help with radiator

xjhd4me · 09-17-2007, 05:45 PM

well my radiator is on it's way out. When you first start the jeep after sitting all night it starts to build up pressure and then begins to leak, once the thermostat opens or it reaches 16 lbs.( i don't know which) and looses a little pressure it will not leak any more. I know for sure it is the radiator because i can see it shooting out of the lower corner near the passenger headlight. Before anyone asks or suggests it is not the petcock and is definetely not any other part of the cooling system because i checked it all out and have changed the heater tube, water pump, thermostat and hoses within the last two months. My real question is what years will the radiators interchange with one another? On one of the sites i checked for a new one they listed them from 84-89 90-97 and 98-01. i just figured i would take a look at the junkyard before i buy a brand new one. i know that the auto and manual are interchangable already just need some help with the years....thanks guys

dyna · 09-17-2007, 05:59 PM

Boy buying a used radiator from a wreckin yard probably would iffy at best. A new one shoulden be but $150 or so and the yards typically get 50% of new, just wouldent be worth the trouble swappin for another used one Id think.

jeepsrgood4u · 09-17-2007, 06:22 PM

A bottle or two of stop leak, couple bucks. Leaks stopped, priceless.
I went the cheap back woods way and it did the trick just fine.
Or you can get the solder out and fill the hole, I had a real fun time along the interstate doing this once.

Goldenknob · 09-17-2007, 06:33 PM

the only thing bad about stock radiators is that the ends are plastic... at least mine was...

when you buy a new one you can get a full metal one for less than 140.00 that would be a 2 core, vs factory 1 core. even a 3 core cost less than 180.00.

http://www.radiatorbarn.com/s7.asp?ac=Y&year=1997&make=JEEP&model=CHEROKEE&sub model=ALL+MODELS&engine_size=L6%2C4.0L%2C242ci

pgdyk · 09-17-2007, 07:27 PM

Stop leak is trash, imagine what all those beads and metal crap is doing to your water pump. Just go buy a new radiator and you wont be dis-satisfied. Some have a lifetime warranty. Look into those.

09-17-2007, 05:59 PM	#2
dyna Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 840 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Boy buying a used radiator from a wreckin yard probably would iffy at best. A new one shoulden be but $150 or so and the yards typically get 50% of new, just wouldent be worth the trouble swappin for another used one Id think.