How does the coolant flow?
87 Cherokee 4.0 (rinex)
I am trying to wrap my head around the flow direction of the coolant. Does anyone have a clue? how about a diagram? Here is what I think now:
1. The pump PULLS from the bottom radiator hose, pushing the coolant through the engine block and head.
2. Coolant flows through the thermostate (towards the radiator) through the top hose.
I have no idea what is going on at the heater.
Am I backwards on this?
I am trying to wrap my head around the flow direction of the coolant. Does anyone have a clue? how about a diagram? Here is what I think now:
1. The pump PULLS from the bottom radiator hose, pushing the coolant through the engine block and head.
2. Coolant flows through the thermostate (towards the radiator) through the top hose.
I have no idea what is going on at the heater.
Am I backwards on this?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: St. George Utah
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Rebuilt Renix "Low Output" haha
Coolant enters the engine at the water pump, where it gets pumped through the engine block and up through the head where the Thermostat is located, It then goes through the Thermostat and into the radiator where its cooled and goes right back into the water pump. Ok, thats the Basic.... at the thermostat housing there is a hole where water is constantly being pushed through, that water is fed through a hose and into the heater core with the heater on, or into the coolant reservoir with the heater off... from the heater core (heater on) it goes back into the water pump so the water can be recirculated throughout the engine. With the heater off the water just exits the coolant bottle and goes back to the water pump through the same hose. The Renix style cooling system is over complicated i think, but basically thats how it goes.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
87 Cherokee 4.0 (rinex)
I am trying to wrap my head around the flow direction of the coolant. Does anyone have a clue? how about a diagram? Here is what I think now:
1. The pump PULLS from the bottom radiator hose, pushing the coolant through the engine block and head.
2. Coolant flows through the thermostate (towards the radiator) through the top hose.
I have no idea what is going on at the heater.
Am I backwards on this?
I am trying to wrap my head around the flow direction of the coolant. Does anyone have a clue? how about a diagram? Here is what I think now:
1. The pump PULLS from the bottom radiator hose, pushing the coolant through the engine block and head.
2. Coolant flows through the thermostate (towards the radiator) through the top hose.
I have no idea what is going on at the heater.
Am I backwards on this?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmsummers2012
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
56
Jun 12, 2025 02:04 AM
bradleyheathhays
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
Oct 21, 2024 09:27 AM
sluger17
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
Jul 8, 2023 07:08 AM
shelby5041
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
8
Jul 20, 2016 04:38 PM
ToxicFox
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
2
Sep 27, 2015 06:56 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)








