Have a 10 year old jeep cherokee. 54K miles. was used very low mileage (back and forth to train) until about 1 year ago. Now doing 100 miles / day. Intermittent high temperature, worsening now with hotter weather and bad traffic. thermostat already placed, next recom is to replace radiator. cannot afford to keep putting money into the car. any suggestions. is radiator the best approach ?
Could also be the sensor itself, make sure the reading is correct
Has the radiator cap been checked or replaced? If the cap is not holding sufficient pressure, overheating may occur. It’s cheap enough to replace regardless.
Ed B.
Do electric fans come on when it gets hot or you turn on AC?
Does the coolant level remain where it’s supposed to be?
When was the last time it had a good flush of cooling system? Could be some blockage in there that you may be able to clean out with a flush. Water pump may not be circulating coolant as well as it should be.
How high does temp get, may not be a real problem, might be normal.
Could you define “high temperature?” How about worsening? Could you describe what you are observing to indicate it is worsening? Why do you think it is the radiator?
Under what conditions does it do something that appears to indicate it is overheating?
How about regular maintenance? When was the last time the plugs and wires replaced? How about the oil filter and oil … air filter?
Have you owned it for all ten years of its life?
Your Money May Be Better Spent On A Proper Diagnosis Rather Than To Just Replace Parts One After Another That Are Recommended, But Possibly Won’t Fix A Thing.
Did you purge air from the cooling system when you installed the thermostat ?
Who made the radiator recommendation ?
Is the Jeep consuming coolant ?
I’d have a good diagnostic mechanic check it over. If he / she feels that the cooling system should be pressure tested, that would be a good starting point.
You can use the money saved on random parts and put it toward fixing exactly what’s wrong with it.
CSA
There are 2 fans, one is on when idling, I’m told this is normal on 200 Jeep Cherokee and the other comes on at certain road conditions ?
Coolant level has been tested and appears to be normal.
Coolant has been flushed. Am told there is quite a bit of ‘rust’ from years of limited use that cannot be completely elimninated through the flushing done to date.
Temp has been occasionally and most recently getting to 'orange’zone, most recently in heavy traffic in hot weather during 50 mile commute each way. Hence the reason for concern.
Temp has been occasionally and most recently getting to high 'orange’zone, most recently in heavy traffic in hot weather during 50 mile commute each way. Hence the reason for concern. I am told by mechanic that having replaced the thermostat, he is not sure but the only further thing he can attribute is the radiator but is not certain this will solve the issue but doesn’t know what else could be wrong.
Regular oil changes every 3000 miles. Tune-up has been a while. Have been deferring all but necessary costs (besides new brakes, regular oil change) as cannot afford to put so much money into the car.
Have owned for all ten years. First 9 years or so limited use back and forther to train station only (3 miles r/t). Last year 100 miles r/t commute.
Yes, mechanic says all new coolant with the thermostat.
Mechanic made the radiator recommendation but admitted he was not sure this would solve the issue, but the only other thing he would recommend. I believe he is so honest and is not trying for additional work (based on past experience past 2 years) but is not sure what else could be the issue.
Coolant has not decreased.
I suspect the radiator, thermostat or hose, but there is no way from here to check that out. I suggest finding a local independent mechanic. Avoid dealers and don’t even consider a fast lube place.
Tune-up has been a while. Have been deferring all but necessary costs (besides new brakes, regular oil change) as cannot afford to put so much money into the car.
Deferring regular maintenance is the most expensive thing you can do for a car. BTW if you want to save a few dollars, you don’t need 3,000 mile oil changes under normal conditions. It has been a long time now since cars and oils were improved, eliminating that short oil change.
A “quickie” test to determing possible radiator obstruction is too run your hand over a heated up radiator core (engine off and cooling fans stopped) to check for temp. differnces. You are looking for cooler areas, suggesting some blockage.
You might try taking a garden hose with a nozzle and squirting the water through the radiator from under the hood and out the front. Sometimes radiator fins get plugged with bugs and can’t dissipate the heat.