mnjlovell

Ok, i purchased a 2001 XJ about a month ago. it was a few days before the outside temperature got over 100f and i noticed the jeep would overheat (temp gauge in the red). I began troubleshooting the issue, but could find no real cause. I ended up replacing everything in the cooling system: radiator cap, thermostat (tried 195 and 180), water pump, hoses, radiator (CST 3-row), fan clutch, coolant flush... testing for hydrocarbons in the coolant (no sign), compression test (all good), pressure test of the system (held 16psi fine).

I was still having problems with it getting hot when the outside temp was above 95 and the AC was on.

I used some prestone cooling system cleaner for about 6 operating hours in the system (over 4 days) because i noticed some sediment on the radiator cap (even after a flush and an addition drain/fill when the radiator was replaced). The coolant was definately dirty when i flushed it again...

now, with the 180 stat installed, the temp does not raise above the line below 210 on the gauge when driving at night with the ac off, but during the day with outside temps around 90 and the AC on, the temp goes up to the 210 mark- but seems to hang around there.

on all the newer cars i have driven, the temp gauge does not budge no matter what the conditions unless something is wrong (or maybe if towing on a 100f day with the AC on, up a serious grade...). Is this temperature variation 'normal' for cherokees?

XJ Stryker

I think you are good to go. If you are still having problems. Change the Water pump. I would think you are not getting good flow anymore. (plus its the only thing left that wasn't on your list)

Dugualla

XJ's just absolutely love to flirt with the 210 mark. That is where they are supposed to run. The electric fan doesn't even come on until you reach 224 or something like that.

djb383

When all is normal, the factory XJ idiot light stays off and the factory idiot gauge stays at 210. If you install an accurate aftermarket gauge (analog or digital), you'll see substantial coolant temp changes (once t-stat temp is reached), due to varying driving conditions especially this time of year (hot). This is all perfectly normal but seldom will a factory idiot gauge show actual coolant temp yoyo. The factory gauge goes to the middle and sits there. The XJ temp gauge is somewhat better than most factory gauges, it does have 3 numbers on it unlike most others with just a "C" and "H".

Andrew0257

I had the same issue with my 92. The only way I as able solve it was to put 3 ten inch fans on the radiator. I seperated the tranny from the rad and ran a seperate cooler with another ten inch fan for the tranny. I was able to run in 4lo with ac on in florida summer with no problems

rich

I have a 3 core rad new hose s bottom one has the spring in it does yours? new waterpump, 195 t stat, new clutch for fan a standerd replacement, stays at 195. When in traffic it climbs a bit than electric fan runs and it cools down. Now in traffic with a/c running and stopped temp rises fast than fan comes on and stays on temp around 210 pointer straight up than cools back down too 195 when moving again. Pointer one before 210 roughly. Now some xjs benifit from a high vol pump I cant tell you it will work for yours but if flow is your problem than well maybe it will good luck

mnjlovell

thanks for the replies... im thinking its Ok now too and the variance is just 'normal' for this jeep. ill have to wait for another 100f+ day to really see how high the temp goes.

not to move on to building a roof rack

2Evil4U

It sounds normal. The temp gauge on my 97 wanders a bit. Stays at 190 w/o AC. about 200 with A/C (95 ambient) and last week in traffic on a 97 degree day it got up to about 210.

It does not have a radiator shroud. (Hacked off by the shop that replaced the rad for the previous owner.) The new shroud is being delivered today so I'll be able to see if that makes any difference in low speed, hot conditions.

djb383

Where is 190 and 200?

rich

Right between 189 and 201.

cubanchris81

I have a 98 was chasin same problem til today i ve been runin Jeep with no t-stat & gauge was still readin around 200 so today was runin heat while gauge was up blowin cold air & didn't start blowin warm air out until sittin in traffic for about 20min was cooler today in PA high 80's. Gauge wasn't reading temperature correctly.

Dugualla

Blowing cold air when sitting in traffic tells me hot water is not flowing into the heater core, could be low coolant level, bad water pump, air bubble, obstruction such as a collapsed hose. Just because the heater isn't blowing hot air doesn't mean it is OK, in fact it probably isn't.