1994 Jeep Cherokee has a leak of brown fluid, what could it be - details follow -?

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jkjudgex

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1) The engine runs hot...
2) It overheated, and brown fluid poured out...
3) The anti-freeze overflow jug is full of brown, chunky fluid
4) Under the radiator cap, the same brown chunky fluid is present.
5) I was able to drive the vehicle about 25 miles after pouring in new anti-freeze, but it ran hot at, even at night.

I have seen other similar questions and people returned answers like rusted radiator or bad heater core... I don't know how to check for those, remedy them exactly. Also I've read about a cracked head gasket letting oil into the coolant. I don't know.

Seems like the majority of the actual "leak" is coming out of the top of the "overflow jug" and it's full of the brown crudwater.

I know heater cores are expensive, and flushing is needed for radiators sometimes, but, I am open to other suggestions or can provide more details if needed.

Thanks!
 
You got most of the details already researched. You might have few problems (rusted out radiator, blown head gasket, old coolant, possible failed water pump).

You can start with coolant flush. If that doesn't fix it, then go with new water pump. You probably don't have cracked head gasket because you didn't complain of what steam like fume from the exhaust.

The only thing is that your heater core is not related to this. It is what heats the passenger cab using the hot coolant.
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There are 4 most important maintenance items in your engine and tranny (the most expensive parts of the car).

(1) engine oil (3k - 5K miles)
(2) tranny oil (30K miles)
(3) coolant (3 years)
(4) timing belt (60K miles)

Just keep those maintenance and your engine and tranny will be problem free. I have a 94 Civic with 187K miles and the engine + tranny + suspension runs like new. I get 41 MPG (doing 72 MPH). I can get even better MPG doing 55.

Good maintenance pays off.


Good Luck..
 
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