xj over heating

dan · 07-15-2010, 12:35 AM

pick up a 98 xj yesterday it over heated on the way back to my house the temp gauge was moving back and forth from cold to over heating and today the gauge isnt moving, so my question is, is this common or do i need to go thru the cooling system until i find the problem. this is my frist xj so i dont know thee normal problems any info would be greatly apperciated. it has the 4.0 if that helps

WrenchMonkey · 07-15-2010, 01:07 AM

I know the old renix systems a lot better than the new-fangled stuff, but the cycling from cold to hot makes me think "sticky thermostat."

'Course, if the gauge isn't working at all now, I'd certainly start there. Maybe the "cycling" was just a function of the dying gauge/sending unit.

Robert

blazerbrad · 07-15-2010, 09:12 AM

What driving conditions was this occurring at (freeway, cit, etc...)? Did you verify it was actually getting hot (boiling over/steaming) or just going by the gauge?

Huge fluctuations in the gauge reading like going from full cold to full hot pretty quickly usually make me think something is wrong with the gauge, wiring, or temp sensor. An engine can only heat up or cool down so fast.

Another quick check would the coolant level. If the level is really low, and pending the position of the temp sensor, it can actually go from reading the coolant to air pockets.

If the temp fluctation is smaller than I would be suscpicious of the thermostat.

dan · 07-15-2010, 09:19 AM

When it over heated I was in stop and go traffic it did boil over but the cap was just sitting on it not tightened down ( shohave checked before leaving but 45 minutest drive didn't overheat so didn't think about it) after I filled it back up and tightened cap only problem is gauge

Coppertop · 07-15-2010, 04:33 PM

Sounds like the electric fan is not working...Make sure both cooling fans are running.

Good Luck

Nick

1bad96xj · 07-16-2010, 12:02 AM

If your fan isnt working correctly you can bypass it using a lil bit of wire so it works all the time. This is what I did so I don't overheat as easy when sitting on trails waiting for ppl. Very simple and takes a few mins

1bad96xj · 07-15-2010, 09:15 AM

I've always heard it's because the XJ's have such small radiators. Mine never gets to the overheating point, but it's constantly running hot. Everyone I wheel with that run XJ's are also like this. But like the previous post said if its the temp gauge isn't working at all now I would start at the thermostat

07-15-2010, 12:35 AM	#1
dan gotta love middletucky Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middletown Posts: 106	xj over heating pick up a 98 xj yesterday it over heated on the way back to my house the temp gauge was moving back and forth from cold to over heating and today the gauge isnt moving, so my question is, is this common or do i need to go thru the cooling system until i find the problem. this is my frist xj so i dont know thee normal problems any info would be greatly apperciated. it has the 4.0 if that helps

07-15-2010, 01:07 AM	#2
WrenchMonkey Mechanical Animal - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Beechmont Posts: 1,883	I know the old renix systems a lot better than the new-fangled stuff, but the cycling from cold to hot makes me think "sticky thermostat." 'Course, if the gauge isn't working at all now, I'd certainly start there. Maybe the "cycling" was just a function of the dying gauge/sending unit. Robert __________________ DIRTY DEEDS, DONE DIRT CHEAP Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger

07-15-2010, 04:33 PM	#5
Coppertop XJWHEELING Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colerain Township Posts: 837	Sounds like the electric fan is not working...Make sure both cooling fans are running. Good Luck Nick __________________ Just a 200 dollar cherokee that wouldn't start .. Ten years later same chrome grille ..

07-15-2010, 09:12 AM	#3
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831 Images: 6	What driving conditions was this occurring at (freeway, cit, etc...)? Did you verify it was actually getting hot (boiling over/steaming) or just going by the gauge? Huge fluctuations in the gauge reading like going from full cold to full hot pretty quickly usually make me think something is wrong with the gauge, wiring, or temp sensor. An engine can only heat up or cool down so fast. Another quick check would the coolant level. If the level is really low, and pending the position of the temp sensor, it can actually go from reading the coolant to air pockets. If the temp fluctation is smaller than I would be suscpicious of the thermostat.

07-15-2010, 09:19 AM	#4
dan gotta love middletucky Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middletown Posts: 106	When it over heated I was in stop and go traffic it did boil over but the cap was just sitting on it not tightened down ( shohave checked before leaving but 45 minutest drive didn't overheat so didn't think about it) after I filled it back up and tightened cap only problem is gauge

07-16-2010, 12:02 AM	#6
1bad96xj Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 6	If your fan isnt working correctly you can bypass it using a lil bit of wire so it works all the time. This is what I did so I don't overheat as easy when sitting on trails waiting for ppl. Very simple and takes a few mins

07-15-2010, 09:15 AM	#7
1bad96xj Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 6	I've always heard it's because the XJ's have such small radiators. Mine never gets to the overheating point, but it's constantly running hot. Everyone I wheel with that run XJ's are also like this. But like the previous post said if its the temp gauge isn't working at all now I would start at the thermostat