Hello all I'm new to the forum

I have a '96 Cherokee Country 4.0L. It has been having some overheating problems at long light ect... The expansion tank is filling up but the coolant is not returning to the radiator as it cools. I've replaced the radiator cap and put hose clamps on the overflow hose to make sure there was no leak at the connections. I don't seem to have any cracks in the tank that are leaking or visible. It is the tank with the push on cap not the threaded one.

Does this sound like I just need a new expansion tank or could there be something else going on?

Thanks in advance Mick.

 

I'd still suspect the rad cap or a leak (air) somewhere. The rad cap is a 2 way valve allowing some coolant to escape the rad when the motor heats up and allow coolant to return to the rad when the motor cools. If the cap is the correct one and functioning correctly, and coolant level in the bottle doesn't drop as the motor cools, then most likely air is returning to the rad via a leak somewhere.

 

Sounds like you have a crappy rad cap. Get a stant.

Before that though. You could also take out your overflow bottle and clean it out really good it can get a good enough pile of gunk in it to clog it up.

 

Thanks, I'll give the stant cap a try as well as a new hose to the tank.

 

This was the issue can't believe I totally overlooked this.

Sorry I haven't gotten back as I have only recently been browsing the forum again and realized that its kind of annoying when no one responds with what actually worked. So i felt i needed to get back so others reading this may get a follow though to confirm some replies to the initial question.

 

How did you clean it out? The hole is rather small to get your hand into it.

 

I just bought a new one as it looked pretty old probably the original.

 

How was water going in but not going back ?

 

I don't know for sure but it was. Maybe it had enough pressure to push in but as it sucked back in it wasn't quite strong enough? Or maybe there was a small clump that was getting stuck in the opening as it sucked in. It was pretty nasty inside. It looked like cement on the bottom but the fluid in the bottle looked fine from the top.