Cherryokee

Some days you're the dog and some days you're the tree... knowwhutimean?

My XJ's demons are multiplying. An hour ago, my cooling system went south (no pun intended) while en-route to the auto parts store for motor/trans mounts which was the original plan for one day this weekend.

The radiator blew out at the core/tank junction. Now I suspect it may have been caused by failure of the cap's 16lb pressure-relief function. The heater core was already temporarily by-passed about ten days ago with a plan to do heater & A/C evap cores in October. I need my Jeep for our CC seashore vacation in exactly seven days. Too much to do while working days too. Bye-bye paycheck.

I guess it'll be a full weekend in the garage. Wifey is NOT going to be very happy (or helpful) when I break this news.

Right now I need a cold beer - and that serenity prayer - while I survey the scenario.

Should I be concerned about the water pump, t-stat, cylinder head and/or gasket at this stage of the game (all original on 178K miles)?

thatXJguy

This weekend I'll be pressure-washing my underside and cleaning the engine of all the trailing muck. Yupiknowwhutyoumean.

NathanJ

Lets see. Drain water from cooling system (flushed it last weekend and ran out of time/light), reinstall thermostat, try new relay for electric fan, add coolant. remove heater core valve with new hose, check the brakes... I'm gonna run out of time again.

Cherryokee

I was right about one part of the situation - the wifey part.

NathanJ

My wife and I split up almost a month ago. It sucks.

sthon

That's still only a days worth of work and maybe a 12 pack. If you think the rad failed due to built up pressure you're going to want to replace the hoses, thermostat, and probably the water pump. And obviously the radiator and cap...