indianajeepman

i have a 87 and i can only wheel for maybe like 30 min and it steams out of my cap would that be my cap is bad and what could i do to make the antifreeze go through the thremostat? and what could i do to make it cooler

claygrassmann

replace your t-stat flush your system and replace the cap and that should take care of it

BuckB91XJ

Agreed, R&R T-stat, thoroughly flush entire cooling system to include heater core and hoses. Unless you're talking about your "overflow tank cap". Your 87 XJ should not have a radiator cap. If it does great!! That means you or a PO upgraded it to the later open cooling system. If that is the case, R&R the radiator pressure cap, too.
Once you've made the repairs, fill the radiator with 50/50 AF/water solution or 1 Gallon pure AF and then top off with water later. With the radiator cap off (if you have one) start the motor, turn the heater on high. Check for leaks while letting the motor reach normal operating temperature. You'll know when it gets there because you will start to see coolant flowing past the radiator cap opening. Again, top off the radiator and let it run for 3-5 more minutes to let any and all trapped air out of the system. Again, top off the radiator and install the pressure cap. Now, fill your overflow tank to the hot fill line and you're done.

jpdocdave

do that, and also make sure the shrouds are all in place, i ripped a shroud off the bottom of my wrangler once, and without it on the engine would get too hot while wheeling. not the shroud around the fan, but obviously that one is most important. this was just a peice of rubber under the radiator.

indianajeepman

1 it is the spill over kind
2 they did not put a shroud on the big metal fan idk why that was how 87 was made but 88 they do idk
3 my buddy put a grand wagoneer electric fan on his and he said it never gets over 210 ever
4 where could i get a t sat that opens up earlier than the oe one like a special one that opens up faster so the coolant goes through at lower temp?
5 so the spill over cap is a pressuered cap?
6 thanks guys

BuckB91XJ

You can go to any parts store and get a 180 degree T-stat. The stock T-stat opens at 195 degrees. I have had a 180 in mine for a couple of years now and it works great. Also, 1987 XJs "DID" come stock with a complete fan shroud all the way around the mechanical fan and the aux. fan. My son's 87 has them both.

BuckB91XJ

If you don't have a shroud around your mechanical fan, you need to get one. It will greatly improve your Jeeps ability to cool itself. It will aslo keep you from cutting your fingers off when you reach for your hood prop rod.

jpdocdave

if the shroud is missing definately get it on. i'd do that before the t stat, unless you don't drive daily in the winter. i only say that cuz xj's especially older ones don't get great heat all the time anyway, and putting a cooler t stat in doesn't help the heat in the winter. if you don't drive or care about heat that much in the winter, do it.

newer xj's this is not a good idea cuz of emissions and the computer wants to see operating temperature it is programmed for.

indianajeepman

mine is a trailker rig bc one no rear bumper no title and the tail light is dangilg down hahaha so ya shround and t sat cool thinks

MPETE

could also be a bad fan clutch. since its a trail rig like you say, get a shroud and the cooler t-stat and if its still acting up I would replace the fan clutch or install an E-fan in the mech fan's place

OUTCAST

indianajeepman

it is the elec fan not the mechanic one but ya im goin to pull a part this weekend to get things

indianajeepman

did i mention that i hit a tree wheelin (not fast) and it bent my condensers fins up and the lines moved a little but none broke.
would the way they are now like, not straight they have a curve in them effect the cooling system

jpdocdave

ya, the flow could be restricted by the condenser fins being jacked. i doubt it works anyway, rip it out.

indianajeepman

what does it even do?