mtyson

I have done a coolant flush (with cleaner) and put in a new radiator...

Temp hovers around 200-205, usually... but the engine compartment gets HOT... you can smell the heated metal and hood is over-hot to touch... car just FEELs hot.

Any suggestions for improving cooling?

(BTW: I noticed when changing CPS that there is a good sized dent in the exhaust pipe, the section before the cat conv, up closer by the CPS, in that area, has a pretty big ding in it... could that effect cooling by backing up exhaust???)

1997 cherokee 4x4 4.0 6cyl awd

fijicorey25

Welcome to having a 4.0 XJ! 200-205 is normal. The thermostat stock is 195.

Are you getting that reading from the gauge? If so, verify that with an IR gun or OBDII reader.

XJlimitedx99

Don't worry about the hot under hood temps. Mine hood can also get scalding hot. I've had people comment on it before but it has never overheated so no worries. Just don't put your beer on the hood. Improving your engine cooling system would not likely lessen your under hood temps. Many people install hood vents.

The dent in your downpipe came from the factory like that. There's been an ongoing debate about why it was put there. Some say its there for driveshaft clearance and others say it is to warm up the O2 sensors and catalytic converter faster for emissions reasons.

mtyson

Haha, I thought maybe the dent was by design, but dismissed that as wishful thinking...

Maybe it was put there as a conversation piece for DIYers

I noticed there is another radiator-like piece infront of the radiator itself... what is that? Does that need replacing?

fb97xj1

Do you have a/c? If so, that extra radiator is the a/c condensor. Follow the lines. Unless it was damaged in an accident there is no need to mess with it. And the XJ do get pretty toasty under the hood. Some cut holes in the hood for this very reason.

mtyson

I notice somebody has put tape around the threads where the temp sensor (I think that is what it is called) goes into the thermostat housing.

Could that mess with accuracy?

fb97xj1

Its there to seal the threads so it doesnt leak. Its probably teflon. As long as the business end of the sensor is in direct contact with the coolant, and not covered up by the tape, its not an issue

You said youre running at 200-205. Last time i checked codes for my 97, scanner said the temp was 197-203 IIRC. The gauge was just under 210. No worries.

Svhanc

I removed the rubber seal on the back side of the hood to give a little more escape area for hot air. It might have helped a little.
It is a hot engine.

cruiser54

Directly from my buddy at JeepTech:

The "crush" in the head pipe was to get the catalytic converter hotter and working faster for emissions.

Psssst. Go look where the exhaust pipe goes over the crossmember also...........

alpine.adrenaline

Your under-hood temps, especially if you just smell it, are not representative of your engine temp. Veritfy with an IR thermometer but you probably have nothing to worry about. Hood vents will help alleviate that trapped air. You can also try Water Wetter- about half the reviews I heard are that it's snake oil, others swear by it.

BrawnyDog

In your opinion does ventilating the hood offer any advantage?

JD Cravin

when I installed my header, it came with a new and undented down pipe.

My front drive shaft installed the factory crush, dent, ding in the exact same area for me. Lol

IMO it was put there for clearance under maximum flex because that's exactly what happened.

cruiser54

Fact is, they coulda routed it without the "dent" and there would be no driveshaft interference. All of my XJs, lifted or not have custom headpipes with no interference.

cruiser54

It makes you feel better.....

CurrySoSpicy

My dad is always like, your Jeep stinks! I'm like, it's an old Jeep, get over it!