TheVision

My DD 98 XJ has been idling really rough and overheating.

I had tranny fluid break in the return tranny cooler, hit the electric fan and ended up all over the right side of my engine. I fixed the hose and now my cherokee idles really rough and at 1400 RPM and overheats.

Any idea what could be messed up? Cylinder Misfire? Fluid on my serpentine belt?

How would I go about fixing this, I am not very mechanically inclined...



I need to drive somewhere on Monday desperately

captainwoot

check your dist cap, rotor, and wires. the atf might have wrecked your ignition wires

Detour

A simple start is to disconnect the battery for say.....5 minutes, to reset the codes........from there, use the codes as a starting point.

91familyxj

X2 on what was said so far. I would pull the cap off and look at all the wire also. also with the over heating. Does your electric far turn on or no? check the t stat or just replace it (5ish bucks ) that can be stuck and cause the heat problem. Also this may sound dumb but whats your water level at and what ratio are you running.

TheVision

Ok thanks captainwoot, I checked them and they seemed fine and clean, or is there something im supposed to be looking for?

Detour
I've done this, but then realized I don't have a code reader and I don't think my XJ would make it to the nearest autozone (30 miles away).


91familyXJ

My electric fan does not turn on unless its really hot i think, and tomorrow I will see if it turn on if I turn on the AC, and if that doesn't work i'll hook it directly to the battery.

I have a stant thermostat, but I havent gotten around to replacing it, but why would that make my engine shake when in park and idle. I don't know how to check my water level, or if you mean my coolant resevoir, its at near full in the resevoir and i'm running a 50/50 ratio.

Also I flushed my coolant a while ago because it was brown when I bought it (Im assuming rust or oil?).

Thanks.

91familyxj

The t stat will just change the temp in the motor. I run a 180* t sta I wouldnt run anything else but maby a 190 or 195 whatever it is. you dont wanna run a 160* due to it will never close and you will never cool your coolant. As far as checking it depending on if you have an open system or not just take the rad. cap off. Thats good you had it flushed and are running 50/50. As for the idleing you just have to make sure you dont have fluid on anything. Did it run fine before the line broke? Look around your wires and plugs and cap and rotor or just replace them if its almost time anyways and you have the cash. Also look around your injectors and the connector for your injectors.

91familyxj

Also your fan should kick on around 200*