ohioxj98

Hey guys, i've got an interesting dilemma i'd like to see if anybody can help me solve. 93 cherokee sport, 200k miles on it. Had it about a month, and noticed that when sitting at idle the temp would creep up to 220ish, not good. Figured it was a thermostat, and put in a 180 just to be safe. After that, the temp still creeped, just took longer. Went to inspect the radiator, and found it its a CSF metal unit put in 2005 era, so ruled that out. Water pump was next, so snagged a high flow unit from summit racing with my summit bucks, and threw in some water wetter I had around for the hell of it. Took it wheeling tonight, and it was around 210-215 again at idle. What the heck lol. Lower hose is not collapsing, and the system is full of 50/50 mix.

Should I look at the CSF radiator again? It had some rust/corrosion on it, but wasnt terrible. Im stumped, this one is really bugging me. I just want my cherokee at 180 all the time like my 1998 was.

SeriousOffroad

180 is to low. The correct t-stat is 195. 4.0L engines should always be run with the correct t-stat installed.
Spec's from the 93 FSM:

fantic238

Is your electric fan coming on?

warthog

do you have your a/c on when the temp increases? Check your efan when the jeep starts for the day and after you have been riding around for 30 minutes or so. it is a one speed fan.

93XJRay

frankz is right you shouldnt have a 180 in there its probably no good for it. jeeps love to run hot. mine runs just about 200, 210 or so when wheeling in the summer. i hear hood vents help alot. i would try a few things these guys suggested and see where that leads you. ive heard of some guys hooking up another e fan as well to help with the hot temps during wheeling and things.

ColoradoJeepXJ

I just went through this as well. My guess would be the fan cluch and/or the radiator.

Firestorm500

Put the factory type T-stat in.

Gas mileage and power suffer when these engines run too cold. Emissions also increase.

I wouldn't worry about the temp overmuch unless it starts blowing coolant out of the overflow regularly. That will be over 240 degrees.

Judging by all the temp posts on this forum, I think most everyone gets overconcerned watching the temp gauge and what it says.

UserID6095

Check your fan clutch. Mine would creep up at low speed/idle, put a new fan clutch on her and she runs under 210* all day long.

offroadnut36

That's my guess too. If you have a high flow water pump and 180 deg. thermostat plus a newer CSF rad. it should be running normal temps if not lower than normal. Unless you fan clutch is bad, if so, at idle it wouldn't be pulling enough air through the radiator. Which is most likely your problem.

XJSETH

180deg tsat is not normal for your engine. it should run between 200-218 normal like posted above! changing the tstat temp actually causes more problems long term. i put in a 180 last summer. that lasted about 2 days, and it got hotter so i put in a 195deg stant tstat and it runs a lot better. i dont agree with the fan clutch but ok.

offroadnut36

Where did I say it should run at 180? Did I say it was okay to run a 180 deg. thermostat? No, I said that's what he was running.

XJSETH

i did not say you said that! i meant to fix my post my bad! i also know what he is running thanks.

ohioxj98

hey guys. Im actually a fan of the 180 stats, had good luck with them. Fan clutch is new, and its a ZJ heavy duty unit

CorysXJ

Honestly...just keep it simple. Xj's do not want nor like anything fancy. But seriously....start small. I was having a very similar problem that you are having. I bought a new 195 degree t stat and a new 16 lbs rad cap and some fresh coolant and added some water wetter, and everything is fine now, stays right below 210 the whole drive home...even sitting at a light...it maybe goes up a har but then right back down to where it was as soon as I hit the gas.

XJSETH

thats great but its still too low for the 4.0! whats your actual temp with 180 degree stat?

this guy has his head on straight! nice work!