Timing Chain w/o radiator removal ?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Milford DE
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Changing Timing Chain w/o radiator removal ?
Anybody ever change a timing chain without removing the radiator like the Haynes manual states. It looks possible. 1998 4.0 Cherokee.
Last edited by Photontraveler; Dec 26, 2016 at 09:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Milford DE
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 319
Likes: 3
From: Key Peninsula, WA
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You'll need to pull the vibration damper off the end the crankshaft to remove the timing cover. There is not enough room to get the puller tool on the damper with the radiator still in place.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
take pics of your progress though so we can see how you did it if you do get it!
Last edited by Martlor13; Dec 26, 2016 at 10:46 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 918
Likes: 6
From: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Depending on puller it may be possible, but if you slip you'll risk punching a hole in your brand new radiator and have to replace it again. It will save allot of frustration just to pull the rad, the $15 you'll save in coolant (assuming you don't puncture the rad) isn't worth the frustration of trying to work with limited clearance.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Depending on puller it may be possible, but if you slip you'll risk punching a hole in your brand new radiator and have to replace it again. It will save allot of frustration just to pull the rad, the $15 you'll save in coolant (assuming you don't puncture the rad) isn't worth the frustration of trying to work with limited clearance.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I might just pull the rad for a timing chain. Besides the trans cooler lines it's hella easy, and will give better access and less of a chance for something going wrong. (which they all too often do).
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I replaced the timing set on my '92 a few months ago with no draining or removal of the radiator.... There was PLENTY of room once the shroud and both fans were removed. It was probably a project that can be done in the Autozone parking lot actually.
