1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport overheating in cold weather

HPOWELL0814

MEMBER
1999 JEEP CHEROKEE
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
189,000 MILES

I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. It has been running fine until the temperature started dropping outside. The last few nights it has been in the single digits and every morning when I leave for work my car starts overheating. It will jump all the way to 220 then fall back down then up again. After a few minutes it starts running bad, bogging down and started dying when I would stop. I parked it and let it set til the afternoon. I started it up and it is running fine. The first day it did this I drained the water and added anti-freeze. It ran fine that night but started acting up again the next morning. I don't see any visible leaks, only when the car overheats. The heat is also blowing cold. Not sure if this is related to the overheating but when I turn the heat on it makes an awful squeaking noise and drains the battery. Not sure what is going on. Can you help me figure out what my issue/issues are? Thanks so much for the help.

2 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

The Very 1st thing I would do is change the thermostat!

Drained the Water? How cold did it get? Was this Plain Ole Water?

If the Water Jacket froze (lack of antifreeze) It would run hot!--No coolant was circulating!

I hope you caused no damage if it froze (this is a really bad thing, (if it happened, cast iron and aluminum can crack or break)Running it hot for a while might mess it up too!

I always install my antifreeze 70/30---70% antifreeze and 30% water--this provides the maximum Cooling and Freezing Protection!

I drain my system and MIX MY 70/30 in ****--then pour it in! (You can mix it 50/50 to 70/30 Safely)

Too little antifreeze, less than 50/50 can freeze--AND anything greater than 70/30 can freeze too!

Many testers show "UNSAFE" at the bottom and at the top of their scales---the "Ball Floater Type" will say, if it floats all of the balls (too much antifreeze), it is unsafe and will freeze

No matter when it gets full---it is 70/30 completely in the engine----any left over or if you mix more to "Top it off Later"---When you are done---it will always be 70/30

A lot of other goofballs think you can just pour in a Pure Jug of antifreeze. Then fill the rest of the way with water, the mixture is perfect

WRONG!--You have no idea what your systems capacity is, even if you went to the trouble to find out. Isn't my way FOOLPROOF AND EZ?

It would work for any vehicle, and would be COMPATIBLE with your other cars!----Just pop the cap and pour the proper mix, any time any one of your vehicles needs some juice. Never guess again!

Your thoughts?

The Medic

Image (Click to make bigger)