CherockeeXJ

So I just bought a 1997 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L V8 Friday on the drive home the temp gauge got up to 220-230. Then when I got home radiator fluid came pouring out the hose in the wheel well. I popped the hood and the coolant appears to be boiling in the overflow tank.

I checked the oil, it doesn't look milky. I opened the radiator and started the jeep and it didn't shoot any fluid/bubble then.

I haven't noticed any white smoke or the smell of burning radiator fluid.

Anyone know what's happening here?

Turbo X_J

Really, you removed the radiator cap on a hot system? Is the coolant level up to specs?

CherockeeXJ

I removed the cap on a cool system, started, then observed.

The coolant level was up to spec until it boiled over/out. Now their is just enough to fill the radiator. All my buddies are screaming blown head gasket at me because the fact it's "boiling" into the overflow and out. It never gets into the red on the gage. Could it be the tstat or pump and if so how would I check on those?

Bustedback

Your buddies are idiots. It could be as simple as a bad radiator cap, it is the most over looked item of the cooling system.

Flame

You could let it idle with the radiator cap off in the driveway until the thermostat opens and make sure you're getting good fluid movement

CherockeeXJ

Yeah, I took a look at it and the spring looks to have seen better days. I'm just going to replace it since its cheap.

Then I'm going to make sure the t stat is working. The water pump doesnt appear to be leaking and the pulley doesn't have a whole lot of play in it.

Between school and work I have to find time though.

dnuccio

if it had a blown head gasket, you would know it.

CherockeeXJ

How? Does it run that poorly if it has a blown head gasket?

Bustedback

Steam out of the tail pipe and a miss. Lots of steam and the smell of coolant out of the exhaust.

CherockeeXJ

Well when I bought it had a miss but I replaced spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor and that stopped. There isn't anything coming from the exhaust as far as I've noticed.

It just boils into the overflow tank and then out the hose in the wheel well onto the ground

Bustedback

It couldn't hurt to replace the water pump, t-stat, hoses, and cap. It's probably time for some cooling system maintenance anyway. Do the fan clutch too.

CherockeeXJ

The hoses look fairly new already. But theyre cheap enough I probably will. Can I do a flush with hard water than refill 50/50 with distilled water and coolant?

Also what are the pros/cons on the 180 vs 215 tstats?

Bustedback

It should have a 195 degree thermostat in it, no pros to running a 180. I use the water out of the garden hose and mix it 50/50 with regular green coolant , never had a problem.

TheKappy

I had the same issue. Get a new radiator cap and pop in a 195 degree tstat. Flush it with new coolant and you should be good to go..I was! I also changed the lower hose And put a new fan in because they were due.

CherockeeXJ

Simple enough. I'll probably get to it Thursday morning.