I have been chasing this for a couple of months now, and I just recently fixed my overheating issue!!! I could drive 150-200 miles at freeway speeds before the idiot light would come on, but once it did, I had to blast the heater to get it to cool.

Here's what I did:
New 195* thermometer - still overheat
New temp sending unit - still overheat
New fan clutch - still overheat
flush radiator - still overheat
new rad cap - still overheat
new 195* thermostat again - still overheat
new Bosch waterpump/new radiator hoses- still overheat
flush and burp radiator - still overheat
pressure test cooling system - holds pressure, no leak down, engine compression is perfect - still overheat
used infrared thermometer to check temps throughout radiator - temps cooler at cold side, warmer at hot side, no pockets of iregular temp - still overheat
Bought Scan Gauge to monitor actual temps, 225* after 10-15 miles, 240-255* after 35-40 miles.
I finally bit the bullet, and bought a 3 row all metal radiator, put it in yesterday, and ***poof***, after driving over 150 miles today both in city, and on highway, ambient temp over 100*, I never got above 205*!!!

Thanks for all of the good advice, tips, and shoulders to cry on!!!! To everyone else still chasing their overheating issue - God Speed!!!
Ambient temperature over 100*,

 

my hub flushed my jeep this evening and put in a new thermostat. I'll monitor it for a few days but if it overheats I'll definitely consider the new radiator! Thanks!

 

What one did you put in and did you get it online? I'm looking to replace one in a 96 and not spend a ton of cash.

 

I ordered the one from Radiator Barn, but they were four days out on shipping. I called around and found one in San Diego at 1-800-Radiator, and was able to pick it up from the wharehouse while out there for the holiday. It was $180, but it was a drop-in replacement, it took barely an hour to do the whole job. I would recommend picking up an A/C-fuel line quick disconnect tool from Auto Zone for a couple of bucks - it makes removing the oil cooler lines a breeze!

 

Does anyone know if the radiotor for an xj with an ax15 transmission has the transmission oil cooler lines? or is that just an automatic thing? I feel dumb for asking, but hey what the heck.

 

sweet over heating suck im glad mine runs like 195* all the time and all i had to do is put a 180* thermostat

 

Only radiators for auto transmissions will have the trans cooler lines.

 

So if I wanted to order a new rad from radiator barn, do i have to order one specifically for a manual trans?

 

No, I think it is just standard so those with the AW4 will have the lines when needed. If you have a manual my guess is you would just plug the inlets. Hey, if you dont wanna plug em, maybe you could route an oil cooler?

 

I looked on the radiatorbarn website and it said theyre for use as tranny fluid coolers or oil coolers and are only used if needed. You dont need to cap them off or anything.

 

yup, you can leave them open of you want. they do not connect to anything that will leak coolant. they have their own lines to cool the tranny or oil

 

X2- Same here with the 180 for summer and 195 for winter. Runs just under 210 all the time...Tj

 

well mine has a leak in the radiator. I drove it yesterday and since the water leaked out it over heated big time. My husband is buying a new radiator today at Auto Zone and will put it in for me this evening. I hope this fixes it!

 

Since the new rad was the fix I'm guessing the old one was clogged with deposits, limiting flow.