So I have came to the conclusion my jeep has a bi polar heating system, for the past couple ekes my jeep has been running at weird temperatures and over heats while I'm stopped for a couple minutes, usually it's starts fine runs at about 210 most of the times but recently when I'm stopped or just driving it will run the notch over 210 (230 I'm guessing) then my check gauge light will come on. I always pull over and make sure nothing is seriously wrong, I'll start it right back up drive about 200 yards and it will go right back to 210. It does this about once or twice a week but runs pretty warm at all times, I've replace the thermostat and water pump to see if that would do anything, it did for a little bit then it started acting up again, I've flushed it twice and I add wet wet (sp) into my over flow to keep it running low, I don't know if it's just the humid weather or what but. I need some help trying to figure this nerve racking problem! Please help me get this stress off my chest lol

 

Have you checked your fan clutch?

 

My electric or main fan

 

Fan clutch is part of the belt driven fan. The radiator is the only component who's sole purpose is to dissipate heat. Might be time for the remainder of the cooling system getting some TLC/maintenance/replacement.

 

The basic test for the radiator blade fan clutch is to allow the Jeep to sit over night so it's cool.

With the key out of the ignition, try to spin the fan by hand. The fan should free wheel no more than 5 blades. If it spins more than 5 blades, the clutch is bad.

There have been cases where the blades free wheel less than 5 blades and the clutch is actually bad.

When in doubt, replace the fan clutch.

 

I had some weird cooling issues.. I replaced everything (water pump, belt, both sending units, thermostat housing, thermosat, hoses, fan clutch, radiator, cap, overflow bottle, clamps lol).. cooling issues solved... it was actually pretty cheap and I decided to do this because the cooling systems are such a PITA for a lot of people.

 

Jack, what happened to the hand man? Hopefully not testing the fan clutch with engine running... Sorry just couldn't resist.

 

Cruiser54 added that avatar for me. Not my hand LOL

I tend to lose a lot of skin when im wrenching, always a blood knuckle or two... it fits me :-)

 

I was thinking about buying a champion radiator with dual fans what are people thoughts on that? How much did it cost you jack ?

 

i would definitely change the fan clutch first, you have all the symptoms. i was chasing around an overheating problem a while back where i was starting to heat up even going over 40 mph, sitting idle only made it worse. 30 bucks on a new fan clutch and shes been good ever since!

 

Fan clutch main suspect . B4 throwing hundreds of dollars at it .

 

I'd stick with this last line.
Forget all the tests out there on the net. Or the ridiculously extended test method involving drilling holes and taking temps, for such a simple part as the $35 fan clutch.

My fan clutch held up fine with ALL the tests, but was still under par. How did I find out? By replacing it and seeing my temps end up on the good side of the line.

So yes, when in doubt, just take the guessing out of it and replace it.

 

Do your home work regarding aftermarket rads and especially efan mods/conversions. Compare total core thickness, fins per inch and number of tubes vertically between OE style rad and aftermarket rad. Compare efan CFM between the OE 2300 CFM rating and aftermarket CFM rating. The OE belt driven fan will pull way more CFM at just above idle speed compared to the OE efan. The last thing u want is less capacity than OE stock. The OE rad fan set-up is not the weak link, it's the dinky radiator. All components in the XJ cooling system MUST be in 100% top notch condition to tame summer time 3 digit ambient while running a/c in slow moving traffic/trails........there's no "overkill/over engineering" in the XJ's cooling system design.