Okay, so I'm tired of my xj getting hot while wheeling so I decided I'm going to tune up my cooling system. I am going to wire a switch to the electric fan, replace my fan clutch, and flush the radiater, well I have a brand new water pump and I figured I would go ahead and do that as well. But I have never flushed a radiator of changed the water pump, however I am mechanically inclined and have done everything on my jeep myself. I can't seem to find a good detailed write up on flushing the radiator or changing the water pump. Could anybody help me or give me useful info

 

Take off the radiator cap. Take off the lower radiator hose (this will drain the cooling system). Take off the fans and remove them completely. Unbolt the power steering pump and set it to the side. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts. Remove the belt. Remove water pump pulley. Remove pump. Clean it all up. Reinstall backwards.

One thing you want to do is pick up a new water pump inlet tube (the hard metal tube that connects a heater hose from the water pump to the heater core). Chances are you wont be able to remove the old one and reinstall it on the new pump.

Also might as well do the thermostat and flush the block while you have everything apart too.

There are different ways to do a rad flush. How old is the radiator? And when was the last time you at least drained and refilled?

 

I changed the thermostat a year ago. I have owned the xj for 3 years and never flushed the coolant system. So I have no idea when it was done.

 

Sometimes you can get a bad thermostat, it has happened to me before. If you are planning on changing out the water pump and doing a flush. I would also remove the thermostat and check to make sure it is working right by heating water in a pan until the Thermostat opens. Then using a cooking thermometer to see if the thermostat is opening at the right temp.

 

I had success removing the inlet tube by heating the pump body itself with a propane torch.

It was off the truck at that point, tho.

 

Better yet, just pick up a new Mopar thermostat from the dealership for about $10 and replace it while you're in there.

Shoot, if it's been 3 years, might as well replace the radiator while you're at it. Just my opinion though

 

Yes, you can pick up a Mopar or any other brand thermostat that you want since most thermostats are manufactured in the same factories. The brand makes little or no difference.

Just make sure that whatever thermostat you use will open at the right temperature. A thermostat that is suppose to open at 195 but doesn't open until 215 will screw things up, and if you are trying to trouble shoot the problem a new thermostat is probably the last thing you'll be looking at.

 

If you decide to keep the radiator pull it early on before getting into anything else. Get a fin comb,if needed,to straighten out any fins that are badly damaged. Look through the fins to see if they're clogged. If so submerge the radiator in some hot soapy water and let soak while your doing the rest of the job. Some time while your doing the other work you need to check the a/c condensor,if you have one,for damage and clogging. Pressure wash through it if needed. When your ready to reinstall the radiator pressure wash through it. My '96 had never been done.

 

X2 Absolutely want a new inlet hose. *VERY IMPORTANT make sure you use thread sealant and get enough thread engagement on the inlet tube into the pump itself so it wont leak. I ended up using the flow kooler pump. Very happy with it

 

Teflon tape worked well for me.

 

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