Here's my dilemma. It's not too major, I'm somewhat familiar with heating issues...

Just recently I installed a new t-stat/housing. Since then the XJ is no longer running cold. T-stat was stuck open. Upon doing this I also flushed the rad and replaced with 50/50.

Upon doing some light trail riding (because my springs are shot), I was led to a decent incline on some loose gravel. I took it slow and steady, and my temps went up. They hit about 215 - 220 before I noticed, at this point I kicked on the efan. They went back down.

I confirmed temp after driving it around for about 15 minutes, then let it idle. 198*.

Just the other day, I was doodleing around town before stopping at Dunkin Donuts for a coffee. Looked down and it had climbed back up to 215* while sitting in drivethru. Kicked on the efan and it came right back down.

Here's my question...

Is my mechanical fan clutch failing?

It would seem I need to click my efan on to pick up some slack lately. Was curious as to if its the mechanical fan clutch going out, or possibly a bad drivebelt. Any thoughts?

 

Seems about normal to me depending on where you live. Ambient temps this time of year can make temps climb fast when sitting at idle.

 

It is most likely your fan clutch, I just replaced mine. I have an '88 but it was doing the same thing as yours. When your fan clutch goes you will notice your temperature start to creep up when you are sitting at idle at lights and stuff and when you are on the highway for long distances. Also makes sure there is no air in the system, this will cause the temperature to creep up when you are sitting. You have a '98 so your air burps out pretty easy, I don't think that's the issue.

 

I live in New Hampshire... Ambient temps this time of year; roughly 80* +/-.

 

On this suspicion I did call Advanced for the fan clutch.

I'm somewhat familiar with the staff, and got the guy on the phone who's an "XJ fan". He drives a lifted 97.

I asked him for the part, and he said the 98 weren't equipped with a mechanical fan clutch. Only the electric fan. I told him I have both. He said it must be aftermarket. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the 98 was produced with a mechanical fan clutch. Regardless, he gave me the price listing for a 97 fan clutch. Which I assume will function, correct?

 

All XJ's came with a mech fan. If ambient temps are only around 80 fan clutch would be suspect. Go with a 98 grand fan clutch, it's bigger and runs at 60% vs the 40% stock XJ clutch. It is a bit louder but helped drop my temps to 210 - 215 on 110+ degree days.

 

There's about a $20 price difference there...

Is there a specific trim for the Grand I should look for, or just keep it 4L i6?

 

Part Number: 922737 from autozone works great for me. never gets above 206.

 

non heavy duty

 

I don't buy at auto zone any more. Not just because the staff are dumb as nails but because the parts are junk.

 

Oil plugs and filters only here

 

NAPA #272310

 

He must not be a big fan because he has No Idea what he is talking about.
They ALL have a mechanical fans. Now if it had 2 elect fans that would be aftermarket.
If I were you and you have to get parts from there again ask to talk to someone else. Just because be drives a Jeep DOES NOT mean he knows what he is talking about. He must have bought his Jeep already put together and never worked on it himself.

 

Nice.

Thank you.

 

Quick question, I'm wiring up arb bumper lights (park lights) to my 2000 xj sport. I want to splice in to the factory park lights. Can somebody let me know what wires I need to splice?