When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
I'm new to jeeps just purchased a 1996 XJ, it's leaking oil and coolant. When I opened the cap on radiator the coolant was a greenish brown color(pic included). Is this normal with old coolant or is oil getting into coolant. I plan on doing a coolant system flush and replacing radiator, upper and lower hoses, water pump, fan clutch, thermostat/ housing, etc... do I have a bigger issue on my hands by the color of the coolant.
That looks like sediment to me. If you want to know if you've got a cracked head, look at the oil dipstick and also take the oil cap off the valve cover. If you have coolant mixing with the oil, you'll have a milkshake there.
I'd say start by doing a full flush, probably several times until you get clean water coming out the drain plug hole. If that doesn't happen, you may have a clogged radiator. Not uncommon for these or any vehicle for that matter that doesn't get flushed properly. And they are fairly cheap too.
X2 flush it till you you get clean water then run it for a couple days and see if it needs to be flushed again . I had to flush mine about 4 times before it stayed clean , then I changed the radiator and hoses .
Have fun getting to the radiator drain. In fact, skip it altogether. Place a 5 gallon bucket under the water pump and pull the lower radiator hose off. Pulling the airbox gives you more room to work up top. You might end up taking a bath from underneath. Been there, done that.
Have fun getting to the radiator drain. In fact, skip it altogether. Place a 5 gallon bucket under the water pump and pull the lower radiator hose off. Pulling the airbox gives you more room to work up top. You might end up taking a bath from underneath. Been there, done that.
x2 - I just did my radiator flush today and while I had no problem -getting to- the drain, when I turned it a bit and nothing came out I said f it and pulled the airbox off and then it was easy peazy using the lower hose.
Of course, my coolant at the start was a nice clean green - I was doing the flush as routine maintenance since I hadn't done one since getting the Jeep (that and I did the HCV elimination at the same time.).
Have fun getting to the radiator drain. In fact, skip it altogether. Place a 5 gallon bucket under the water pump and pull the lower radiator hose off. Pulling the airbox gives you more room to work up top. You might end up taking a bath from underneath. Been there, done that.
Honestly I think this is the best way, I would rather break a five dollar hose than a $200 radiator. Plastic parts get brittle after so many hot-cold cycles.
Have fun getting to the radiator drain. In fact, skip it altogether. Place a 5 gallon bucket under the water pump and pull the lower radiator hose off. Pulling the airbox gives you more room to work up top. You might end up taking a bath from underneath. Been there, done that.
X6million.... lol. that is the damn truth. Whoever designed that stupid petcock drain on these OEM radiators should've been taken out, tarred, feathered, pushed down a steep hill... and then fired. Literally dumbest design I've ever seen and nearly impossible to get to.
Honestly I think this is the best way, I would rather break a five dollar hose than a $200 radiator. Plastic parts get brittle after so many hot-cold cycles.
I have never once opened the drain on the radiator. Like all have said, bad design and expensive if something happens. Pull the lower hose and drain from there.
04-15-2018, 08:28 PM
Coolant Color
