open or closed???

Hi to all!!! my 4.0 limited '90 xj (renix with closed cooling system) need new radiator!!!!!! what would U recommend? convert in open system?

I would just by a aluminum expansion bottle from macsradiator.com to replace the craptastic plastic one and be done with it. The closed system works pretty well in my opinion....My newer XJ with the open system has more trouble handling the Arizona heat than my older ones with the closed system.

Sorry didnt notice that you needed a new radiator in the first post. would still keep it closed and get the metal expansion bottle.

thanks for very fast reply.... I write from italy! For many reason I would like preserve the closed system... I think that the metallic bottle are very good suggestion....... (excuse me if my english are not so good).........
p.s.: I remember a summer of many years ago in arizona, new mexico, utah, colorado, wyoming and nebraska..........)

I've looking in mac's site... very good suggestion! but the cap are included?

o-gauge-steamer said:

I can personally guarantee you that your English is at least as comprehensible if not better than some others on this board. I can also warrant that it is better than my Italiano. Sì, è certamente.

Not to worry!

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grazie! il tuo italiano è perfetto.
translation: (but U don't need) thanks! Your italian is perfect!!! (at least up to here ....;-) ).

stefanoquinto said:

(excuse me if my english are not so good).........

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Your "English" is better than many folks that try to post something on here!

I like the closed system, when it works, it works awesome. But I recently faced the same dilemma as you with my 90XJ. I decided to just go ahead and convert it. I ordered a 96 XJ radiator and used all of the hoses and heater control valve for the 96(I chose the 96 model since I have two of them and I'm very familiar with the coolant system on them)

For a recovery bottle I used a universal bottle from Orielly's Auto Parts, it works great, fits into the same space as the old reservoir(comes with a bracket that can be bent to to fit) and it only cost $20.

Here is a pic of how the bottle sits in the stock location of the reservoir.


Ive not noticed anything different about how hot the engine runs, if anything it runs cooler and I went from a 3 core brass to a 2 core aluminum radiator.

wow! job well done! In italy there are many problem to find all parts for do the conversions.... I think that are better if the close system are properly tuned.........

Trailrider, nice intake. What brand is that? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread

To solve the poor expansion bottle design, I got the cap and bottle from a Volvo at the junk yard.



They hold up much better than the Crown or Dorman brand OE type. This bottle was only a month old when I had to add epoxy along a crack that formed. The yellow stuff you see in the pic.

NewBreedCustom said:

Trailrider, nice intake. What brand is that? Sorry, not trying to hijack the thread

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Spectre

I ran the Volvo cap on mine for a while and it works great, the problem is the bottles will only take so many swell/shrink cycles before they crack and your sitting on the side of the road. The metal reservoirs are a much better idea.

If you choose, you can run a radiator with a cap and still keep the closed system.