Cherokee Cooling Woes

[OrangeSkidPlate]

I have been having a problem with keeping my Jeep cool when driving. It seems to heat up really easily. I have a dirtbound offroad 3 electric fan setup, and never had problem with the temp going up while in Moab with it being 100 degrees outside. Could my radiator be plugged? I plan to get a griffin radiator and a flex lite trans cooler. Would it be worth just ordering a new setup or just get it flushed?

 

[mombobuggy]

So many things can cause overheating issues. Old electric fans draw to many amperes for the stock relay. If it does not spin freely by hand it could be your culprit. I made a flusher with parts from the hardware store that i thread into my thermostat housing connected to the garden hose. You would not believe the rusty crap that came out of the radiator spout.

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

So flushing would be the best option?

 

[mombobuggy]

So flushing would be the best option?

I would start by checking out the fan. And replacing the water pump. Impellers can fall off the shaft. I change my antifreeze annually because I dont like it when my cooling system becomes a battery and promotes corrosion. Changing the heater core is a real pain on many vehicles. Is it possible your thermostat is not opening properly. Also as a pet owner I like pet safe or sierra brand anti freeze.

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

Would a hesco water pump be a worthy investment? The fans work well.

 

[N-Smooth]

The rad gets plugged often in xj's. I put an auto zone one in mine and it's been champ. The water pumps also get rusty and fall apart.

 

[XJEEPER]

What year is your XJ and how old is the radiator? Tstat?

 

[DevinB]

An overhaul on the cooling system really isn't too much money, but can take most of a Saturday. In one session I've done a new t-stat, t-stat housing, hoses, water pump, and radiator cap (once on my YJ and once on my WJ). People often overlook the cap, but my parents had a van into the dealership numerous times with overheating problems, they finally replaced the cap and that solved the problem. Maybe a radiator isn't too much more? I've never priced one for a XJ.