Angry Chipmunk...

[Infidel Edition]

So I ordered a new belt and water pump since it sounded like an occasional angry chipmonk... specially when it would rain.
I figured it was a bad belt. And on the off chance it was the water pump... figured I'd just swap it too.
Gates belt and all metal water pump $25 + shipping.

Pulling everything g apart and thinking I should have looked at a high flow thermostat too.
Got the steering pump unbolted... and then discovered the lower rad hose felt like a warm gummy worm!
$15.99 @ OReilly...
Angry chip monk is gone.
And I'd swear it is idling more even now.
...or its like when a little kid gets new shoes and thinks he's now faster!

Add to the list: change out hoses.
?? Do they have police car grade hoses ??
That's what I had on my K5. Lasted forever and then some

[bluedragon436]

Glad to hear the angry chipmunks have moved out! LOL.. Never heard of any heavy grade radiator hoses for the XJ... but would be interested if there is some!!

[Paddletrucker]

I use the professional grade blue silicone hoses on my semi. AWESOME stuff! It's a little more expensive, though. What's more expensive for me, however, is roadside repairs. Even the ones I do myself cost me down time, so I do what I can to avoid them.

I've not replaced one single hose since I've switched to the blue silicone hoses. I've got about 1.2 million miles on those hoses and they're as good as new. What's even better is that they don't stick to the metal fittings. Loosen the clamp and the slide right off. No more prying and shoving with a screwdriver and jabbing yourself. Water pumps, oil coolers, radiators, etc. are far easier to change out of my semi now because of those hoses. I wouldn't consider going back to the old black rubber ones again!

When I replaced the ones on my pickup I did the blue silicone and I'll do the same when I do my Jeep. Check them out and see what you think.

[Brasscatz]

I use the professional grade blue silicone hoses on my semi. AWESOME stuff! It's a little more expensive, though. What's more expensive for me, however, is roadside repairs. Even the ones I do myself cost me down time, so I do what I can to avoid them.

I've not replaced one single hose since I've switched to the blue silicone hoses. I've got about 1.2 million miles on those hoses and they're as good as new. What's even better is that they don't stick to the metal fittings. Loosen the clamp and the slide right off. No more prying and shoving with a screwdriver and jabbing yourself. Water pumps, oil coolers, radiators, etc. are far easier to change out of my semi now because of those hoses. I wouldn't consider going back to the old black rubber ones again!

When I replaced the ones on my pickup I did the blue silicone and I'll do the same when I do my Jeep. Check them out and see what you think.


I don't think I've ever heard of those... I'm interested!

[Paddletrucker]

I don't think I've ever heard of those... I'm interested!

They are used on lots of commercial vehicles and in racing. As I said, I wouldn't even think of going back to black rubber.

Here's the first thing that comes up with a Google search.

http://www.hps-siliconehoses.com/hps-silicone-hose-silicon-hoses.html

I get mine from a local supplier. I take the old hose to him and he makes up the new one out of silicone to match it. Not gonna lie, it was more expensive, but for me it was worth it in spades in the long run.

I can't afford to sit on the side of the road making repairs. A roadside repair is usually a minimum of $500. That hurts when it's over something as simple as a hose. I carry belts, hoses, turbo boots, and anything else I can. Even with that, and doing the work myself, the down time can cost me seriously with my customers. I have an excellent reputation for on time service that I'm proud of and there have been times when I made it on that reputation. Those silicone hoses have been a big part of that, in my opinion.

As for spending the money on my pickup? Well, a few summers ago, I was going fishing in my pickup. I had a $2000 kayak, 6 rod/reel combos that are a minimum of $500 each, an ass load of expensive tackle, a $400 paddle, my fish finder, and various other gear in the back of my pickup valued at $1500.:rolleye0012::D:D, when I blew a heater hose. No way could I leave all that stuff and walk to the parts store 1/2 a mile away and come back and repair it. I tried calling my wife, who was riding horses in the woods without her phone. I tried calling my Dad, who was trucking 400 miles away. My brother was fishing a tourney at Falcon Lake in S. Tejas. I was what they call S.O.L. Used the 'ol AAA card and had her towed home. Over a freaking hose, but I DID NOT want to leave all my valuable gear on the side of the road! Incidentally, that was also one of the things that led me to my decision to buy my XJ. All gear locked up inside, covered as best as I can, with the kayak on top...LOCKED.

After I got the truck home, I took every hose off and ran into town and had new ones made of silicone. No more problems!

[XJ Wheeler]

I've seen some blues hoses for XJs before, a few years ago. Always wanted em, because mine's blue. :p Couldn't tell you what they were made out of though or if they still sell them.

[Paddletrucker]

I've seen some blues hoses for XJs before, a few years ago. Always wanted em, because mine's blue. :p Couldn't tell you what they were made out of though or if they still sell them.

Usually, at least the ones I've seen, the silicone hoses are blue on the outside and orange on the inside.

[Infidel Edition]

Usually, at least the ones I've seen, the silicone hoses are blue on the outside and orange on the inside.

And they last FOREVER...
The police versions are green. That's what I ran on my '69 K5. Loved em.
Even if it were only the few non-form fitted, it'd be worth it.

thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Infidel Edition]

Found a site that has silicone radiator hoses for '91 - 01 XJs.
$140
But it'd be the last radiator hose (that's top and bottom as a set) you'd ever need to buy.

http://www.hps-siliconehoses.com/jeep-91-01-cherokee-xj-hps-silicone-radiator-hose-kit-coolant-red.html?gclid=CJqV_cK78LYCFcuh4Aod8QkAjg

.......better yet from e-bay http://www.ebay.com/itm/silicone-radiator-coolant-hose-Jeep-Cherokee-XJ-4-0l-242-CID-L6-1984-2005-/251192500588?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989%7CMake%3AJeep%7CModel%3ACherokee&hash=item3a7c3d616c&vxp=mtr
for $70 for my '89
Just need to shop a bit.

[bluedragon436]

Yeah I had a set of the blue silicone hoses on my BMW when I had a leak or two on my original black hoses in Germany.... Unfortunately the PO had jerry rigged some stuff on it, so it overheated and trashed the engine... But the hoses def held up to it all, and the new owner of the car cleaned them out and reused them after he did an engine swap... Have run them in many other cars I've owned or helped build over the years... and they have always stood up to whatever was thrown at them and continued going.... Once my currently new hoses start to wear out, I'll look into snagging a set of the silicone hoses for the XJ!!

[Brasscatz]

Found a site that has silicone radiator hoses for '91 - 01 XJs.
$140
But it'd be the last radiator hose (that's top and bottom as a set) you'd ever need to buy.

http://www.hps-siliconehoses.com/jeep-91-01-cherokee-xj-hps-silicone-radiator-hose-kit-coolant-red.html?gclid=CJqV_cK78LYCFcuh4Aod8QkAjg

.......better yet from e-bay http://www.ebay.com/itm/silicone-radiator-coolant-hose-Jeep-Cherokee-XJ-4-0l-242-CID-L6-1984-2005-/251192500588?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1989%7CMake%3AJeep%7CModel%3ACherokee&hash=item3a7c3d616c&vxp=mtr
for $70 for my '89
Just need to shop a bit.


Nice find! I suppose I'll be the one who mentions that the longest lasting/best hoses for our Jeeps are.... wait for it..... RED!!!!!

[Paddletrucker]

Nice find! I suppose I'll be the one who mentions that the longest lasting/best hoses for our Jeeps are.... wait for it..... RED!!!!!


I like colors other than black in the engine compartment. My silicone hoses on my big truck are blue, the engine is Cat yellow, and all of my heater valves and electrical harnesses are red. I like it. I think red would look good in the engine compartment on an XJ, hidden away, where the color red belongs, out of sight!:P:D:D:D I really do think the red hoses wold look good in there.

I am guessing these are the same as my blue ones, but if you'll notice, the hoses are shiny. My blue hoses maintain that sheen. A little blast of water in the engine compartment, and those hoses shine like new.

I've got a buddy who painted the lettering on his engine blue to match the hoses. I might do the same thing on my Jeep when I buy hoses. Paint highlights around the engine compartment to go with those red hoses. I'll bet that'd look nice. If your jeep is red, it would have red points under the hood, too. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Brasscatz]

I think red would look good in the engine compartment on an XJ :thumbsup::thumbsup:

Motor mounts:

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo7/thestalliontruck/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG1202.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/thestalliontruck/media/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG1202.jpg.html)

Plug wires:

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo7/thestalliontruck/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG0213.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/thestalliontruck/media/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG0213.jpg.html)

I have added even more red since then, but can't find a picture of it :D

[Paddletrucker]

Now you need red silicone hoses!! I figured it'd look even better to have red inside the engine and a red jeep. I like it.....even if it IS red.:D:D

[Infidel Edition]

Motor mounts:

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo7/thestalliontruck/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG1202.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/thestalliontruck/media/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG1202.jpg.html)

Plug wires:

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo7/thestalliontruck/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG0213.jpg (http://s356.photobucket.com/user/thestalliontruck/media/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG0213.jpg.html)

I have added even more red since then, but can't find a picture of it :D

I think they had heater hoses too.
Just in case you were thinking 'just 1 more red *** would do it.'

....naugh. 1 more is only 1 closer to red enough

[nickyg]

There is no such thing as "too much red". I always thought Chrome and color looks cool under the hood. Too bad the only color I have going on is rust.

[denverd1]

I don't think I've ever heard of those... I'm interested!

never heard of them either! Definitely be checking them out

[denverd1]

Motor mounts:
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/oo7/thestalliontruck/Red%20Bandit%20XJ/IMAG1202.jpg

Brass, I would say your radiator's got a leak, but then I remembered. your jeep is RED. no worries bro!

[Paddletrucker]

never heard of them either! Definitely be checking them out


They're expensive, but I've got clamps that rusted off of mine and the hoses were still like new. They're awesome!

[Brasscatz]

Brass, I would say your radiator's got a leak, but then I remembered. your jeep is RED. no worries bro!

Nah, just flushing out all the zombie guts from the last Walking Dead episode ;)

[denverd1]

Nah, just flushing out all the zombie guts from the last Walking Dead episode ;)

:smiley-laughing021: