My 1996 won't stop running HOT!!!

[x2elite]

I don't think that the cat is clogged or i would think there would be other issues, like acting sluggish, no power, etc..... My jeep has plenty of power, its actually surprising how much power it has considering it has 200K on the ODO. Also there is nowhere to have a tailpipe sniff test done here. We don't have emissions testing in AR, and no one has the equipment to do it.

 

[shanesaw]

I don't know if it's common among newer Cherokee's, but I have found the radiator becomes periodically clogged over time in my 1987, and had a friend have the same thing in her 1988. About every three years I see the thermostat running hotter than normal. I used to pull the radiator and have it rodded out at my local radiator shop for about $40, but now I just swap the radiator at my local autoparts store - lifetime warranty. Both ways never failed to get me running cool again. Good luck.

 

[x2elite]

I swapped in the new three row radiator last night, and have been driving it all day (100 degrees out here) with the A/C on without it running hot. Hopefully, it will stay running cool, and I won't have to deal with this BS anymore.

 

[x2elite]

Well guys, I have been driving on it for a couple days now, and all is well. In a way I am as happy as can be, but in another way I am super pissed that the first radiator (2 row) that I bought was obviously defective in some way. I have a brand new two row radiator sitting in the box useless now.

 

[atxchris1234]

Link to new rad? Im buying one.

 

[old_man]

Glad to see you got it fixed.

 

[x2elite]

http://www.radiatorbarn.com/s7.asp?ac=Y&year=1996&make=JEEP&model=CHEROKEE&submodel=ALL+MODELS&engine_size=L6%2C4.0L%2C242ci

The three row on the top is the one I bought. It made a huge difference.

 

[n1ywb]

Suspects: Raditor cap, system pressurization, head gasket

Go to Autozone, rent the coolant system pressure tester. Test your coolant system to make sure it holds pressure and doesn't leak down, and also test your radiator cap. If the system doesn't hold 15 psi like it's supposed to, it WILL boil over. Also make sure the radiator cap mating surface are clean and smooth so the gasket makes a good seal.

If that all passes, consider the head gasket suspect. Take it to a shop and have them do a test for exhaust gas in the radiator. If it passes that, have them do a cylinder leak down test (like a compression test but better, picks up on slow leaks.

Also pick up this month's JP magazine which has a great article on troubleshooting cooling problems.