XJ cooling issue-beating my head against the wall
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Currently in ST George KS
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, K&N, TB Spacer, Banks Exhaust Manifold
XJ cooling issue-beating my head against the wall
Ok, Jeep fans I have a dilemma and I need your vast knowledge and input.
I have a 1996 Cherokee with a 4.5” lift, heavy bumper front and rear with a winch mounted in the front. I have about 137,000 miles on it so far. The problem that I have is this:
when it is warm outside (above 75-80*F) my jeep runs hot, say 230-240*F. This happens at highway speed or on long pulls up hills. Here is a breakdown on all the parts I have replaced or had checked.
Transmission has been serviced and checked for slippage/ wear
Water pump
Power steering pump
Radiator hoses, top and bottom-with spring
New 3 core radiator- also had it checked for corrosion and leak/pressure tested
Perma-cool electric fan installed that is pulling 3000 cfm (pulled the clutch fan out)
Thermostat at 195* ( I put a lower 160* in and had no change so I went back to original specs)
New AC clutch fan
Pulled the head and had it checked for trueness then put new gaskets on with ARP head bolts
Consistently flushed the cooling system
Tried water wetter with no change or improvement
Running 50/50 mix of anti-freeze
The only other options I can think of are putting a high flow water pump in such as a Hesco high flow, or worst case is pull the entire I-6 motor and
drop in an LS style motor (got one in the shop that I am in the process of going thru J!)
Or I have thought about putting a pusher fan on the front and sandwich it in between my front grill, and the tranny cooler.
Ok guys let me know what you think, and thanks much
I have a 1996 Cherokee with a 4.5” lift, heavy bumper front and rear with a winch mounted in the front. I have about 137,000 miles on it so far. The problem that I have is this:
when it is warm outside (above 75-80*F) my jeep runs hot, say 230-240*F. This happens at highway speed or on long pulls up hills. Here is a breakdown on all the parts I have replaced or had checked.
Transmission has been serviced and checked for slippage/ wear
Water pump
Power steering pump
Radiator hoses, top and bottom-with spring
New 3 core radiator- also had it checked for corrosion and leak/pressure tested
Perma-cool electric fan installed that is pulling 3000 cfm (pulled the clutch fan out)
Thermostat at 195* ( I put a lower 160* in and had no change so I went back to original specs)
New AC clutch fan
Pulled the head and had it checked for trueness then put new gaskets on with ARP head bolts
Consistently flushed the cooling system
Tried water wetter with no change or improvement
Running 50/50 mix of anti-freeze
The only other options I can think of are putting a high flow water pump in such as a Hesco high flow, or worst case is pull the entire I-6 motor and
drop in an LS style motor (got one in the shop that I am in the process of going thru J!)
Or I have thought about putting a pusher fan on the front and sandwich it in between my front grill, and the tranny cooler.
Ok guys let me know what you think, and thanks much
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 1
From: Warren, Pa
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Ok, Jeep fans I have a dilemma and I need your vast knowledge and input.
I have a 1996 Cherokee with a 4.5” lift, heavy bumper front and rear with a winch mounted in the front. I have about 137,000 miles on it so far. The problem that I have is this:
when it is warm outside (above 75-80*F) my jeep runs hot, say 230-240*F. This happens at highway speed or on long pulls up hills. Here is a breakdown on all the parts I have replaced or had checked.
Transmission has been serviced and checked for slippage/ wear
Water pump
Power steering pump
Radiator hoses, top and bottom-with spring
New 3 core radiator- also had it checked for corrosion and leak/pressure tested
Perma-cool electric fan installed that is pulling 3000 cfm (pulled the clutch fan out)
Thermostat at 195* ( I put a lower 160* in and had no change so I went back to original specs)
New AC clutch fan
Pulled the head and had it checked for trueness then put new gaskets on with ARP head bolts
Consistently flushed the cooling system
Tried water wetter with no change or improvement
Running 50/50 mix of anti-freeze
The only other options I can think of are putting a high flow water pump in such as a Hesco high flow, or worst case is pull the entire I-6 motor and
drop in an LS style motor (got one in the shop that I am in the process of going thru J!)
Or I have thought about putting a pusher fan on the front and sandwich it in between my front grill, and the tranny cooler.
Ok guys let me know what you think, and thanks much
I have a 1996 Cherokee with a 4.5” lift, heavy bumper front and rear with a winch mounted in the front. I have about 137,000 miles on it so far. The problem that I have is this:
when it is warm outside (above 75-80*F) my jeep runs hot, say 230-240*F. This happens at highway speed or on long pulls up hills. Here is a breakdown on all the parts I have replaced or had checked.
Transmission has been serviced and checked for slippage/ wear
Water pump
Power steering pump
Radiator hoses, top and bottom-with spring
New 3 core radiator- also had it checked for corrosion and leak/pressure tested
Perma-cool electric fan installed that is pulling 3000 cfm (pulled the clutch fan out)
Thermostat at 195* ( I put a lower 160* in and had no change so I went back to original specs)
New AC clutch fan
Pulled the head and had it checked for trueness then put new gaskets on with ARP head bolts
Consistently flushed the cooling system
Tried water wetter with no change or improvement
Running 50/50 mix of anti-freeze
The only other options I can think of are putting a high flow water pump in such as a Hesco high flow, or worst case is pull the entire I-6 motor and
drop in an LS style motor (got one in the shop that I am in the process of going thru J!)
Or I have thought about putting a pusher fan on the front and sandwich it in between my front grill, and the tranny cooler.
Ok guys let me know what you think, and thanks much
EDIT: Are you sure your temp gauge is reading correct?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
yep. as mentioned above check heater core, I'd replace the entire fan clutch with another electric fan, and make sure your temp gauge is accurate. but personally I say give up and swap in the LS 
dont bother with a push fan. you did mention automatic or manual, but you can also try bypassing the the radiator and running your transmission lines separately through a cooler. the trans fluid going through the radiator is actually being warmed. if you live somewhere warm, bypass it
finally check for cracked header. that can also cause overheating
dont bother with a push fan. you did mention automatic or manual, but you can also try bypassing the the radiator and running your transmission lines separately through a cooler. the trans fluid going through the radiator is actually being warmed. if you live somewhere warm, bypass it
finally check for cracked header. that can also cause overheating
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Currently in ST George KS
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, K&N, TB Spacer, Banks Exhaust Manifold
more info
Ok, here is some more info to add to the problem. I had put a new clutch fan in with no change, also did a coolant flush say about 5-6 times with heat running so I could get all coolant out of the motor. I am pretty sure the temp gauge is accurate as I have replaced the sensor on the block 3 times and I used a laser thermometer to verify the temp. I have the winch mounted midline with the grill, it is mounted on a Rock Hard 4X4 front bumper and mounting plate. My electric fan comes on at 195* and I know it is working (sounds like a jet turbine when it starts up).
I have a banks exhaust manifold on with a high flow cat converter and magnaflow exhaust...
Any thing else that you think I have missed? And thanks for all of your input.
Also I have a new rad cap on it- no change
The head was also checked for cracks or warping at a local machine shop that is highly recommended.
And I have the auto tranny...
I have a banks exhaust manifold on with a high flow cat converter and magnaflow exhaust...
Any thing else that you think I have missed? And thanks for all of your input.
Also I have a new rad cap on it- no change
The head was also checked for cracks or warping at a local machine shop that is highly recommended.
And I have the auto tranny...
Last edited by climber2_up; Apr 16, 2013 at 12:16 PM. Reason: addtional info
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Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I 4.0
What kind of oil are you running? I assume your belt is nice and tight. I don't know what would make it run that hot seeing as how you've pert near gone through it all. I only mention oil because its responsible for 40% of engine cooling
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