Overheating Problem
#1
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Overheating Problem
98 XJ
4.0/AW4
Bought the Jeep August 2012. First thing I did was flush the radiator, new antifreeze, and thermostat.
Ran perfect.
Overheated April 26. The endcaps sprung a leak on the radiator. Took it out.
Bought a junkyard one November 2nd that looked to be no more than a year or 2 old.
Put it in last week. Didnt run it much since it was about out of gas.
Saw today it had a small pinhole leak directly infront of the fan spraying a small stream.
Put some Bars Leak Heavy Duty in it. Wasnt leaking. Was running good.
I was happy.
Let it get up to running temp, and then I sat in it for a few more to make sure it wouldnt overheat.
Guess what? After a few minutes of being a tad bit over 210, it shot up to 250 and I immediately shut it off.
Any ideas what it could be?
4.0/AW4
Bought the Jeep August 2012. First thing I did was flush the radiator, new antifreeze, and thermostat.
Ran perfect.
Overheated April 26. The endcaps sprung a leak on the radiator. Took it out.
Bought a junkyard one November 2nd that looked to be no more than a year or 2 old.
Put it in last week. Didnt run it much since it was about out of gas.
Saw today it had a small pinhole leak directly infront of the fan spraying a small stream.
Put some Bars Leak Heavy Duty in it. Wasnt leaking. Was running good.
I was happy.
Let it get up to running temp, and then I sat in it for a few more to make sure it wouldnt overheat.
Guess what? After a few minutes of being a tad bit over 210, it shot up to 250 and I immediately shut it off.
Any ideas what it could be?
#2
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The passenger side end tank of the radiator and upper radiator hose was hot, but the drivers side end take and lower radiator hose were cold.
#4
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ouch.
If temp shoots up suddenly, I think there's a good chance there is an air pocket somewhere.
If temp shoots up suddenly, I think there's a good chance there is an air pocket somewhere.
#5
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How exactly would I get the air pocket out?
#6
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Let it idle with the rad cap off, keep the rad full, it should burp when the stat opens. Make sure rad is full before installing a new rad cap. Check coolant level in rad and bottle next several days, motor COLD.
#7
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Don't sweat the Bars Leaks. You will get a variety of opinions, but it is proven good stuff. Burp it, watch it, run it. And yes, replace the cap.
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#10
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Not immediately. You can watch your coolant reservoir bottle once engine is at operating temp. Continuous air bubbling up in there would suggest a continuous air 'leak' into the system, such as can be seen in blown headgasket.
In all honesty, a new to you Jeep with overheating issues is worth overhauling. Especially with you guys in the US, for around $250 you can almost completely renew all cooling components if you want (I know you stated cant do the $$$ atm), something that would cost several hundred $$ here. Investing in coolant system maintenance is probably one of the best things you can do for your Jeep to keep it going for a long time.
In all honesty, a new to you Jeep with overheating issues is worth overhauling. Especially with you guys in the US, for around $250 you can almost completely renew all cooling components if you want (I know you stated cant do the $$$ atm), something that would cost several hundred $$ here. Investing in coolant system maintenance is probably one of the best things you can do for your Jeep to keep it going for a long time.
Last edited by Roler; 11-15-2013 at 12:21 PM.
#11
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'll be the second to say "ouch" on the stop leak. It could cause you more problems down the road. My jeep was crudded with stop-leak so bad I had to replace the entire system and even rusted out freeze plugs on the side of the engine. So, because of my experience, I'm extremely against stop-leak!
But, it sounds like your thermostat isn't opening. Might be worth a check.
But, it sounds like your thermostat isn't opening. Might be worth a check.
#12
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Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Dont let it get hot too many times those heads tend to crack easily under temps like that. Stop leak is understandable when on a tight bugdet, but in the long run you will wish you never done it,
#13
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Lower radiator is normally cooler than upper (if your radiator is doing what it should). If it feels cool as you (the OP) stated, the radiator might actually have a good blockage.
#15
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I did a compression test today. Probably doesnt have anything to do with the overheating but its reading really bad.
60
100
45
100
145
155
So yall think I have a blockage in the radiator causing me problems? I completely flushed it out before I installed it.
60
100
45
100
145
155
So yall think I have a blockage in the radiator causing me problems? I completely flushed it out before I installed it.