Fan Clutch/Running Hot

[edmaude]

My 96 has 83k on it and runs great. I have had three jeeps over the years an 89 XJ, 99 TJ and now the 96 XJ. All of them liked to run around 210 with occasional jumps into the 220 markm then the electric fan kicks in as it should

Lately I have been noticing that the temps will go over 210 when driving especially in hilly areas with a load. I have an override in for the electric fan and this helps keep the temp close to 210 when it is running.

My main questions is that I think the mechanical clutch fan might be going bad. At idle the temp get close to 220 all the time unless I hit the override on the aux fan. Is this the norm? The fan clutch does has some resisitance when the engine is hot so I assumed that it still works.

What should I do? Would a good coolant flush and replacement make things better?

[thinmints]

Originally Posted by edmaude

My 96 has 83k on it and runs great. I have had three jeeps over the years an 89 XJ, 99 TJ and now the 96 XJ. All of them liked to run around 210 with occasional jumps into the 220 markm then the electric fan kicks in as it should


What should I do? Would a good coolant flush and replacement make things better?

That's Low miles for a 96 my 96 has almost 145000 as for your problem
i would try a flush but really you may need to replace the radiator, mine was doing the same thing but when i would be at a light it would creep near the red line with the fan going..... i noticed i was losing fluid slowly over time........... always would get a wiff of antifreeze when i would walk in front of it, i decided to replace the radiator ($130.00 at partsAmerica) took about an hour to replace and when i was looking over the old one i noticed a section of the fins were so britle that they fell right out... i now run about 200 and thats with the AC running with it off it is under 200... use good antifreeze and all should be well for you and your XJ... hope this helps

[chili]

Originally Posted by thinmints

That's Low miles for a 96 my 96 has almost 145000 as for your problem
i would try a flush but really you may need to replace the radiator, mine was doing the same thing but when i would be at a light it would creep near the red line with the fan going..... i noticed i was losing fluid slowly over time........... always would get a wiff of antifreeze when i would walk in front of it, i decided to replace the radiator ($130.00 at partsAmerica) took about an hour to replace and when i was looking over the old one i noticed a section of the fins were so britle that they fell right out... i now run about 200 and thats with the AC running with it off it is under 200... use good antifreeze and all should be well for you and your XJ... hope this helps

How can you tell when your mechanical fan is not functioning properly (besides watchign the temp gauge climb ) ? is there a rule of thumb for testing it ?

Thanks
Chili

[chili]

Originally Posted by chili

How can you tell when your mechanical fan is not functioning properly (besides watchign the temp gauge climb ) ? is there a rule of thumb for testing it ?

Thanks
Chili

Ok i replaced my fan clutch.....seems to be pushing more air now.....but.....having a terrible problem with the friggin closed cooling system....the cap does not seem to be able to hold pressure (and yes i have burped the system several times and it still wants to bubble over) guess i need to head to the stealership...any clue what price range a new cap will run ? also i think i read someplace that the "new" cap will not fit the old pressure bottle is that true ? if so looks like i need a new bottle too

any help would be appreciated