'98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

Hi all,

I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98 Cherokee
needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped around
the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I wanted to ask
a couple of questions:

1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator crap?
2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are trustworthy?
3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer than a day
if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an older model
XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.
4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do I need to
watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?
5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2 or 3 core
if this is the case.

I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week. I'm
hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks for the
help.

-Chris-

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Give me a few days, and I will get the pages out of the 99 XJ FSM for
you, if you want...shoot me an email, if you are insterested, I can
scan it for you. As for any actual info, I don't have it right now, I
have to venture off to work.

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"Chris Cavin" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns946E5735E3A9Fccavingasproductscom@151.164. 30.94...
| Hi all,
|
| I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98
Cherokee
| needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped
around
| the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I
wanted to ask
| a couple of questions:
|
| 1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator
crap?
| 2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are
trustworthy?
| 3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer
than a day
| if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an
older model
| XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.
| 4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do
I need to
| watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?
| 5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2
or 3 core
| if this is the case.
|
| I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week.
I'm
| hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks
for the
| help.
|
| -Chris-

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Give me a few days, and I will get the pages out of the 99 XJ FSM for
you, if you want...shoot me an email, if you are insterested, I can
scan it for you. As for any actual info, I don't have it right now, I
have to venture off to work.

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"Chris Cavin" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns946E5735E3A9Fccavingasproductscom@151.164. 30.94...
| Hi all,
|
| I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98
Cherokee
| needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped
around
| the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I
wanted to ask
| a couple of questions:
|
| 1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator
crap?
| 2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are
trustworthy?
| 3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer
than a day
| if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an
older model
| XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.
| 4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do
I need to
| watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?
| 5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2
or 3 core
| if this is the case.
|
| I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week.
I'm
| hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks
for the
| help.
|
| -Chris-

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Give me a few days, and I will get the pages out of the 99 XJ FSM for
you, if you want...shoot me an email, if you are insterested, I can
scan it for you. As for any actual info, I don't have it right now, I
have to venture off to work.

--
--
Joe Pribe
NC
jpribe 'at' nc.rr.com <you know the drill
jegp 'at' hotmail.com < at is really @
---- I Love My O|||||||O TJ



"Chris Cavin" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:Xns946E5735E3A9Fccavingasproductscom@151.164. 30.94...
| Hi all,
|
| I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98
Cherokee
| needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped
around
| the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I
wanted to ask
| a couple of questions:
|
| 1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator
crap?
| 2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are
trustworthy?
| 3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer
than a day
| if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an
older model
| XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.
| 4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do
I need to
| watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?
| 5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2
or 3 core
| if this is the case.
|
| I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week.
I'm
| hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks
for the
| help.
|
| -Chris-

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:34:19 GMT, Chris Cavin <nobody@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98 Cherokee
>needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped around
>the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I wanted to ask
>a couple of questions:
>
>1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator crap?

OEM from the dealer is a two core that runs about $200... I bought a
three core all medal replacement for $165 (including shipping to my
door) from www.radiator.com.

Message-ID: <3fcbd7d9.27030928@wilhelp.com>

>2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are trustworthy?

I bought a GDI three core from www.radiator.com. Make sure you get all
the parts! They didn't include two "L" brackets fro the upper radiator
support. That was a real pisser, I started on a Saturday and had to
wait until Monday to go pick them up locally. In my case I assume it
was a fluke... I've heard nothing bad about radiator.com....

>3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer than a day
> if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an older model
> XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.

It took me about two to three hours all together, I really took my time
to make sure I did everything right though...

>4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do I need to
> watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?

Trans oil dripping onto your driveway! Make sure you use "plumbers
tape" (not sure what it is really called) on the upper trans line mount.
I didn't and it leaked... thankfully my next door neighbor had some for
me.

>5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2 or 3 core
> if this is the case.

OEM is two core.

>I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week. I'm
>hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks for the
>help.

If you have a basic knowledge of your Jeep you'll be fine.... heck
you've done the water pump so you should have no problem with the
radiator. It was my first "big" job and it has gone well... Good luck!


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:34:19 GMT, Chris Cavin <nobody@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98 Cherokee
>needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped around
>the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I wanted to ask
>a couple of questions:
>
>1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator crap?

OEM from the dealer is a two core that runs about $200... I bought a
three core all medal replacement for $165 (including shipping to my
door) from www.radiator.com.

Message-ID: <3fcbd7d9.27030928@wilhelp.com>

>2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are trustworthy?

I bought a GDI three core from www.radiator.com. Make sure you get all
the parts! They didn't include two "L" brackets fro the upper radiator
support. That was a real pisser, I started on a Saturday and had to
wait until Monday to go pick them up locally. In my case I assume it
was a fluke... I've heard nothing bad about radiator.com....

>3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer than a day
> if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an older model
> XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.

It took me about two to three hours all together, I really took my time
to make sure I did everything right though...

>4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do I need to
> watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?

Trans oil dripping onto your driveway! Make sure you use "plumbers
tape" (not sure what it is really called) on the upper trans line mount.
I didn't and it leaked... thankfully my next door neighbor had some for
me.

>5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2 or 3 core
> if this is the case.

OEM is two core.

>I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week. I'm
>hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks for the
>help.

If you have a basic knowledge of your Jeep you'll be fine.... heck
you've done the water pump so you should have no problem with the
radiator. It was my first "big" job and it has gone well... Good luck!


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:34:19 GMT, Chris Cavin <nobody@nowhere.com>
wrote:

>Hi all,
>
>I discovered over the weekend that the radiator on my wife's '98 Cherokee
>needs to be replaced. Nearly every place where the core is crimped around
>the tank has split, though only one spot is leaking so far. I wanted to ask
>a couple of questions:
>
>1) Should I stick with an OEM replacement, or is the OEM radiator crap?

OEM from the dealer is a two core that runs about $200... I bought a
three core all medal replacement for $165 (including shipping to my
door) from www.radiator.com.

Message-ID: <3fcbd7d9.27030928@wilhelp.com>

>2) If the answer to 1) is "crap," which aftermarket brands are trustworthy?

I bought a GDI three core from www.radiator.com. Make sure you get all
the parts! They didn't include two "L" brackets fro the upper radiator
support. That was a real pisser, I started on a Saturday and had to
wait until Monday to go pick them up locally. In my case I assume it
was a fluke... I've heard nothing bad about radiator.com....

>3) Is this an at-home project? Should I expect it to take longer than a day
> if I attempt it myself? I've replaced three water pumps on an older model
> XJ previously, so I'm reasonably competent.

It took me about two to three hours all together, I really took my time
to make sure I did everything right though...

>4) It's an auto transmission with the transmission cooler. What do I need to
> watch out for as far as the trans-cooler?

Trans oil dripping onto your driveway! Make sure you use "plumbers
tape" (not sure what it is really called) on the upper trans line mount.
I didn't and it leaked... thankfully my next door neighbor had some for
me.

>5) Is the OEM radiator a single core? I'll probably upgrade to a 2 or 3 core
> if this is the case.

OEM is two core.

>I've put some epoxy on the leak for now so we're good for the week. I'm
>hoping to spend the coming Saturday doing the replacement. Thanks for the
>help.

If you have a basic knowledge of your Jeep you'll be fine.... heck
you've done the water pump so you should have no problem with the
radiator. It was my first "big" job and it has gone well... Good luck!


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:51:48 GMT, "Joseph P" <jpribe@nc.rr.com> wrote:

>Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
>to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Speaking of water pumps... what are the signs of them going bad or not
working as well as they should?

My '98 XJ does not over heat and everything works fine however it
appears that in traffic the temp tends to rise faster than it did before
and when the electric fan turns on it cools back to normal fast.

Call me paranoid but it just seems that at idle the temp rises faster
than it used to... I replaced the thermostat about a year ago, now it
has a 3 core radiator instead of the original 2 core and the coolant is
fresh.

Am I being paranoid or could this be a sign of a water pump not working
as good as it should be?


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:51:48 GMT, "Joseph P" <jpribe@nc.rr.com> wrote:

>Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
>to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Speaking of water pumps... what are the signs of them going bad or not
working as well as they should?

My '98 XJ does not over heat and everything works fine however it
appears that in traffic the temp tends to rise faster than it did before
and when the electric fan turns on it cools back to normal fast.

Call me paranoid but it just seems that at idle the temp rises faster
than it used to... I replaced the thermostat about a year ago, now it
has a 3 core radiator instead of the original 2 core and the coolant is
fresh.

Am I being paranoid or could this be a sign of a water pump not working
as good as it should be?


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Re: '98 XJ Radiator Replacement
 

On Mon, 12 Jan 2004 14:51:48 GMT, "Joseph P" <jpribe@nc.rr.com> wrote:

>Since when were water pumps a sign of competency???? j/k man, I have
>to deal with a 99 XJ myself....

Speaking of water pumps... what are the signs of them going bad or not
working as well as they should?

My '98 XJ does not over heat and everything works fine however it
appears that in traffic the temp tends to rise faster than it did before
and when the electric fan turns on it cools back to normal fast.

Call me paranoid but it just seems that at idle the temp rises faster
than it used to... I replaced the thermostat about a year ago, now it
has a 3 core radiator instead of the original 2 core and the coolant is
fresh.

Am I being paranoid or could this be a sign of a water pump not working
as good as it should be?


--
Taylor

'89 Audi 200
'03 Audi S6 Avant
'98 Jeep Cherokee Sport