Hey this is my first post but I been reading for two weeks and I don't know that I have a unique problem but I don't see anybody else with the same issues....
I bought my 98 xj 4wd about 2 weeks ago. The guy said that it had a blown head gasket but when I looked and saw the factory water pump I told him there was no way it was blown. Anyway I ate those words whether or not the head gasket was blown then or not.
Long story short... He or someone had wired the fan to stay on all the time so I proceeded with my plan. I changed the water pump, thermostat and wired the fan back to factory. Before I done all this the thing would stay on all the time and I would be at 220 on the temp.
Done the work and it work great for about 150 miles. I was coming home and I had just filled up with gas but I thought I heard a spark knock. It was actually pre detonation. When I stopped at the light the steam went everywhere and then the temp gauge caught up to the situation. It pegged.
If the dam head gasket wasnt blown I was sure it was now.
Plan B. I changed the head gasket, upper and lower hoses, and a fresh thermostat just in case.
I had a really hard time getting it cranked but it did and it ran rough but cleared out. Drove it 20 miles and all is well.
Then it pegged again.... I limped it home and decided to change the radiator.
Done that and it seems to be fine but I've only put 10 miles on it. I'm going to drive it some more tomorrow(monday) but if it does it again then I'm fresh out of stuff to do.
Long post I know so I'll summarize.
water pump, thermo, head gasket with new bolts and a machine shop checked my head(had to take some off but I was still good), new plugs and wires, new antifreeze and a new radiator.
You guys are great and I hope I can return the favor
I bought my 98 xj 4wd about 2 weeks ago. The guy said that it had a blown head gasket but when I looked and saw the factory water pump I told him there was no way it was blown. Anyway I ate those words whether or not the head gasket was blown then or not.
Long story short... He or someone had wired the fan to stay on all the time so I proceeded with my plan. I changed the water pump, thermostat and wired the fan back to factory. Before I done all this the thing would stay on all the time and I would be at 220 on the temp.
Done the work and it work great for about 150 miles. I was coming home and I had just filled up with gas but I thought I heard a spark knock. It was actually pre detonation. When I stopped at the light the steam went everywhere and then the temp gauge caught up to the situation. It pegged.
If the dam head gasket wasnt blown I was sure it was now.
Plan B. I changed the head gasket, upper and lower hoses, and a fresh thermostat just in case.
I had a really hard time getting it cranked but it did and it ran rough but cleared out. Drove it 20 miles and all is well.
Then it pegged again.... I limped it home and decided to change the radiator.
Done that and it seems to be fine but I've only put 10 miles on it. I'm going to drive it some more tomorrow(monday) but if it does it again then I'm fresh out of stuff to do.
Long post I know so I'll summarize.
water pump, thermo, head gasket with new bolts and a machine shop checked my head(had to take some off but I was still good), new plugs and wires, new antifreeze and a new radiator.
You guys are great and I hope I can return the favor