Cooling down an XJ 2001

Z

zesxj2001

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Maryland
I have a lightly modified 2001 XJ (4.0) with a 3 1/2 inch suspension kit and 31 inch tires. Already have a transmission cooler installed. It seems to work well.
I live in Maryland and usually go to the Outerbanks in North Carolina in July / August for a week of wheeling and fun on the beach. Last year I had a big problem getting back home. Outside temperature was about 100°F and the Jeep overheated. Can only drive at about 55 mph and forget about aircon! That just makes things worse!!!! We had to drive with all the windows open and not put any load on the engine. Wife and kids not happy....I have read many articles about cooling an XJ and must saythat I am thoroughly confused - 3 cor versus 2 cor, better water pump, electric fan versus clutch fan, cutting out hood, high flow thermostat housing and and and....
Does anybody have any experience on the most effective cooling mods?
Many thanks in advance.
 
Re: Colling down an XJ 2001

You can spend a lot of money on cooling systems upgrades but really if you have a properly working system with good parts you will be fine. Here is what I would recommend, It's what I have and I don't overheat a bit and I’m running 33s in the summer heat of Kansas.

-CSF 3 row radiator
-Stant OE thermostat
-Stant radiator cap
-OE NAPA water pump while you got the radiator out
-Refill with new coolant and burp system
 
Re: Colling down an XJ 2001

I agree. If the basic system is working as it should then it works pretty good.
Nothing wrong with dropping in some new parts. Almost all of these rides are getting some miles on them.
 
Re: Colling down an XJ 2001

You shouldn't be overheating with 31"s, even with all OE parts. Airflow seems to be the XJ's biggest problem IMO, make sure both of your fans are working properly, esp the mechanical clutch, they often work but not at 100%. If your doing any repairs, I would recommend a new thermostat and cap for good measure.
 
Re: Colling down an XJ 2001

Im running 4.5 inch lift and 31's. when rebuilt my motor with all new napa 3 pass radiator new high flow water pump. new fan clutch and net thermostat and it still over heats, in anything over 90 degrees or so... im not sure what to do. really dont want to cut holes in my hood. i think my next mod is going to be another electric fan mounted on the front of the radiator... idk what else to do... it kinda pisses me off. all new everything and it still overheats...
 
call DPG offroad for the CSF radiator. Put one in my 2000 and it solved all my issues. Also, while everything is out, take off your old water pump. Chances are its still in fine shape, so just clean it real good. Then flush your block and heater core. Fill with prestone, GO!
 
Before you start throwing $$ at it,you should find out what the problem is.I tow my 3000# camping trailer everywhere I go with my 2000XJ and its ALOT hotter than a 100* here.
 
I agree with the mods suggested above, except that in my case getting a CSF 3 row made my temps go up in stop and go/city traffic during summer, otherwise it was great. It never overheated, but it went up high enough to kick on the electric fan where my leaking OEM rad never did. Supporting mods done to my rig at the time were a 180* thermo and hi flow housing also did a chemical flush. So what Im saying is if you do city driving maybe the 2 core would serve you better.
 
Welcome to naxj!
I'm not trying to be an ass. But, I'm curious to know your definition of "overheated".
 
Many thanks for all the great suggestions.
To answer one of the questions about "overheated" - I-64, traveling at 70mph with aircon on outside temp around 100°F. Dashboard lights begun to flash (temp gauge max) and it threw all the coolant out. Waited about 2 hours for the engine to cool down (much to wife's and kid's chagrin...). Walked to a farm near by and the folks were kind to give me a few gallons of water. Filled the Jeep up again (only water) and drove slowly back home 45 to 50mph with no aircon. Temperature was high (around 220 - 225) but did not overheat again. A few days later put the correct 50 / 50 mixture and tried another short trip and the same nearly happened. The temperature begins to creep slowly.
My XJ is a weekend driver only and it has 74000 miles since new. It is in great shape other than the (stupid) overheating problem.
Thanks again!
 
The stock XJ cooling system is fine with lifts, strokers or whatever with only a larger aftermarket radiator. The stock single core radiator gradually plugs up and causes the largest share of cooling problems. If the aux fan is coming on, and the fan clutch is good, and the radiator cap is holding pressure, then replace the radiator.

Many, many threads about people chasing cooling problems with all kinds of upgrades, when all they actually need is a new radiator. Good radiator, good fan clutch, good aux fan, good cap.......no cooling issues. Electric fans, high flow water pumps, etc etc are just waste of money.
 
Take a garden hose to the outside of the radiator. You dont realize how dirty it actually is. I have to clean the radiator on my 2000 f- 250 usually at least once a summer or it will overheat. Mine never had any issues in the 90-95 degree summer here in Ohio.
 
Goatman said:
The stock XJ cooling system is fine with lifts, strokers or whatever with only a larger aftermarket radiator. The stock single core radiator gradually plugs up and causes the largest share of cooling problems. If the aux fan is coming on, and the fan clutch is good, and the radiator cap is holding pressure, then replace the radiator.

Many, many threads about people chasing cooling problems with all kinds of upgrades, when all they actually need is a new radiator. Good radiator, good fan clutch, good aux fan, good cap.......no cooling issues. Electric fans, high flow water pumps, etc etc are just waste of money.
Click to expand...

X2...find the problem and fix it, just throwing upgrades at it are a waste if you still haven't addressed the problem.
 
every time I have flushed a radiator with plastic tanks.... a leak started. I always replace the cap with the stant one with the red handle. seems to seal better and last longer the the screw on only version.

I usually flush everything out, replace cap, hoses and coolant every 2 years or so. I have yet to replace the water pump on any of my jeeps. I feel like clean coolant keeps it from degrading.

Ive only replaced the my XJ rad with a full brass/copper 3 core. On my TJ rad sealant did the trick for now. But the stock jeep rads are really a POS.
 
austinaubinoe said:
every time I have flushed a radiator with plastic tanks.... a leak started. I always replace the cap with the stant one with the red handle. seems to seal better and last longer the the screw on only version.

I usually flush everything out, replace cap, hoses and coolant every 2 years or so. I have yet to replace the water pump on any of my jeeps. I feel like clean coolant keeps it from degrading.

Ive only replaced the my XJ rad with a full brass/copper 3 core. On my TJ rad sealant did the trick for now. But the stock jeep rads are really a POS.
Click to expand...



Good info here.

The cooling system cleaner are hard on the seals for the pumps and the plastic in the tanks. Keep the coolant fresh and it shouldn't have any problems.

I Always use the pressure relief caps. If nothing else it's a good safety precaution. If you've ever been burned by hot fluid you will do the same thing.
 
I have a 2000 with the 4.0 and 5.5" lift with 31's. I installed a 180 degree thermostat and a custom intake and I haven't overheated since, even in the 100+ degree summers here. I'm running the orange coolant, if that means anything... Right now (in the winter) my temp guage needle sits just a hair over the mark before 210 (which is about 185), and in the summer the most I saw was the needle at just under 210 (and that was going up hills)!
 
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