87 Cherokee
#1
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
87 Cherokee
Overheating and bowing out the fill bottle. Need some guidance with where to start the trouble shooting process.
#2
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Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
If nothing has been done to the cooling system in a while, you should start with a new thermostat, water pump, radiator hoses, and heater hoses. Check the condition of the fan clutch, make sure the serp belt is tight, and make sure the electric fan is working. Check and make sure there is good air flow through the radiator, look for a bunch of dirt and junk built up between the A/C condensor and radiator and clean it out. It may be time for a new radiator, it could be full of crud. You might even consider swapping to the 91+ open cooling system and get rid of the surge tank system all together.
#4
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Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Last week my jeep decided to develop cooling issues. Mine is an 89. First I discovered a split in the side of the reservoir so I replaced that, then on the way to work weds at 430 am it started getting hot and smelling of antifreeze. I noticed that the plastic vacuum valve had broken where the hose went into the heater core. So I had it towed, took off the piece and went to a salvage yard. Since I had lost most of the coolant I replaced the upper and lower hoses as well.
After putting it all back together and refilling, it got hot again and was spitting back through the bottom of the res tank. I thought it may be the thermostat, so I bought one and was asking myself what else could it be. Well the water pump was working that morning so I didn't think it was that so I thought maybe something was blocking flow.
I took the hose I had bought back off and washed it out and tried to blow though it.
Air went through it great on the bottom hose, but I noticed the top hose that went to the top of the res tank wasn't getting air through. It has compression fittings so I cut those off with a cutoff wheel and started digging into the pipe with a piece of wire. It was blocked with gunk and what looked like silicone. After cleaning it out and buying a couple new pieces of hose, I replaced the thermostat with a 180, even though stock is 190, and filled it and it's been consistantly cool ever since then.
I also thought lately I haven't heard my fan kick on. I unplugged it, ran a jumper and it worked. I've been wanting a more direct way to turn my fan on so while at the salvage I cut the opp side of the connector and wired it direct to a switch on my dash. It works great, but I haven't needed it lately. It's been over 100 d here and it's still running cool. Here is a pic to describe where I'm talking about. Being that old, I'm not saying yours is, but it may be getting blocked. It's not too hard to check, just a few hose clamps. I just know the jeep I took it off was surely having cooling issues with that hose assembly.
After putting it all back together and refilling, it got hot again and was spitting back through the bottom of the res tank. I thought it may be the thermostat, so I bought one and was asking myself what else could it be. Well the water pump was working that morning so I didn't think it was that so I thought maybe something was blocking flow.
I took the hose I had bought back off and washed it out and tried to blow though it.
Air went through it great on the bottom hose, but I noticed the top hose that went to the top of the res tank wasn't getting air through. It has compression fittings so I cut those off with a cutoff wheel and started digging into the pipe with a piece of wire. It was blocked with gunk and what looked like silicone. After cleaning it out and buying a couple new pieces of hose, I replaced the thermostat with a 180, even though stock is 190, and filled it and it's been consistantly cool ever since then.
I also thought lately I haven't heard my fan kick on. I unplugged it, ran a jumper and it worked. I've been wanting a more direct way to turn my fan on so while at the salvage I cut the opp side of the connector and wired it direct to a switch on my dash. It works great, but I haven't needed it lately. It's been over 100 d here and it's still running cool. Here is a pic to describe where I'm talking about. Being that old, I'm not saying yours is, but it may be getting blocked. It's not too hard to check, just a few hose clamps. I just know the jeep I took it off was surely having cooling issues with that hose assembly.
Last edited by Jurnymn; 06-28-2012 at 04:45 PM.
#5
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4L
87 Jeep Cherokee over heating.
Wow, what a response, thank you all for the valuable information. Greatly appreciated. Lots of things to check and possibly replace.
One more question: to convert to the open system like on the 91, do I have to get a new radiator with a radiator cap or somehow just by pass the plastic expansion tank and install a filler and relief cap?
Again, thanks to all that responded.
One more question: to convert to the open system like on the 91, do I have to get a new radiator with a radiator cap or somehow just by pass the plastic expansion tank and install a filler and relief cap?
Again, thanks to all that responded.
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