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)?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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...