cab wont heat up in this cold weather, It blows out warm air but no very warm at all not hot like it should. I flushed out my heater core and made sure it wasn't clogged, my heater valve is working properly its got a new thermostat and water pump. What else would cause me not to have hot air? Any advice it appreciated 

I'm having issues with my heater core has reduced flow; I can get clear water both ways when I clear it out but due to crap building in there is not enough element to heat up.
Been told water will calcify in the heater core.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Hey guys my 89 jeep Cherokee's cab wont heat up in this cold weather, It blows out warm air but no very warm at all not hot like it should. I flushed out my heater core and made sure it wasn't clogged, my heater valve is working properly its got a new thermostat and water pump. What else would cause me not to have hot air? Any advice it appreciated 

CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I have the same problem on my old Jeep. I get good flow flushing the core, but pretty medeoker heat, even with the coolant at 195*
Likely I have an issue with the core, but mice...they do DO things....They did put together a team and make a few hits, (goal unclear). Sabotage? Maybe..I did have some stuff blow out my vents, (like my registration, proof of insurance ect...) I wonder if there might be a bunch of stuff in there somewhere blocking 3/4 of the core.
I did once see a "butterfly" valve where the back was all caked with deposits, so while open, only 1/2 the flow was allowed. If you do look at that BEWARE! That valve plastic crumbles easily. I might cut the old hose's if I wanted to get a look at mine.
I did a 1/2 harted treatment with CLR.....no help there. Maybe if I left it longer while it was warmer.
Likely I have an issue with the core, but mice...they do DO things....They did put together a team and make a few hits, (goal unclear). Sabotage? Maybe..I did have some stuff blow out my vents, (like my registration, proof of insurance ect...) I wonder if there might be a bunch of stuff in there somewhere blocking 3/4 of the core.
I did once see a "butterfly" valve where the back was all caked with deposits, so while open, only 1/2 the flow was allowed. If you do look at that BEWARE! That valve plastic crumbles easily. I might cut the old hose's if I wanted to get a look at mine.
I did a 1/2 harted treatment with CLR.....no help there. Maybe if I left it longer while it was warmer.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have the same problem on my old Jeep. I get good flow flushing the core, but pretty medeoker heat, even with the coolant at 195*
Likely I have an issue with the core, but mice...they do DO things....They did put together a team and make a few hits, (goal unclear). Sabotage? Maybe..I did have some stuff blow out my vents, (like my registration, proof of insurance ect...) I wonder if there might be a bunch of stuff in there somewhere blocking 3/4 of the core.
I did once see a "butterfly" valve where the back was all caked with deposits, so while open, only 1/2 the flow was allowed. If you do look at that BEWARE! That valve plastic crumbles easily. I might cut the old hose's if I wanted to get a look at mine.
I did a 1/2 harted treatment with CLR.....no help there. Maybe if I left it longer while it was warmer.
Likely I have an issue with the core, but mice...they do DO things....They did put together a team and make a few hits, (goal unclear). Sabotage? Maybe..I did have some stuff blow out my vents, (like my registration, proof of insurance ect...) I wonder if there might be a bunch of stuff in there somewhere blocking 3/4 of the core.
I did once see a "butterfly" valve where the back was all caked with deposits, so while open, only 1/2 the flow was allowed. If you do look at that BEWARE! That valve plastic crumbles easily. I might cut the old hose's if I wanted to get a look at mine.
I did a 1/2 harted treatment with CLR.....no help there. Maybe if I left it longer while it was warmer.
I got the stat from nappa and I belive its 195? and if I do away with the valve and spice a tube in wont it blow heat even when you turn the heat off since the valve wont close off the warm coolant?
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I'll bet our Napa stat is faulty and opening too soon. What's your dash gauge say?
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CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I made the mistake of assuming that if you had flushed your core, your engine had been operating at temp. The valve being an issue is not likely if it looks like it's opening, and eliminating it is not supper easy. Also long ago I remember my Jeep getting too hot with no AC and the valve open.
On Cruiser's advice I'm going to swap my new(ish), Napa T-stat (both 195*), with this OEM stat...in a few tanks...
On Cruiser's advice I'm going to swap my new(ish), Napa T-stat (both 195*), with this OEM stat...in a few tanks...
Last edited by DFlintstone; Feb 21, 2013 at 10:15 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Vermont
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Str8 6 4.0l
Does the top hose from radiator to tip if thermostats build pressure when jeep
Gets up to temp?
When you turn temp **** does the temp of air relatively change at all from cold to hot?
Gets up to temp?
When you turn temp **** does the temp of air relatively change at all from cold to hot?
Im not too sure it it does build pressure or not, Ill have to check when I drive to work tomorrow, if it doesn't would that mean that my stat is stuck open? and yes the temp does change from cold to hot.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
If you are really in a bind you can pull it and put it in a pot of water and see how it opens. I'll be checking MY Napa T-stat after I change to the OEM.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Feb 21, 2013 at 10:17 PM.


