I have a '90 Cherokee with the 4.0.
A few months ago I noticed that about half of the coolant spilled out, so I refilled it and left.
A month after that, I had my temp. overheating light come on for the first time since I have owned it. I once again let it cool, and refilled my coolant reservoir.
In the course of this month, the truck has overheated about 7 times.
During the more recent overheatings, the coolant has been bubbling hard enough to shake the reservoir around.
I replaced the t-stat, and water outlet, checked for leaks, and refilled it with fresh coolant.
It ran fine for about a week after replacing the t-stat, but started overheating again.
I can barely drive it 2 miles to work now.
(Please don't lecture me on not driving it. I know I shouldn't but it is my only vehicle.)
My father suspects a bad head gasket, or a warped head.
I need the truck running asap, and need a second opinion.
Tomorrow i'm gonna start with a pressure test at the reservoir, a drain and flush of the radiator, and hoses.
In the meantime, is there anything I can do? I have to work the next 4 days in a row.
Thank you all!

 

More info please!
When was the last time the coolant was flushed?
What did the coolant look like?
What water temp was your jeep running at a month before it took a crap?
Did your heater work before the system took a crap?
Where you leaking coolant?
Etc.

Most importantly (cuz your dad has a gasket in question) what does your oil look like. Is it a lil bubbly and light in color. These are signs of a blown head gasket, coolant can get into the oil system thus causing sickening looking oil.

First guess is your puking coolant due to a clog in the system, pretty soon your gonna blow out a hose.

Imo your cooling system is clogged and needs to be flushed repeatedly.

 

I don't remember when the last time the system was flushed. My family bought it in '97, we put maybe 50k miles on it, and then it sat untouched for several years. But I am going to do one tomorrow.

The coolant was fresh looking every time, and still green.

I have the base with idiot lights, so I do not know how hot it was running, but it was boiling and steaming pretty good.

Yes the heater worked before, and still works after taking a crap.

I'm leaking coolant from underneath, just behind the front transaxle, and now from directly below the radiator. I also found a small puddle under the reservoir itself. I checked and there are not any cracks on the reservoir. It isn't a slow leak, I parked at work today for 7 hours, literally filled the reservoir before I left, came back and checked to find out it was empty.

Also, I forgot to add. The other night I was out for a drive, and the light came on. I pulled off the freeway and onto some side streets. The Jeep started to sputter and idle rough, as if the spark plugs were fouled (though they are fairly fresh), and I had about 50% power. I had to really push the pedal.

The problem is progressively getting worse too. When I got home I felt the block itself, it scolded me. (I went exactly 1.6 miles)

 

Your coolant system is f'd and the sputtering was caused by severe overheat.

Youu said dont want to hear it but i wouldnt drive it beyond just a warm up. a couple more overheats and your gonna warp that bulletproof head.

 

I was just talking to my dad and he said it's a weird cooling system and he has to look into it.

By the way, I didn't mean it in a rude way. I know it'll kill it if I continue, and that isn't what I want.

 

So, upon pressure test I found a pinhole in my coolant reservoir.
I checked all hoses, and they are in fair to good condition.
I'm gonna flush the system, replace the reservoir, and hope for the best.

 

Don't use the cap that comes with the reservoir. Get a Napa 703-1396 cap.

 

Sounds like only one of the four main cooling system components has ever been replaced. Why not start with replacing the other three main components (radiator, water pump and fan clutch) before suspecting the head. What's weird about the cooling system? A bazillion chevys/gmcs have the closed cooling system. Our '06 Saturn with a Honda VTEC V6 has a closed cooling system. If u don't quickly address the overheating problem, u may be walking soon.

Replacing the complete cooling system now and maintaining it on a regular basis just about eliminates having to "hope for the best".

 

I would love to replace the cooling system.
There is a lot of work I would do to it honesty, I just don't have the money.

The new reservoir stopped the overheating problem. I took the Jeep out for a nice spin, with a mix of city/highway. It's fine a quarter tank of gas later.
Thank you all for your replies.

 

Before pointing to a warped head, I would AT LEAST replace the water pump... have you checked to see if there is any evidence of water coming from the weap hole on the pump? I saw a similar problem with mine last year. I started with the T-Stat and then when I noticed the little puddle on the ground towards the front of my engine and sure enough... water coming from the weap hole... new pump and all was well.