Rytchayrd

I have been chasing an overheating problem. The temrature was running about 240. When I got home I figured the water pump or thermostat. I took the water pump off and it seemed ok, no play or leaks. I did put a new t-stat, while I was doing this I noticed this brown stuff that felt like silly puddy. This stuff was all through my radiator I had another one which I installed, then I flushed the heater core. I drove it for about 4-5 miled and it did the same thing. I guess I should have flushed the system first, which I will do tomorrow, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas what is causing my problems. Thanks.

91familyxj

I would try flushing it all out first and get all that crap out of there and see what happens.

djb383

I would pull the rad, take it to a rad shop and have it rodded out. Flush the heater core and engine block as good as you can and change coolant more often. Any brown in the cooling system means coolant/antifreeze is way past it's prime and should have been flushed/changed a while back.

captainofiron

after you flush the system make 100% sure you got all the air out, and use a quality t-stat. Im speaking from experience, my jeep was sidelined for almost a month while I was trying to chase down an overheating problem

Rytchayrd

Thanks, I'll flush the system first thing tomorrow.

SHO_91

A while back I ran into the same thing, overheating issue, with a Chevy. Did a flush and got some gunky brown stuff coming out. The problem didn't go away, however, and it got so bad that one day one of the radiator plastic side tanks blew. The original owner told me he put some Bar-S radiator seal in it due to a small leak. I took the radiator to a shop and had it tested, they found out that the rad core was hopelessly plugged up. New rad fixed the issue. I'd strongly advise against any kind of radiator sealing agent. If it leaks, have if fixed properly.

Rytchayrd

I had to flush my system 4 times before I got all the crap out of the engine. Looks like years of neglect on my part, I've hade the Jeep for 6 years and it has 169,000 on it. I took it for a short drive and it held temp about 210. I am getting ready take it for a longer drive now, so thaks for your help.

mycherokee

Flushing the system is always a good annual thing to do.

McRay

might try check temp with manual gauge - some times the temp sensor starts to go bad and reads a little high. Before doing a lot of work.

Rytchayrd

I drove it today for about 20 minutes and the heater was running cool, but the temp was about 210. Then I went out for a short drive and the heater worked. Another short drive to run some errands and the temp went up to about 240, so I turned the heater on full and the temp came back down. As I got home I checked the radiator and the coolant had a light brown color, do I have blown gasket or do I need to keep flushing?

Rytchayrd

I am wondering if I got a faulty t-stat, because I drove it again and no problem?

PhilipF18

i would yes flush the entire system and check to see if a new radiator will help i know that mine kept overheating and my rad was full of all kinds of *****. putting a new one in made it all better.

Rytchayrd

Just an update, I have flushed my cooling system several times and that is definately my problem. It looks like I had a couple different problems at once. The t-stat was bad, I never did replace my coolant or flush the system, and some where along the line stop-leak was used. So after a new radiator, t-stat, and still flushing, it has not over heated since.

Rytchayrd

Oh and thanks for your suggestions and help, it is greatly appreciated.

SHO_91

My coolant looks disgustingly brown also, so on the weekend I will try to find the drain **** (prolly at the bottom of the rad) and have at it. To my excuse, I've only had this Jeep for about 2 months now, and I haven't had a problem with it, save for the repulsive look of that coolant. :O