Just got a free 1995 Cherokee, super exited and glad to be on the forum! Anyway, owners had overheating problems, had leaky radiator and the vehicle has been overheated probably more than once. I just got the rig a couple days ago. Installed new radiator. +thermostat + Housing + seal + Fluid + Head Gasket Repair just in case + Water pump + Spark plugs + oil change + air filter + heater hoses. T

The Jeep is still running at about 245.

I have read so many threads on overheating and I'm still stumped. If it was you where would you start? Thanks in advance.

 

What does this entail exactly?

Have you checked the resistance of the sending unit or used an infrared temp gun on the thermostat housing to verify?

 

Sorry, Head gasket repair as in the stuff that comes in the bottle you pour into radiator

 

Have not tested actual temp. the gauge seems to be working properly and i could cook bacon on the valve cover

 

I would imagine that stuff is junk that you poured into your new radiator, I'd flush and refill with a good 50/50 mixture as engine is warming up to get all air out(i do this a couple of times to make sure after new install). If you can, get a cheap infrared thermometer from harbor freight and shoot it at the therm housing. Verify gauge isn't being dumb.

 

Mechanical fan loose or tight when spun by hand when engines at operating temp.

 

Is the plastic fan shroud still there? Auxiliary fan kicking on around 215°?

 

Plastic fan shroud over mechanical fan is not there.

Auxiliary fan only turns on when i turn the heat on

 

Yes, you need a shroud.

No, should turn on with AC, not heat.


So, with Efan on, does it cool down?


Whatever the garbage in a bottle................flush it out.

 

I would start with fan clutch, fan shroud and dump the head gasket crap out and flush the system. Then the auxiliary fan should be coming on so figure out what is wrong with that.

 

does not cool down when fan is on. Where can I get a fan shroud? i guess i can hook the fan up to run 24/7 and see what the results are.

 

At idle, the shroud forces the fan to pull air through the rad, otherwise the fan will pull air from around itself and NOT the rad.

It runs at 245 at idle?

If you were to run down the highway at a steady 55mph, does it run cooler?
If not, I'd look for another solution.
May be the sender is bad.


Shroud? junk yard or Ebay.

 

http://www.morris4x4center.com/jeep-...herokee-xj.htm

 

I was about to ask this same question. Has it been taken out of the driveway, or have you just run it in the driveway, watched the temp jump up and shut it off?

If it overheats in the driveway but NOT when driving down the road, it's very likely it's a bad fan clutch. $40 and 8 bolts. Don't bother trying to do the spin tests on it, because those tests are not reliable. The fan clutch is probably the most overlooked component in the cooling system.

If it overheats in the driveway AND when driving down the road, you have some other issue.

You need a fan shroud either way. You can find one at your local u-pick junk yard, but it may take some patience to locate one that isn't broken.

 

I'm NO pro mechanic but have been messing with vehicles/machinery for the past 30yrs here in Memphis are (HOT and H U M I D..) The first 15 or so was working on my machinery Up north.
Here, it's nothing for it to get 140* on the ramp/deck at full sun, and 110* with 100%humidity at 1am with not a drop of rain in sight..

Just went a round with my 96 4cyl that ran a bit hot and was in a line waiting at Burger King, looked down and it's at 240+ (electric fan relay pooped out..)
ENOUGH OF THIS, so I pulled the T stat housing and drilled 4- 3/32" holes around the skirt of the Thermostat. (or you could push the spring back in and put a BB Pellet to block the shaft of the springs way to keep it open continuously)
NOW it runs at about 185 while driving/moving and only have to turn the fan on when I'm sitting.

Then, after a week decided to do same to my son's '01 Cherokee.
6cyl doesn't give the room for a cordless drill like the 4cyl does. So just pulled the T stat and got another.
Well, found out they come in 160*!! got one and a gasket, STILL drilled a couple holes, filled the system, and with the air on it stays around 195, or the mark before 210.. Never understood why they run SOO HOT and Jeep never really dealt with the issue.a
back in the day I would bypass the thermosensors on all my Honda's so the fan would be on with the key.

Just make sure to 'burp' the air from the system. AND take the bolts to a wire wheel and then put anti-seize on them before re-installing in head. Or heavy grease.
Granted, both my 4cyl and Sons' had new radiators installed but that was way BEFORE it was getting warm down here.

Errol