sberrett
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Los Angeles
Ok here's my latest report
I've read this whole review thread a few times over as well as everything else on the internet regarding XJ cooling issues. Even started some question threads over the years. Here is a quick recap of my issue an my solution.
94 XJ with 3.5 RE lift, 31 inch tires has always ran way to warm-hot since I owned it (got it back in 2005). Over the years I've ran a GDI 3 core and various other 3core all metal radiators before using CSF radiators over the last few years. When my last CSF 3 core started leaking (2671) I decided to try the regular 2 core (2760) version. I bought that in November of 2022 and it once again performed ok on the highway, but rand noticeably warmer than the previous radiators I had. Stop and go city traffic had me always around 215 and would usually creep up to trigger the e-fan. Inclines/mountain grades had me 236-245ish. Desert driving even on flat highways had me at 225-230.
I had also replaced the following items on my cooling system
This last CSF 2760 only lasted 3 years before it started leaking again and I was once again scouring the internet for a solution. I was going to give the Champion BC1193 a try, but I kept seeing people mention keep the cooling system as close to OEM as possible. That was the one thing I had never tried. I was, and still am skeptical of plastic tank aluminum core radiators and, but decided it couldnt hurt to try. I decided to go with the OSC 1193 on Summit. I just installed it last Friday and it was a direct drop in and fit with zero issues. I had the old one out and new one installed in about an hour.
After filling it and burping I could already tell the difference. T-stat opens and it now idles at 200-205. Same temps for stop and go traffic in the city. On the highway I'm at 198-200. About 200-205 on grades/inclines that would previously get me instantly up to 224 and kick the e-fan on and require the heater in more continual climbs.. I now have the added bonus of being able to use my AC in hot areas too (was 106 where I was this weekend)
I hate to admit it, but a 120 dollar oem style plastic tank aluminum core radiator solved the issues I had been throwing money at and chasing after all these years.
I've read this whole review thread a few times over as well as everything else on the internet regarding XJ cooling issues. Even started some question threads over the years. Here is a quick recap of my issue an my solution.
94 XJ with 3.5 RE lift, 31 inch tires has always ran way to warm-hot since I owned it (got it back in 2005). Over the years I've ran a GDI 3 core and various other 3core all metal radiators before using CSF radiators over the last few years. When my last CSF 3 core started leaking (2671) I decided to try the regular 2 core (2760) version. I bought that in November of 2022 and it once again performed ok on the highway, but rand noticeably warmer than the previous radiators I had. Stop and go city traffic had me always around 215 and would usually creep up to trigger the e-fan. Inclines/mountain grades had me 236-245ish. Desert driving even on flat highways had me at 225-230.
I had also replaced the following items on my cooling system
- New ZJ fan clutch (Napa 272310)
- Hayden 678 universal aux trans cooler
- New fan shroud
- New waterpump
- New motorad (SNN-2000-195) 195 thermostat
- New hoses
- HCV delete
- Flushed the system multiple times (coolant was always green, never rust present)
- Block test for combustion gas in coolan
- Compression and Leak down tests (all within spec)
- New coolant sensors (thermostat and engine block)
- Added a digital temp gauge for better accuracy
- Cleaned the condenser with coil cleaner from home depot
Re-aligned all the condenser fins with alignment rake/tool
This last CSF 2760 only lasted 3 years before it started leaking again and I was once again scouring the internet for a solution. I was going to give the Champion BC1193 a try, but I kept seeing people mention keep the cooling system as close to OEM as possible. That was the one thing I had never tried. I was, and still am skeptical of plastic tank aluminum core radiators and, but decided it couldnt hurt to try. I decided to go with the OSC 1193 on Summit. I just installed it last Friday and it was a direct drop in and fit with zero issues. I had the old one out and new one installed in about an hour.
After filling it and burping I could already tell the difference. T-stat opens and it now idles at 200-205. Same temps for stop and go traffic in the city. On the highway I'm at 198-200. About 200-205 on grades/inclines that would previously get me instantly up to 224 and kick the e-fan on and require the heater in more continual climbs.. I now have the added bonus of being able to use my AC in hot areas too (was 106 where I was this weekend)
I hate to admit it, but a 120 dollar oem style plastic tank aluminum core radiator solved the issues I had been throwing money at and chasing after all these years.
