[transam4life]

So some background...I have a 1988 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L w/ 252,000 miles. It has been running great up until today. I started the car up this morning and let it idle for about 20 minutes to warm up as it was very cold. When I got in the car and started to drive I noticed steam coming from under the hood. I pulled over and checked under the hook and noticed that coolant was shooting out of somewhere and my engine was covered in coolant. I was in a rush for work so i didn't have a chance to take a good look, but it seemed like it was either a hose shooting it out or the silver metal piece I have pointed at with the yellow area the had some sort of crack.

What exactly is this metal piece in the pic below? It has a few coolant hoses comming out of it. Is it something that can be replaced?



This isn't my exact engine...it's the best pic I could find of the 4.0l showing the metal piece I was talking about.

[plowingcherokee]

That is you thermostate housing. I have a friend that had that crack on them. Had to get another one from the Junkyard. Check the clamp to make sure the hose is tight.

[transam4life]

How easy is the housing to replace? Is the thermostat on the inside of that piece?

[transam4life]

Also...should the thermostat be replaced along with the housing?

[plowingcherokee]

The housing is held on by 2 bolt. Take the coolant lines off, loosen the bolts and pull straight out (toward the front of Jeep). The thermostat is just inside. You could replace the thermostat if you want to but not required if you heat is working right. Buy a new gasket from autoparts for less than a buck. Bolt on new housing and fill with antifreeze. Real easy.

[RBxj]

Replace the housing if it is bad and not just a loose or broken hose, I got a new one for my 90 at autozone for around 20.00, replace the thermostat (yes it's inside the housing), make sure you get the 190*-195* temp range, I used a 180* and it runs like crap on cold nights.

[4x4grey88]

Add more water and find out exactly where the leak is coming from. If it is a hose -- easy fix.

T-stat housing is held on with two bolts. Make sure that when you re-install the new one that you tighten them down evenly (so not to crack the new one), and while you are at it change the t-stat too.

I use to own a 88 Cherokee and replaced the whole radiator system with a 1992 system because the 88s have a closed system.

[transam4life]

Why is having a closed system bad?

Also how do I know that my problem isnt being caused by a bad water pump?

What is the best way to see where a leak is coming from? Just filling the radiator with coolant and watching everything as the engine runs?

Sorry for all the "stupid" questions, I have a Trans Am as my primary car...so I know very little about my Cherokee. Still an awesome vehicle. ****ty part was today it snowed 4 inches so I had to drive my Trans Am to work.

[plowingcherokee]

Yes, the best way it find the leak is fill and watch for the leak. I have never seen coolant shooting out when it is the water pump.

[transam4life]

Guys...thanks for all the help. I willl take a much closer look tomorrow and report back as to what I find.

But before I go I have two more questions...

1.) Do you guys think it would be safe to drive the 10-15 minutes to get it back home if I refill it with anitfreeze? I would watch to make sure it wouldn't overheat on the way home...should I be ok?

2.) How do I know when the coolant level is full. I am not sure exactly how much fluid I lost today...should I add new antifreeze to the radiator directly or to the plastic reservoir tank? How will I know when it is all the way full?

[4x4grey88]

Originally Posted by transam4life

Guys...thanks for all the help. I will take a much closer look tomorrow and report back as to what I find.

But before I go I have two more questions...

1.) Do you guys think it would be safe to drive the 10-15 minutes to get it back home if I refill it with antifreeze? I would watch to make sure it wouldn't overheat on the way home...should I be ok?

2.) How do I know when the coolant level is full. I am not sure exactly how much fluid I lost today...should I add new antifreeze to the radiator directly or to the plastic reservoir tank? How will I know when it is all the way full?

You should be okay driving short distances if you are watching the temp gauge. Make sure to fill up the resevour all the way up.

[RBxj]

Becareful if your temp gauge seems not to react right, no/low coolant can cause a temp gauge to read 0 or low when it is not immersed in coolant.