KJamesJR

Weird cooling issue occurred. Jeep was running fine... I wouldn't say it was too hot. Around 213... Pulled into the driveway and it started puking coolant. I don't think it lost a lot of it.

So I'm thinking a few things...

Temp sender is bad, and it's actually running too hot.

Radiator cap is bad.

Otherwise, I'm not sure what would cause a cool engine to puke antifreeze from the overflow tank.

It's a 98 XJ.

ZINGGG

First things first, pull out or rent out an infrared temp. gun and make sure the gauge is reading correctly.

Second, puking out from where?

RTorrez1

I would start by changing out the rad cap. Also verify the temp with a temp gun.

KJamesJR

Overflow cap.

djb383

^^^^^^^X2 on what these dudes said.

KJamesJR

My Jeep has always run on the cool side... I can somewhat verify this by getting it up to temp, usually around 190, then placing may hand just over the engine. It's really never been that hot.

I'm going to replace the temp sender, t-stat, and rad cap. I haven't done any maintenance on the cooling system since owning the XJ. The coolant is still bright green, so I'll save that and just add a little more.

I've called around for temp guns in the past. AZ, Advanced, and the Napa in my area do not have one to rent out. I figure it's just as easy to replace the temp sender.

I'm also getting some hard shifts when in park... Normally cycling through reverse, neutral and drive. So I'll also do new fluids in the t-case, tranny, front and rear diffs.

RTorrez1

WOW! You have a temp gauge built in you hand...
You can't even come close to verifying the temp by holding you hand over the engine. Not Possible!

djb383

Harbor Freight has a decent IR temp gun for cheap......it and my Raytek IR are always within a couple of degrees of each other. Handy as a pocket on a shirt for all kinds of temp readings. The wacko factory gauge really needs to be verified with another temp source.

RTorrez1

What's the wrong with you? Can't you put your hand over something and verify it like that? LOL

KJamesJR

I know that I can't come close... But it's all I have considering I can't get a hold of a temp gun in my area.

I guess the next best thing would be holding an instant read thermometer on the engine block. I have several of those in the kitchen? 210 is fairly hot... I grill at 210. I can literally hold my hand just over the block indefinitely. It's hot to the touch, but doesn't radiate over the surface like 210 would.

KJamesJR

Would this be around what you're describing?

http://www.harborfreight.com/infrare...ter-93984.html

djb383

I would never put my hand over the XJ motor......some hot dogs on a stick maybe, but not my hand.LOL

djb383

Something like that......we have the handheld "gun" model.

KJamesJR

By the time it ships to my location, I'll probably have the work done...

And yes... I've had my fair share of seared fingers. Not on engine blocks, rather hot grills.

And the occasional exhaust pipe on the forearm.