How can I improve my cooling system?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 238
Likes: 88
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How can I improve my cooling system?
I have a 2000 Cherokee with a 4.0 and a stock cooling system.
It has a brand new water pump, 190 degree thermostat, and it’s topped with fresh coolant. The motor runs right at 210 on the road. Sitting in traffic it will sometimes creep a little above 210. I’ve noticed when I’m off-road, it creeps up to almost 220-230. It seems like the cooling system just needs a little boost. I definitely don’t want to risk overheating this thing, especially due to the bad reputation the 0331 cylinder heads have to crack.
Does anyone know a good way to beef up the cooling system so I can run a little cooler? Product links and any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 356
From: Andover, VT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
How old is your fan clutch? Overheating at low speed is a symptom of a worn fan clutch because the mechanical fan is not pulling enough air through the radiator to cool the coolant.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 238
Likes: 88
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My guess would be that it’s just as old as the Jeep, because I’ve never messed with it. Is there any way to tell by looking at it that it’s worn?
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 18,786
Likes: 14
From: CT.
Year: 88
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0 HO
BTW you can get these without the fans and it'll be fine.
https://www.protuninglab.com/91jechcoi4i6.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_mediu m=adwords&id=140852203018&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcLZBRCnAR IsAMPBgF2vEpMbAdcxjyUKOTa14TJcUiLxHpuxRvJ3pHfB9NBa GMv937U-rxgaArmWEALw_wcB
https://www.protuninglab.com/91jechcoi4i6.html?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_mediu m=adwords&id=140852203018&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcLZBRCnAR IsAMPBgF2vEpMbAdcxjyUKOTa14TJcUiLxHpuxRvJ3pHfB9NBa GMv937U-rxgaArmWEALw_wcB
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
You need a fan shroud, for one. An auxillary fan also helps. You can wire the auxillary fan to a toggle to run it manually, as needed. x2 on the fan clutch, but the missing shroud and auxillary arent helping any.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
no real reason for that...not really much of an upgrade
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Seriously X2.
You need em both, asap. Without the shroud that mech fan isnt pulling air through the radiator, youre just stirring hot air. And with no aux fan to back it up, youre double ****ed.
Im actually fairly impressed its not running hotter than that. Get those in place and shell probably run cool as a cucumber.
You need em both, asap. Without the shroud that mech fan isnt pulling air through the radiator, youre just stirring hot air. And with no aux fan to back it up, youre double ****ed.
Im actually fairly impressed its not running hotter than that. Get those in place and shell probably run cool as a cucumber.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 238
Likes: 88
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I did find it odd that it didn’t have them, but honestly I just thought that my Jeep just wasn’t fitted with an auxiliary fan and a fan shroud. I just figured it was a difference in production, maybe to save money. I bought the Jeep like this, never removed any of that stuff. Thanks for all your replies, I will look into upgrades for the future but I’ll definitely get the original equipment on there for now. Guess I’m making a trip to the junkyard soon.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 238
Likes: 88
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Bought the Jeep like that. At the time I didn’t know enough about the 4.0 to question why it didn’t have a shroud and fan. I really don’t know what would’ve happened to them or why someone would’ve even removed them.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Stupid people do stupid things. 
Can't blame you for not spotting something you had never seen before! But there's no need to look further - if you don't have the basics of the stock system in place, there is your problem. Full stop.
You don't need upgrades, you don't need improvements. You need the stock system, which works quite well according to the many members here who live in hot climates (like Phoenix) and run stock systems with ZERO problems.
You can get a fan shroud from someone who is parting out an old XJ. I don't know for sure, but I suspect the same shroud is used for all the years.
I have a shroud for a 94, and I might have the electric fan for it, too. Your local Craigslist can probably help you out, too.
Can't blame you for not spotting something you had never seen before! But there's no need to look further - if you don't have the basics of the stock system in place, there is your problem. Full stop.
You don't need upgrades, you don't need improvements. You need the stock system, which works quite well according to the many members here who live in hot climates (like Phoenix) and run stock systems with ZERO problems.
You can get a fan shroud from someone who is parting out an old XJ. I don't know for sure, but I suspect the same shroud is used for all the years.
I have a shroud for a 94, and I might have the electric fan for it, too. Your local Craigslist can probably help you out, too.