Jeep Cherokee Laredo

Just for testing, remove the thermostat, hook everything back up. With cap off radiator, can you see/feel coolant/coolant passages? With a cross-flow radiator you may be able to drain coolant down enough so you can see the top couple of passages. Start engine, any coolant flow, see/feel? If there is an air-bleed on the cooling system, I couldn't find it? If coolant flow is blocked, try flushing the system.

How do you know it was getting too hot? I don't trust gages on older vehicles.

It's a closed system and the temp gauge was all the way in the red and it began to smoke. There is no radiator cap...just the cap that goes to the coolant receptacle (for lack of a better term).

I'd still remove the thermostat for testing. I want to check for coolant flow. I'd have to look at vehicle.

My bad, the 4.0L doesn't use a radiator cap, the others do.

Right, but you don't see an engine bleed switch? Wondering how come the coolant did not begin to circulate thru-out the engine.

I couldn't find an air-bleed in our database? Is there a valve on the water pump or thermostat housing? I'd still remove thermostat, if there is an air block, it should move out. Also, remove cap on reservoir.

Thank you! I am working now and will try this once I get home.

Let us know what you find.