Jeep Grand Cherokee Overheating issues

[Sage]

Hey guys, (new to the forum)

First off Eric The Car guy is awesome!! I have a 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 Limited. My jeep temp is very fluctuate. What I mean is that it will stay at the recommended 210 degrees for a while, but while going up an incline for a good amount of time it will go up to about 225ish. Let my foot off the gas for a little and back to 210 she goes, sometimes even lower, 200-205. I replaced my thermostat and bled the system. Also changed radiator cap. Now the thermostat i got was a cheap ass one from autozone. From what I have read cheap thermostats can cause this to happen. Just trying to figure out if thats my solution? I have coolant, no leaks (water pump included), no noises, have yet to pressure test it though (maybe thats it) but i highly doubt it. Faulty thermostat my issue?

Attachments:

• jeep.jpg

Topic

[college man]

It could be the cheap t-stat. did you have problems before?
check out this helpful link.

http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats

I also moved you to the correct spot. 😉

[Bill]

Your problem could be a bad thermostat but if I read you correctly changing the stat made no difference. Not likely you have 2 thermostats that behave the same.

I would make sure the fan clutch is hooking up with a hot engine and that the pusher fan (if equipped) in front of the AC condenser is working with the AC on.

Those engines are known for leaking head gaskets so you might want to check that out also.

[george gonzalez]

You may have a cooling system issue, like air in the system, or maybe your radiator is clogged. If it’s the original radiator it may be getting marginal. Also chck the AC condenser in front of the radiator, if it has had a lot of insect strikes or bent fins that may be blocking the cooling air.

[EricTheCarGuy]

If you know the thermostat is good now and you still have an issue, you might look to airflow. Perhaps your fan is not pulling enough through the radiator or your radiator has a blockage or partial blockage. I’m talking about debris here, not stuff clogging up the system. Although restrictions in the system can also cause issues. In addition to that your water pump might not be moving enough fluid through the system. The only way to know that would be to remove and inspect it however. It doesn’t seem like you have a severe overheat, just a slight one. That being said, look for the simple stuff before you start taking things apart.

Keep us posted.

[Sage]

Ok, hydraulic fan is def kicking in whenever it gets to the higher temperatures. I still have full coolant in rad, overflow, and whenever i take the bleed screw out coolant is right on the top of there too. If my rad was clogged wouldn’t it do this all the time and not just on an incline? A strange thing i noticed recently was that my rad cap was not hot whatsoever. After a 1hr long trip. That doesn’t seem right to me. At times, i do notice a rather annoying squeaking noise while driving. Maybe my water pump is making the noise. It sure does sound like a pulley. Being that a pump is $40 and easy to do. I will start with that. Btw, took out entire dash, and replaced heater core all by my lonesome! What a job that was. But i felt proud being that i am a 22yr old software technician. Amazing heat now just in time for winter. Speaking of head gasket probs. No white smoke in tailpipe, no milky/creamy oil on dip stick or oil cap so I think im good on that.

[Author]

Replies