Neither radiator hose warm after an hour
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 28
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Model: Cherokee(SJ)
Neither radiator hose warm after an hour
so I drove around for an hour today yes it’s like 20 degrees but when I got home and popped the hood neither the upper or lower radiator hose was that hot I was able to grab both and they were just kinda warm. The temp gauge never gets to 210 highest it gets is two ticks before 210. The heater hoses going to the core aren’t that hot either
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 337
Likes: 33
From: Latonia,Kentucky
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 fresh rebuild
Thermostat is stuck in the open position, It isn't stopping the flow so the coolant doesn't have time to heat up. EDIT: While your at it check your radiator cap just to be safe.
Last edited by papablista; Jan 30, 2019 at 04:58 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
Was it a Mopar t-stat? If not, it's very possible that it was bad out of the box. Did your low heat issue start within the last couple of months?
A Mopar t-stat is pretty inexpensive, and works awesome, so I'd pull the one that's in there and replace it. It's also possible that the t-stat was installed incorrectly or some old gasket or other crud is caught in it and not allowing it to close.
A Mopar t-stat is pretty inexpensive, and works awesome, so I'd pull the one that's in there and replace it. It's also possible that the t-stat was installed incorrectly or some old gasket or other crud is caught in it and not allowing it to close.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 166
From: Hunt County Texas
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
That doesn't mean anything they are known to be crap out of the box. Many have taken to testing them in a pot of hot water prior to installing to verify correct function. For what it's worth I just bought the highly recommended OEM radiator cap and it was bad straight out of the box as well. Wouldn't hold pressure at all. Replaced with a cheap NAPA cap and that works fine. Go figure.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 337
Likes: 33
From: Latonia,Kentucky
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 fresh rebuild
Check this link, t-stats gaskets caps on closeout sale.
http://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehiclef...l=en&html=true
http://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehiclef...l=en&html=true
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee(SJ)
Here this afternoon I started the Jeep turned the heat on let it sit for one hour got in had heat great temp needle on the mark right before 210. Drove two miles down the road and the needle had already dropped two marks below 210 the heat is ok but still not great
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,700
Likes: 238
From: Groton, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
So did you do anything with the t-stat?
Your symptoms scream "t-stat stuck open".. I'll bet it took a looooong time to get up to temp. Then the mechanical fan keeps the temp right when it's idling (basically by NOT turning on), but as soon as air starts flowing over the radiator the t-stat can't close to limit the flow so you lose too much heat, gauge value drops, cabin heat runs like crap, etc.
Seriously, the t-stat is easy enough and cheap enough to change out. Improper heating is always bad for the engine and it doesn't take much to make it fatally dangerous to the engine. Put a new Mopar t-stat in and let us know that it's fixed.
Your symptoms scream "t-stat stuck open".. I'll bet it took a looooong time to get up to temp. Then the mechanical fan keeps the temp right when it's idling (basically by NOT turning on), but as soon as air starts flowing over the radiator the t-stat can't close to limit the flow so you lose too much heat, gauge value drops, cabin heat runs like crap, etc.
Seriously, the t-stat is easy enough and cheap enough to change out. Improper heating is always bad for the engine and it doesn't take much to make it fatally dangerous to the engine. Put a new Mopar t-stat in and let us know that it's fixed.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
IDK but in 20* or less I'm not sure how much cooling through the rad it needs with light duty.
Edit: Just saw that you mentioned the heater hoses......so it isn't exactly blasting! If heat has been good before then yes, agreed a quality thermostat might be in order. You can always test yours by dropping it in a pot of boiling water BTW.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Jan 31, 2019 at 08:56 PM. Reason: was
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