Pulling off high way my Check gauge light comes on and temp jumps to 250. Pull over and open hood. See fluid dripping but hose looks ok. Cooled for 5 min and when I fired back up with no ac she is back to running at 210-220. Think I will do t stat and water pump to be safe , but is there another issue I should check if related directly to AC use ? Thanks

 

From the looks of it. It looks like it's coming out of the rad cap. I would also change it out. OEM is a 16 lb. Also while you are changing out the t-stat and water pump give it a really good flushing. The only reason the ac would cause you to over heat is the extra stress on the cooling system. Meaning that there is something wrong with the cooling system. When you flush the cooling system make sure to flush the radiator and the heater core separately from the engine block. And replace the coolant with a 50/50 mix.

 

Electric fan prob isnt turning on with ac. Check that first. Odd it was over heating on the highway though.

 

You are right he should check that out too. Why didn't I think to say that???? Good catch!

 

U did....u just said it differently. LOL

 

Overheating an 00-01 XJ can have some unexpected and very expensive consequences. Keep a close eye on your coolant color and level after you take care of your immediate issues. In the meantime read up on 0331 cylinder head cracking syndrome.

 

Not fun, and also my electric fan is hotwired to come on soon as key is turned. So I know that works.

 

Like someone else said, could just be a faulty radiator cap.

Also, check the fan clutch on the mech fan.

Your radiator or condenser isn't covered in mud is it?

 

This was a thought, and it did have some mud on it, but I pressured washed it at lunch yesterday before the overheating. The fluid makes me think cap to. So I am doing tstat, water pump and rad cap to start since all are relatively cheap.
Mud is the Devil, lures you in , then screws you over!

 

 

also when your at it. pressure test your radiator, if it leaks replace it while you have everything apart