1993 radiator replacement

[tennjed]

Folks

I have a 93 cherokee with 4.0 engine, automatic trans,and air conditioning. It looks like I will be replacing the radiator.

I have replaced radiators in an 89 ford truck, and an older scout. My questions are these:

1. Is radiator.com a good source for replacement radiators? Do their products bolt right in or do they require "modifications?"

2. In general terms, is replacing a radiator in a cherokee a pretty much straight forward job that can be done with regular hand tools? Or, are there special considerations.

Thanks for any help.

Wayne

[b1gfella]

I did the same job on my 94 and got my radiator from radiators.com. straight swap it bolts right in.

Alot of the manuals say you do not have to remove the manual fan but your better off pulling it out...it provides *alot* more room and there is less chance of hosing the fins on a new radiator...if you do not remove it the fit is very very tight.

Oh and go for the 3 core radiator, your Jeep will thank you...the stock one just barely does the job. :-)

When I had to pull mine I went ahead and replaced all the hoses, the fan cluth, the thermostat, and the water pump. I figured since I was in there and the space was free and system drained I might as well spend the extra money then instead of waiting until i put it all back together to find another leak and have to tear it all back apart...I think I spent about a hundred bucks more for the hoses, water pump, and fan clutch. My XJ runs 10 degrees cooler now and the temp guage actually moves down when I am on the highway as opposed to before when it would run up to temp and stay pegged no matter what...

[tgrudzin]

Have a 97 Cheerokee and disagree with removing the manual fan. After I finally got the radiator out, I reassembled the manual fan, then put the radiator back in. It was much easier.

As my water pump, hoses, and thermosat were replaced only 20K ago, by a garage, ( we tow and it started leaking the day before a 600 mile tow trip) I didn't have to change those, but if your doing the work, and you have the space already open, change as much of the cooling system as you can. Including the belts. Then you might just as well change the oil, plugs, wires and all filters and you be able to just worry and washing and waxing for the next couple of years.

Ted

[tennjed]

Ted and John

Thanks for the advise. I have the radiator out now and will be ordering a new one in the morning.

When I removed the radiator I noted that one of the P.Os had disconnected the electric fan. As my jeed does not have a temperature gage, but rather just the dummy light, I have not been able to monitor temperature other than to note that the light has not come on since I bought the thing a couple of days ago.

Is an operating electric fan critical to the health of this engine? If the fan has been disconnected for a considerable period of time is it likely that it has caused excess engine wear?

Thanks for your insight.

Wayne

[tgrudzin]

If you are going to be in heavy traffic or stop and go, then differntly 'yes'. What is the cost? Can you afford the cost? An older Chevy I had had only an idiot light. The temperature, while towing, went over 230 and the light still didn't come on. If you can find the place to put a temperature gauge, ( I mean finding a place to add the sensor in the engine without removing another sensor) then try an do so.

I am related to an engineer and engineer really don't put in un-necessary items in cars. In additional to the added cost of the item, there is the whole engineering aspect of design, placement, bringing in electricial to run the device.

Ted

[b1gfella]

I am an Engineer and it I believe all vehicles need temp and oil pressure guages...idiot lights do not come on until your engine is either overheated or you have no oil pressure. Both of which are very very bad...if your interested you can get a three gauage cluster pretty cheap at a local auto parts store and installation is not a huge job...couple hours of work.

I bought my XJ with the oil and temp gaugae package from Jeep and it saved my butt more than once. I know it saved my engine from overheating when my water pump decided it was done and I was going 45 ready to merge into 65mph traffic...I was able to get off the road and turn the vehicle off in time not to overheat the engine enough to cause damage.

As for the electric fan, with the stock cooling system and radiator size it is a must have. With a bigger radiator (3core) mine comes on only in heavy driving situations. With the stock system it ran *alot*. Either way you'll want to get it fixed...check the local salvage yards too, there seems to be alot of XJ's going in and most people don't want to bother the 4.0 in-line six so most of the parts like that electric fan would be there for the taking...

[tennjed]

Thanks again.

Strangely enough, I am unable to find the connector and associated wiring that connects the electric fan to the wiring system. I do not know if it has been removed or if it is just tucked away somewhere. from what physical location in the wiring harness does the wiring that goes to the electric fan originate?

Where is the best place to install a temperature sensor for a temperature gauge? I have installed a few oil pressure gauges in the past but never a temperature guage.

I am ordering my 3 core radiator in the morning.

Is it worth paying the extra $20 for the lifetime warranty. I know that $20 bucks isn't much but it is something. Do these radiators have a history of early failure?

Thanks for any help.

Wayne

[b1gfella]

The electric fan on my 94 hooks into the wiring harness on the drivers side front by the air box. Here are a couple of pictures. The first shows the overall and the second is a closeup of the harness entry point.


http://www.electra225.com/jeep/harness1.jpg

http://www.electra225.com/jeep/harness2.jpg

[tennjed]

Thanks John

I was able to find it.

Wayne

[tgrudzin]

I have never had an overheating problem, and luckly my jeep has gauges, but I don't recall if my electric fan has ever turned on. Is there a way to test the electric fans to see if it does work properly?

Ted

[b1gfella]

Hi Ted,

If your XJ has Air Conditioning, turn it on and the electric fan should also come on. If it does not come on then you could have a faulty relay or fan. The relay is located in the Power Distribution Block in the engine bay.

[tennjed]

Well I received my new three core radiator, actually my second three core radiator, ( the first was damaged) and installed it this afternoon. All went well and I am looking forward to a good time with the cherokee. I am greatful for the advise on trying the auxillary fan by turning on the AC. It works fine.

Now I am considering a gage cluster for the thing as it has no gages but rather just idiot lights. Any recommendations on which to purchase?

Best Regards

Wayne

[tgrudzin]

Electric fans did not come on when the AC was switch on. However, the AC is leaked out of freon so perhaps the compressor is not turning on? Also, the Jeep is a Cherokee, would that electric fan work the same way.

Thanks,

Ted

[b1gfella]

The shop manual says that fan will come on when you turn on the AC...if it does not come on then something is amiss...I doubt the AC compressor has anything to do with that fan coming on or off...my AC has been dead for years and my fan will still come on...