Sounds like you may have air trapped in the system. Try bleeding it and see what happens. Atleast it wont cost anything to try.

 

You do need to verify if that temp really is that high, wether it be with an aftermarket gauge or even with a laser temp gun . IF it is that high , I would suspect a bad headgasket or even a hairline crack in the head. I have had several of these in the shop with the conditions you describe and with the coolant like that of your photos.

 

With the coolant looking like it does in your pics, were the items above changed like 10 years ago? LOL

 

-_- you are the second person to say HG. I would RATHER it be that than a cracked head. We have a thermal camera at the FD, guess i can use that
That was what she had in her up until the weather got alittle nicer. I have the pics coming up in my build.

 

Dude- I was just reading your post when you popped in and posted on my perplexing cooling issues. I figured I'd repost it here- maybe it'll add fuel to the flames....

I'm in a bit of a stress here b/c my mechanic says one thing and I tend to disagree so i figured I'd ask ya'll 87-90 Jeep Cherokee owners what your experience is.

My cooling system is a bit different because it has an aluminum expansion tank that feeds into a plastic overflow reservoir. The expansion tank is always completely full and when the coolant needs somewhere to go when the engine heats up or cools down, it flows from the plastic reservoir to and from the expansion tank.

Temp gauge in the console keeps creeping up to the red zone. Mechanic claims the system is properly burped. Mechanic also says that it's a faulty gauge and that if the engine was overheating, the plastic reservoir would be flowing over. The coolant is flowing to and from the plastic reservoir like it should be but the damn temp gauge keeps saying its in or near the red- especially when driving up hills.

One last thing- I and the mechanic have taken laser temperature readings at both the thermostat housing and the expansion tank but the reading says 210 at the hottest.

My questions for ya'll is:

1) If the system weren't properly burped, would the coolant still be flowing to and from the plastic reservoir to the aluminum expansion tank?

2) Is it really possible that the temperature gauge has some gremlins in it?

3) Is there anything else I may be overlooking here?

 

Found this- I figured I'd share it:

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/..._Diagnosis.htm

 

I appreciate the site, good stuff in there.

Here is my newest developments:
Interstate driving it stays right about 210 or the next line, after coming off the interstate - she heads back up to almost the red zone.

then there has been something i've overlooked.... on entering the interstate and any get up and go situations.... you can smell the catalytic converter (love me some rotten eggs \puke\ )

btw, i have a new pic on profile from todays excursion

 

Well from what you just stated maybe you are having a couple of issues, at highway speeds you are getting alot of air flow through the rad and heating up at slower speeds. Maybe you rad fins are plugged up with bugs or your fans are not working properly. As far as the tranny if it is over heating it can cause your rad to heat up in turn heating thee engine up. have you checked the tranny fluid and level?

 

my issue is around the catalytic converter not so much the tranny, however I can say that the dog box in the interior get REALLY hot sometimes. In the winter I sometimes could run low heat because it was so hot.

 

You could have a plugged cat.

 

Like a stuffed kitty? LOL jkin

Im thinkin that is probably one issue

the temp gauge is trippy though.

this is more information i didn't think of, the ABS light is on 97% of the time. Every so often is will go out and even less often it will stay out for like a day.

lastly... my dang fluid alert sensor needs replaced or something... it is on and off almost like a *&%^ strobe lol then it stays off or stays on. ready to hard wire it.

Eh... anyway...I am very greatful for everyone reading (and replying) to this post. This Jeep is proving that a Jeep is a money pit but...im not complaining - I've joined the sickness

 

What 15 year old vehicle isn't a money pit to keep running????? LOL

 

well.... i have a 84 impala.... i wanna sell it... the only thing wrong with it is a pipe for the smog system - i just dont have the right tools to put it on.
Maybe a good paint job... but she purs like a kitten - runs like a lion.

Its all original and runs about as good as a new car IMHO