I finally picked up our 96 XJ from Oklahoma this weekend and drove it back to Texas. The XJ only has 67K miles, but the previous owner indicated that it had recently had the head gasket replaced and that the radiator had been replaced twice.

The drive was uneventful, but when I stopped at home, the radiator was puking coolant from the cap. The temperature idiot light did not come on during the drive. The overflow tank was well over "FULL" but not full to the top (see photo below.) Clearly the previous owner had overfilled the tank / radiator, or perhaps there was an air pocket somewhere in the system.

That said, why would the radiator overflow from the cap rather than continuing to overflow into the reservoir? Do you think that the cap needs to be replaced?

 

First thing I'd do is replace the cap. The outer seal is probably shot if it's leaking at the cap/filler neck.

 

Thanks. That is what I was thinking, too. I plan to replace the cap and drain some of the coolant.

 

If the cap is shot and sucking in air as it cools, it might not actually be overfilled. You'll know pretty quick if the rad isn't full when you take the cap off (cold).

 

Thanks! When I took off the cap cold, the coolant was at the top of the radiator. While the gasket on the cap looked fine, I replaced the cap anyway. I also siphoned out coolant from the overflow reservoir until it was at "FULL." I have driven it some but not enough to get it really hot.

 

In addition to new cap, unless you know the coolant is fresh, it should be replaced, recommend a flushing tee for a flush too. give the hoses a once over too, make sure they have not aged to the point of trouble.

lets see photos of your new CHEROKEE!

 

What's the point of a flushing tee when you can just pop off couple of hoses and use a garden hose to flush it? Coolant flushes on a Cherokee are stupid easy. Other newer cars, not so much.

 

Maybe the fan clutch is the issue?

 

According to the previous owner, he replaced the radiator twice, so the coolant is not that old. I tested the coolant, and it showed good to 265F on the high side and -25F on the cold side.

I did not see any signs of it overheating when it was puking coolant. Besides the idiot light not coming on, the engine did not even feel that hot (not radiating a bunch of heat). There were no unusual sounds or smells either.

I will check the fan clutch. That is always something to watch.

 

You asked for photos, so here are a few of the exterior after I detailed it.

 

Here are a few of the interior:

 

Here are a few of the rest of the vehicle:

 

Lookin' good!

 

That Jeep looks great. The 96 is a weird model year, but well worth it.

 

Thanks, guys!