Hello and I apologize in advance for the addition of ANOTHER cooling issue thread but at least I know the issue or think I do. I need recommendations on a new radiator, what have you guys ran and had the best luck with keeping the temps down and longevity?
I’ve had 2 cold case radiators recently, 1st one burst at the weld probably 4 months, less than 500 miles warrantied out and now the second one let go, not even a year and maybe a few thousand miles if that.
I’m also blowing through tstats? In the 2 years I’ve had the Jeep, it’s on its 4th one, I keep running into the issue of them working great until they don’t and being stuck open. Ive tried a new brand this time so we’ll see but thanks in advance!
1996 4.0, AW4 4x4, runs at 199-205 normally, is starting to creep up past 220 and is leaking antifreeze from radiator weld. I live in NM. The rest of the cooling system is all new, headgasket is new, virtually everything in the engine bay is new other than the block itself as of Feb’ 22.

 

I had a few issues with radiators, oddly enough pretty similar to yours. I'm on rad 3 in mine. I've feel truly compelled to believe that the problem is corrosion and rust in my system. I performed a flush before both cold case radiators, using rust eliminating solutions. my second cold case seems to have held up pretty good, but I'm not burning through t-stats. Might check into a descaler of some sort, maybe (as I'm wanting to do) a coolant filter? I cant imagine that 3 different manufacturers (in my case) would all have similar issues.

EDIT: Also, the Cold Case radiator cap was suspicious to me, so I bought a 13lb rad cap from O'Reileys

 

Well at least I’m not alone haha. Yea I’ve heard that cold case is pretty decent for aluminum radiator and I’d rather stay with aluminum as I’ve seen first hand plastic tanks explode but if I have to go back to them I will! The Jeep came from the rust belt but the head is brand new and the inside of the water jacket was fairly clean surprisingly, coolant has always been pure green. Rest of the cooling system is all new including the heater core. Looks like I may be getting a plastic tank rad, would just like to know which brands and from where.

 

I put in a Napa radiator in my 90 XJ. Going on two years with no issues. I think it's just a rebranded Spectrum. Used a premium Napa T-stat as well.

 

On my third radiator (including the original) in my 1996 XJ 373,000 miles.
Thermostats: Using the original since the one I got from Rock Auto and the Murray from O'Reilly both opened too cold. Stamped 195 but both were opening at 180ish.
If this one ever fails, I will hunt around Pull-A-Part for an original in a Jeep. New ones are crap, it seems.

Radiators: Brass not aluminum. Last one was replaced in 2019 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...pt=2172&jsn=20
The one before that was replaced in 2004ish with a brass/copper unit too.

A thought to consider with your radiator, maybe it should be the same material as your heater core to reduce possible galvanic corrosion.

Finally replaced electric fan.

 

Thank you for the links and I had known about copper/brass rads but I thought it was debunked that aluminum fins are just as good but I could be wrong, it’s been a while since I’ve researched this and both my current rad and heater core are aluminum, nothing is original unfortunately, the Jeep has seen some hard miles before I got to it….looks like the spectra rads are still doing okay? I remember they were a popular brand a while back but again, I haven’t researched this in a while and I just popped in a car quest 190, didn’t test before installed but so far so good on that note.

 

Okay good to hear!