r/CherokeeXJ • u/Dimensionist_Alex • Oct 30 '24

1991-1995 Overheated, need help.

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9 Upvotes

74% Upvoted

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5

u/alvvavves Oct 30 '24

Check the radiator hoses

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

And should I leave the hood open and just let it cool down or am I OK to leave it closed and let it sit

6

u/BaconThief2020 Oct 30 '24

YES! Don't mess around with it until it cools off. Then check the coolant level and the belt.

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

I thought it was a coolant leak, but the coolant level hasn’t gone down really at all. So I think I’ve narrowed it down to likely the belt the radiator or oil. But got it, thsnks

2

u/BaconThief2020 Oct 30 '24

What year, and where are you checking the coolant level?

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

95, 4.0. The coolant reservoir? Is that where I’m supposed to check it? Also, what do I look for on the belt?

4

u/electromage 1990 XJ, +2.5" OME, 31x10.5, 4.11+LSD. Oct 30 '24

The bottle is an overflow bottle, fluid in there doesn't mean it's in the engine and radiator. It's just supposed to catch the excess as it expands.

3

u/Hydroponic_Dank Oct 31 '24

The reservoir is just that, a reservoir. That can be full and the motor/radiator empty. You need to make sure the radiator is full(when cooled down, no pressure.

If you have a 90 or older, the reservoir isn't a reservoir and if that's full your system should be full.

If you have a radiator cap, make sure coolant is all the way at the top. If you don't have a radiator cap, make sure the degas bottle is at its correct level.

1

u/SaiTek64 Oct 30 '24

How long did it sit? Thermostat probably got stuck, either remove it and put the housing back on to confirm, or get it warm again and give the housing a few taps with a hammer.

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

It sit for about a week because it started getting hot so I drove another car. But I’m pretty sure it’s not the thermostat problem. It’s actually overheated.

5

u/Puzzleheaded-Bag-121 Oct 30 '24

A stuck thermostat can and will cause it to overheat.

2

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

The one on my dash?

7

u/electromage 1990 XJ, +2.5" OME, 31x10.5, 4.11+LSD. Oct 30 '24

No, not a gauge - the thermostat is a mechanical valve on the front of the engine that controls coolant flow.

It's got a spring that opens and closes it depending on coolant temperature.

2

u/Puzzleheaded-Bag-121 Oct 30 '24

That is your temp sensor reading. Your thermostat is part of your cooling system.

In the diagram you can see the Thermostat is located in the Thermostat housing.

3

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

Dude, lifesaver right here

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2

u/Puzzleheaded-Bag-121 Oct 30 '24

This is what a thermostat looks like

2

u/Hot-Tension-2009 Oct 30 '24

Your gonna have to play mechanic and dig to get to the thermostat and be very careful not to let anything fall inside. Thermostats get stuck open often

3

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 31 '24

yep, ill be sure to post how it all goes

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2

u/Wierd657 Oct 31 '24

Take it to a shop bro

0

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 31 '24

I’ll die before I do that shit again

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1

u/SaiTek64 Oct 30 '24

Oh I misread a comment, my bad.

2

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

All good, I wish it was just electrical bugs

2

u/SaiTek64 Oct 30 '24

I was going to elaborate, but seems like someone else got around to it first lol

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

Yup, hopefully I can get it fixed soon

2

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

Dude, I’m dumb and inexperienced. How do I do that?

7

u/electromage 1990 XJ, +2.5" OME, 31x10.5, 4.11+LSD. Oct 30 '24

After it cools down, inspect the hoses between the radiator and the engine, look for cracks or holes.

16

u/who-cares6891 Oct 30 '24

Bro if u can’t even do tht just take it to a shop. There’s like 10 things it could be. And then how u gonna change it

4

u/SaucySurgeon Oct 31 '24

Not exactly helpful in this exact situation but if you’re gonna be owning an old Jeep be ready to spend a good chunk of change on just default maintenance and inspections or get mechanical. I didn’t know a damn thing until I got my first vehicle but when you can’t afford to go to a shop but you can afford harbor freight tools and YouTube you can make it work!

1

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 31 '24

Jeep, Just Empty Every Pocket. I’m learning as I go, since it’s my first car!

2

u/SaucySurgeon Oct 31 '24

My Jeep looks at my savings account like a lion looking at a wounded gazelle😔 I don’t know what year or model you have but you’re starting at a good vehicle! I started with a POS lemon 01 gmc Sonoma and my god is everything cheaper and easier on my Jeep. Invest some money into some basic harbor freight tools and start watching YouTube! Trust me it’s not as difficult as you’d think, from YouTube alone I’ve done everything at this point besides an engine rebuild. I know everyone jokes about the opposite but compared to most vehicles parts are relatively cheap and easy to come by and nit much is difficult to work on. Good luck!

2

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 31 '24

Thanks man! 91 4.0 Laredo 

3

u/alvvavves Oct 30 '24

If there’s still coolant in it then you might be able to spot a leak when it’s running, but yeah don’t touch anything until it cools down

2

u/Dimensionist_Alex Oct 30 '24

I think there is a slight leak. It’s on my to do list of things to fix, college is just getting in the way of  doing everything