You're getting an OEM radiator and water pump from Advance Auto?

 

yes?

 

I think the OP may be talking about getting a OE "style" rad (and pump). The OE "style" rad we got at AutoZone 2 years ago is identical in every way to the Chrysler OE stock rad we removed......it cools fine and cost much less than a rad from the local dealership. Plus, it has a lifetime warranty vs a 90 day warranty on the rad from the dealership.

On a side note......sticking anything in a spinning fan (post #15) is not safe, not advisable, not the test method discussed in the FSM and certainly won't tell u if the fan clutch is performing 100%. A new fan clutch will most likely perform at 100%. It will take less time to remove the old fan clutch and install a new one than it will to do the test procedure in the FSM.

 

IIRC you should be able to spin the fan easily with your fingers when it is cold and the engine OFF. Then after a drive up to operating temperature and the engine OFF it should be more difficult to spin. If it spins the same, probably a bad fan clutch.

 

Ok, i am about to replace my cooling system and wanna flush everything while im at it but how exactly do you flush the heater core by itself? My jeep most likey needs it as it doesnt blow warm/hot air until i drive it for 15 mins or so.. Idling in the drive way doesnt do the job.. The temp doesnt move around making me think its not a thermostat but itll be replaced when i do the system change..

 

That's what I thought... I would, however, not replace the water pump with anything other then an OEM one. There are places like WeRMopar.com that you can purchase for reasonable prices.

 

to flush your heater core alone just disconect the hoses and hook a water hose to one end and another hose to the other to direct the coolant/water where ever you want it to go lol

 

I have never replaced anything with "OEM"/DEALER parts and never had a problem.

 

Our XJ is a daily driver so on certain parts (like cooling system components), I'm not willing to wait on mail order down time if/when a warranty issue arises. I want to be able to exchange the bad part (under warranty) for a new one and be back on the road same day. Thanks for the link though, do appreciate it.....may come in handy for a specialty part. To be honest with u, I can't remember which one of the chain auto parts stores we bought a new water pump from but it was something like $35-$40, iirc. We found the entire XJ cooling system can be replaced for <$250, including a new rad.

 

Now with that statement, u r going to get Mr. Flintstone all riled up. Read my sig.

 

lol i meant like in a bucket, jug, pan, etc

 

Gotcha. Good luck on the wrench turnin'.

 

Seem easy enough but ive always heard that you do not want to use tap water in the cooling system because of the minerals and it builds up in your system.. Ive been told to use distilled water whenever putting water alone into the system..

 

Flush the system with a garden hose (tap water) then you've got to use antifreeze/coolant along with water, usually 50/50 mix/ratio, when u re-fill it. Rust/corrosion will form even using straight distilled water. What ever water u use, u must add/mix corrosion protection when the system is re-filled.

 

Yeah, ill use pre mixed when i fill it back up.. Im just talking bout flushing.. Ive always just dropped the lower hose and drained and dumped a couple gallons of distilled through the radiator to clean anything left behind out of the radiator.. Ive never done anything with the heater core in any of my previous xjs which prompted me to ask about flushing the heater core since my heat isnt the greatest..