Running hot - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

yumpet · #1 25-09-2006

my XJ is running hot again and i don't kno why the coolant is still good and the radiator has 't lost any fluid in the past few months, i don't know what too do now, i have replaced the thermostat, what next

also i want to look at putting some sort of vents in too cool it even more when it is in slow traffic (read as sand) as up here in the Isa my winter weather can be over 30 degrees, who has bonnet vents and what seems too work well, and yes i have seen go jeeps bonnet but i aint got the $$$$ to buy one

Gojeep · #2 25-09-2006

Did you look at all the other vent shots I have on another page there too? Also there is the write up on Davids XJ too.

Glenn · #3 25-09-2006

if you took that rubber seal out from the back edge of the bonnet and perhaps put a washer or two under the hinges to jack the rear of the bonnet a bit would that breath much air ?? cheaper and less nasty than digging holes in your bonnet maybe

PK · #4 26-09-2006

Grant has vents in his bonnet - maybe pm him.

Also check that your radiator isn't blocked - inside and out!

DazzaXJ96 · #5 26-09-2006

Ouch that sound familiar. I have replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat, coolant X 3, waterpump and it still runs hot in traffic or slow 4X4 driving. With the bypass switch I can now easily deal with those few occassions. Im still thinking to put in electric fan & bonnet vents but its no longer urgent.

Gildo · #6 26-09-2006

Replace your waterpump & thermpstat.
The waterpumps on these rust away quicker than your could believe because of the dissimilar metals.
My 98 had 180,000km and the impellors were completly gone. It was basicly a disc left spinning in the coolant.
The PO had replaced the rest of the cooling system and it was still too hot.
I have seen this in another 96 and a 94.

xjdavid · #7 01-10-2006

I had to replace the viscus fan at 130,000 ks. The XJs do run quiet hot and I have had mine with the needle at the end of the gauge and it didnt cause any real problems didnt even blow any water out. make sure the coolant mixture is actually 50 50 coolant and water as the XJ radiator not easy to drain and if the job is done at a shop I suppect that they dont take the time to do the job properly. The best ratio is 50 50. Apparently it is possible to get an after market aluminium radiator with larger tubes that will fix the problem. Not sure where to get them.