Hey guys, just bought my 2nd Cherokee, 98 Classic that had 180K. Took it out for a shake down run on 75 degree day and sure enough my temps started spiking. By spiking, I mean I'm watching the temp gauge the whole time, figuring overheating will be a problem and its holding about 210. Then all of a sudden it rapidly swung over to the red 260. I kept driving a little bit, watching the gauge, turned the AC off and slowly (within 30 seconds) it moves back to the 210. It did this once more on the trip, but it would do it at odd times. For example, later I'm going up an 8% grade at about 25 miles per hour, and nothing, it was fine. It was running hot, but not spiking.

Where should I start? Does the spiking indicate anything?

Also, O' Reilly's auto parts has a 3 core radiator with lifetime warranty for $200 right now, anyone have some experience with these?

 

Perfect time to replace the rad, water pump, t-stat, fan clutch, rad cap, hoses and give it a good flushing. Do it all at once and only have to drain/refill coolant once. Git 'er done.....it's fixin' to get really hot outside....75 will feel like the dead of winter. LOL

 

Kind of what I was thinking. One problem I know I have, the shroud is missing a good chunk up top. I would replace it, but I'm not sure which way I want to go as far as cooling, I found a Taurus fan at the JY, but my electrical skills are crap and I'm still researching it.

Do people remove both fans when doing the Taurus fan swap? There's no way I could get both electric fans in there.

 

Definitely need an intact shroud with stock fans. The shroud would be a "drop-in" install vs non-stock fan will be more complicated....the mounting and electrical hook-up. Taurus fan is a stand alone unit as it's a 16" fan mounted to a 11" tall rad. Even a Taurus fan will not compensate for old, weak, plugged cooling system components and draws major amps from what I've read..

 

I cant find my link anymore. I removed the mech fan, punched out the rod and bearing for the fan, cut the bracket and put the taurus fan next to the Aux fan. Yes I have both fans. Wiring isnt that bad once you get into it, I basically jumped into it and learned.

Pretty simple and heres a quick breakdown: take accessory power from interior fuse panel, switch, relay, ground. Then power distribution center (next to battery, actually what the batter bolts to other than the starter), fuse, relay, fan, ground. Multiple that for High, I use a 3 way switch; on-off-on. I have 30A/30A relay for low with a 50A/30A relay for high. I actually use a thermo controller from advance or autozone on its own switch to control the fans so i dont have to all the time, i just kill them for water and deep mud crossings

 

Some new pics would be sweet.

 

I can try, jeep got broken into and took my bag with my camera box so all i have is the camera, no way to charge it. My phone is a brick with like 2 mp camera

 

Just when u can.

 

What is the part # for the O'reilly 3 row rad?

 

I might go out and buy a charger today!!! going to some car shows this weekend...

To OP: It sounds to me like you need to open your system, flush out the old coolant, pull the rad to see if its plugged, flush the block and heater core, test the mech fan. replace the water pump and thermostat since your already there.

 

I would like to seem some pictures if you can as well. Mayble I'll take a picture of my Taurus fan, it might not be the right one, but it sure doesn't look like the it would even come close to fitting without cutting up the fan shroud to make it fit.

 

yea you have to trim the plastic housing to fit.

 

That makes more sense, I went out and did some measuring tonight and it won't fit without some trimming