Extreme heat in engine compartment
07-11-2018, 05:53 PM
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Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Extreme heat in engine compartment
I am a mail carrier. I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee in-line 6 Right Hand Dr. the engine compartment is getting extremely hot and seems to be messing with my electronics. Any ideas? The engine is not running high according to my gauge .
07-11-2018, 05:57 PM
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Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Is it getting abnormally hot? Normally the engine bay will be extremely hot.
If you are doing a lot of slow speed mail delivery, a larger fan clutch out of a ZJ Grand Cherokee would help increase airflow and bring engine bay temps down a touch. Adding some Napier hood vents would further reduce underhood temperature. Normally though, it should not be necessary. The majority of heat vents under the vehicle under normal circumstances
Have you kept up on the cooling system maintenance? Thoroughly flushed system and fresh coolant? New hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, water pump, radiator, etc? New fan clutch and working electric fan? Cheap insurance if your XJ is a working vehicle. Don't forget to actually clean the AC Condenser and radiator, over time they get a layer of road film which hurts airflow and heat exchange. None of those will really help with underhood temps though
If you are doing a lot of slow speed mail delivery, a larger fan clutch out of a ZJ Grand Cherokee would help increase airflow and bring engine bay temps down a touch. Adding some Napier hood vents would further reduce underhood temperature. Normally though, it should not be necessary. The majority of heat vents under the vehicle under normal circumstances
Have you kept up on the cooling system maintenance? Thoroughly flushed system and fresh coolant? New hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, water pump, radiator, etc? New fan clutch and working electric fan? Cheap insurance if your XJ is a working vehicle. Don't forget to actually clean the AC Condenser and radiator, over time they get a layer of road film which hurts airflow and heat exchange. None of those will really help with underhood temps though
Last edited by investinwaffles; 07-11-2018 at 05:59 PM.
07-11-2018, 06:15 PM
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It only seems to do it on the route. And yes there’s a lot of slow stop and go going on. My mechanic says it’s the hottest engine compartment he’s ever dealt with . It has a heavy steel brush guard underneath and I’m wondering if that traps heat and the stop and go situation . Cooling system is well-maintained and this only happens in the hottest of summer on the route .
07-11-2018, 07:26 PM
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Unfortunately, "Extreme Heat" is hard to compare, as it is subjective. Do you have a cheap IR thermometer around? Next time you think the engine compartment is extremely hot, shoot a measurement of the hood (with it closed), then open it and shoot a measurement of the valve cover and the thermostat housing and a the main coolant hose that runs near the battery. Then post those numbers here. Then someone like myself can compare them to my 96 that is having no heat problems, and we can see if there is a large difference, or anything to be concerned about.
In general, XJs have a very hot engine compartment. Your mechanic is right. They have a higher than average operating temperature as well. But we can find out if yours is even hotter than it should be. Though if your dash gauge shows normal temperature ranges, that is a good sign that things are probably ok.
In general, XJs have a very hot engine compartment. Your mechanic is right. They have a higher than average operating temperature as well. But we can find out if yours is even hotter than it should be. Though if your dash gauge shows normal temperature ranges, that is a good sign that things are probably ok.
07-11-2018, 09:02 PM
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Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Post a pic and we can tell you if it's stock.
07-12-2018, 09:30 PM
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Yes it is steel. I can’t post a pic because I had my mechanic take it off today and haven’t brought it home.I have had 3 1996 Jeep Cherokees this is the only one that came with this kind of guard. All systems are working smoothly until after a couple of hours of stop and go delivering. It is not throwing any codes.
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