1996 XJ w/ 102 original miles. Coolant temp usually runs 190-210 at it's hottest when driving except today I was stuck sitting still in traffic for 5-10min after getting off the highway and watched the needle creep up to approx 225, which had me a little worried. As soon as I started rolling again it dropped to 210.

Thoughts? Is this high for these vehicles?

 

Ever replace the fan clutch? Sounds like you're not getting adequate airflow when stopped.

 

Nope, it's new to me (only had it 2 weeks) but i'll check the fan clutch to make sure it's kicking on like it's supposed to when stopped. Thx!

 

You will find videos and instructional posts telling you that you can detect a failing fan clutch by spinning it with your hand. That test is not reliable. You can have a fan clutch pass the spin test and still not be working correctly.

The only way to reliably test the fan clutch is to remove it, turn the spring 180° to lock the clutch, put it back on the vehicle and run it to see if the overheating problem goes away. If it does, then you have to take it off again and replace it, which is silly. So if you're taking it off anyway, you might as well just replace it instead, since a new fan clutch only costs $35 to $40.

The other thing you might check is to see if your electric fan is turning the right direction. Apparently there are some aftermarket electric fans floating around that are wired up backwards, so that when they kick on they blow hot air from under the hood back through the radiator in the opposite direction from the engine fan. It should be turning so that it's pulling air through the radiator front to back. If you have one of these derpy idiot fans, you can just swap the leads around to fix it.

 

You need to check the cooling system anyway and all fluid levels and conditions since it's new to you.

I would just replace the fan clutch "cuz".

 

225 for a little while has not damaged your engine, but you need to fix it. You've gotten good advice, especially the "replace it just cuz".

Also check to see if your electric fan is kicking on. It should come on at 218.

 

Yup. My new-to-me Cherokee's fan clutch passed the "spin test" with flying colors, but it wasn't until I replaced it that I realized it wasn't ever spinning faster than what you get at idle. The electric fan was doing all the work when sitting in traffic.

 

Yup. Normal.