water/antifreeze boiling???
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
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From: GA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok so i just got home from working on the jeep, let me catch you guys up where im at, i noticed i had a leak like right behind the warerpump of antifreeze so i put a new waterpump on it hoping it was it and drove it day or two and notice still leaking there.
So today i spent all day changing the headgasket, intake gasket, new thermostat and gasket, with new fluids (oil/antifreeze) new spark plugs. So i just got done with it like a hour ago and i drove home about 20 miles from my dads. I get home to check it out and sure enough when i got home water/antifreeze was boiling/blowing back into my reserve. even leaking some out onto ground. the spot i notice leaking first time looks dry( but hell should be has brand new head gasket on it)
I need to know what to do next i dont want to drive it with it getting that hot i dont want to blow out another head gasket.. it seems to run great after first few mins starting it up for about 15 mins or so then started acting like was sluggish alittle sometimes.
So today i spent all day changing the headgasket, intake gasket, new thermostat and gasket, with new fluids (oil/antifreeze) new spark plugs. So i just got done with it like a hour ago and i drove home about 20 miles from my dads. I get home to check it out and sure enough when i got home water/antifreeze was boiling/blowing back into my reserve. even leaking some out onto ground. the spot i notice leaking first time looks dry( but hell should be has brand new head gasket on it)
I need to know what to do next i dont want to drive it with it getting that hot i dont want to blow out another head gasket.. it seems to run great after first few mins starting it up for about 15 mins or so then started acting like was sluggish alittle sometimes.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
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From: GA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I havent replaced any of those things, the electric fan is kicking on when it should around 218 to 220 whatever it is set at. my radiator cap looks pretty ****ty but i havent replaced it. and radiator what would cause radiator to cause that?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
radiator cap looks pretty ****ty most likely cant hold pressure that would explain bubbleing in over flow bottle
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
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From: GA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 522
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From: Las Vegas
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.oL H.O. 784 injectors, EV6 to EV1 connectors, APN header, Dynomax exhaust
Did you fill the system to the top while to car was cold or warm?
If you have too much coolant in the system it will push it back into the puke can. Which is where the excess is SUPPOSE to accumulate.
If you have too much coolant in the system it will push it back into the puke can. Which is where the excess is SUPPOSE to accumulate.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: GA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
was cold i think but it was bubbling when i got home inside the puke can lol
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A radiator pressure cap is designed to maintain pressure in the cooling system at a certain maximum pressure.
If the cap should fail, the engine can easily overheat. The radiator cap is often overlooked when troubleshooting. A pressure test of the radiator cap is a quick way to tell if the cap is doing its job. It should be able to hold its rated pressure for two minutes.
Since radiator caps are quite inexpensive, ($5.00??) I would recommend replacing it every 3 years or 36,000 miles, just for added insurance. Make absolutely sure that you replace it with one that is designed for your vehicle.
16 pound is the correct application for the 4.0 Get one WITHOUT a release lever as it isn't needed, and is just one more point where the cap can fail in the future.
And if that doesn't resolve your problem, consider getting a new radiator in there; (and fan clutch while you're at it) that is about all that is left.....
If the cap should fail, the engine can easily overheat. The radiator cap is often overlooked when troubleshooting. A pressure test of the radiator cap is a quick way to tell if the cap is doing its job. It should be able to hold its rated pressure for two minutes.
Since radiator caps are quite inexpensive, ($5.00??) I would recommend replacing it every 3 years or 36,000 miles, just for added insurance. Make absolutely sure that you replace it with one that is designed for your vehicle.
16 pound is the correct application for the 4.0 Get one WITHOUT a release lever as it isn't needed, and is just one more point where the cap can fail in the future.
And if that doesn't resolve your problem, consider getting a new radiator in there; (and fan clutch while you're at it) that is about all that is left.....
Last edited by tjwalker; May 8, 2011 at 06:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 74
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From: GA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well now its not driveable, leaking same area it was put new rad cap on it and turned it on smokes like crazy, and leaking out of rad cap also. Guess it needs a new head, probably try to sell it now.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
ive heard of one certain bolt being two long for a water pump bolt hole being tightened down and cracking thru the cyl wall in cyl numger one causing compression to be exhausted into cooling sysyem
Last edited by freegdr; May 8, 2011 at 01:39 PM.


