Aluminum radiator for XJ - BEWARE!!!
05-13-2009, 09:11 PM
#16
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My jeep a 91 open system runs below 210 consistently..When I replaced the motor I replaced all the cooling parts ie water pump, t-stat-t-stat housing, temp sensor, temp sendor, clutch fan, hoses...Only hose I did not replace was the heater hose from the t-stat housing to heater valve and ones from heater core to heater valve. Always ran cool except when I was in say a drive thru with exhaust running up my nose it would creep to about 215 but never higher..I was pissed as hell since everything was new.. Well I decided to replace the heater hose from t-stat housing to heater valve...Low and bhold the heater valve fitting snapped when trying to wiggle hose off..So I replaced the valve and what do ya know my mild heat issue went completely away and I never get over 200..
Anyways moral of the story if you are having heat issues and have replaced everything look at the heater valve. Mechanic told me if it's not working properly it could be a restriction in proper coolant flow through out the entire system. Bottom line to eliminate heat issues you have to address the entire system not just the common parts.
I know that's a touch off-topic but someone mentioned heating issues somewhere I think..
Oh and the CFS is definitely the way to go it will provide more surface area for cooling and heat disipation. Really a no brainer IMHO. Also IMHO the Jeep's from the factory should have had better radiators.
Anyways moral of the story if you are having heat issues and have replaced everything look at the heater valve. Mechanic told me if it's not working properly it could be a restriction in proper coolant flow through out the entire system. Bottom line to eliminate heat issues you have to address the entire system not just the common parts.
I know that's a touch off-topic but someone mentioned heating issues somewhere I think..
Oh and the CFS is definitely the way to go it will provide more surface area for cooling and heat disipation. Really a no brainer IMHO. Also IMHO the Jeep's from the factory should have had better radiators.
Thanks for some great advice. I will give the whole cooling system a once over before we leave for the trip.
05-13-2009, 09:44 PM
#17
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 1995 ZJ 4.0
CFS 3 core radiator and replace the clutch fan with another electric fan. cause even in "working order" some XJ's just get hot under the hood for some reason.
05-13-2009, 09:53 PM
#18
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Dude that sucks, I would be calling the manufacture up to let them know my opinions. I was contemplating that radiator when I was shopping for one, but opted for the 3 row, but it wasn't the CSF one. Still has worked great for me and has a lifetime warranty and free removal and installation if it does go bad so I had to do it. I bought it at a local radiator shop. Sorry to hear that, but I would still call the company, who knows they might even ship you a new one and have you ship yours to them so they could see what went wrong.
06-20-2009, 10:27 AM
#22
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Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Radiatorbarn.com has the CSF for $166.77 shipped. Here's the link:
http://www.radiatorbarn.com/search.php?product=radiator
http://www.radiatorbarn.com/search.php?product=radiator
06-20-2009, 10:49 AM
#24
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Year: 93
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
some will swear by the csf and tell you yes but me personally if it aint broke dont fix it, its not that hard tho just do some research and itll only take a few hours to do it.
06-20-2009, 11:04 AM
#25
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Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: l6 HO
I agree with Claygrassmann....to a certain extent. If it ain't broke, Don't fix it...UNLESS you really want to.... then break it first and then fix it better...lol...Tj
06-20-2009, 11:59 AM
#26
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Model: Cherokee
another sugestion 1-800- radiator I just bought a 3 row all brass metal tanks for my kid 93 sport cherokee for $156.00 + tax shipping is goint to be expensive the box is about 23 lbs this people are here in south Florida it looks very good to me
06-20-2009, 08:48 PM
#27
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
radiatorbarn will not carry though on there warrantys i had mine in for two weeks and one of the straps was twisted and hit my fan causing it to go into the radiator and they will not replace it because i should have noticed it before i put it in
06-25-2009, 11:52 AM
#28
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Model: Cherokee
I had the EXACT same thing happen to me. I bought one of these wonder radiators since I'm in hot AZ, and the side tanks split out in less than a month. A radiator guy told me it was not repairable.
Quadratec replaced the hunk of crap. But I had already had the shop install a standard radiator so I could get my jeep on the road again.
I ended up selling the replacement to someone back east. I hope I didn't shaft some guy with a turd radiator. Of course, Performance claimed that they never have this type of problem with their product when I called them.
Quadratec replaced the hunk of crap. But I had already had the shop install a standard radiator so I could get my jeep on the road again.
I ended up selling the replacement to someone back east. I hope I didn't shaft some guy with a turd radiator. Of course, Performance claimed that they never have this type of problem with their product when I called them.
10-16-2012, 06:58 PM
#30
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Model: Cherokee
Last Fall I bought one of those brand new Active Performance all-aluminum radiators for the XJ that are in the Quadratec catalog. I knew heat was always an issue with the XJ, and I thought it would work great to keep the engine nice & cool. I have an aluminum unit in my CJ that's made by an outfit called Be-Cool, and it works perfect.
All through the Winter it worked fine with no problems. Well, now... less than 8 months since initial install (and professional install, too) I have to replace it because the entire side weld seam blew out and it is leaking like the Titanic!!!!!! And of course it is past their 90 day factory warranty period, so I have to take it in the shorts! WOW!! Nothing like flushing $500 down the stool!!
And now of all times, as I lost my job 2 weeks ago when Chrysler shut down until... whenever. Crap. Anyhow, I opted to replace it with a genuine MOPAR stock unit. At least I know that will hold up. Maybe later I can look into one of those cowl induction hoods as an alternative way to help keep the mill cool. *SIGH*
Buyers beware!!! Your mileage may vary, but please keep my misfortune in mind if you're contemplating buying one of these things.
All through the Winter it worked fine with no problems. Well, now... less than 8 months since initial install (and professional install, too) I have to replace it because the entire side weld seam blew out and it is leaking like the Titanic!!!!!! And of course it is past their 90 day factory warranty period, so I have to take it in the shorts! WOW!! Nothing like flushing $500 down the stool!!
And now of all times, as I lost my job 2 weeks ago when Chrysler shut down until... whenever. Crap. Anyhow, I opted to replace it with a genuine MOPAR stock unit. At least I know that will hold up. Maybe later I can look into one of those cowl induction hoods as an alternative way to help keep the mill cool. *SIGH*
Buyers beware!!! Your mileage may vary, but please keep my misfortune in mind if you're contemplating buying one of these things.
that sucks I give a 2yr warranty on the 100% aluminum for TJ,YJ,CJ even FJ! lol all for under $150