Cooling system overhaul, but now it's overheating

[minimull]

So yesterday I finished overhauling the cooling system in my TJ. The only thing that was wrong was the radiator had barely started leaking. I didn’t even need to top it off often, maybe once a week.
But I don’t like to wait for things to breakdown while I’m on the road, so I figured I’d replace almost everything (except the dreaded heater core) while I was in there. I replaced the radiator, upper and lower hoses, heater hoses, water pump, bypass tube, fan clutch and thermostat. All mopar parts except the bypass because I forgot to order it and had to grab one at the local parts store. I backed Mikey out of my workshop and cleaned everything up.

Then when I went to drive and he immediately started running hot and overheating if I didn’t run the heater. I had to go to a meeting, and am just getting back to it. I started it up and it made this awful sound. I’m guessing either the belt is slipping or the new fan clutch is bad. Going to start with a new belt since that’s the easiest solution, but any insight would be appreciated.

 

[hear]

I'm guessing the belt is the noise, but I can't say for certain. Did you burp the system? I like to run it with the cap off, and as it gulps coolant down I add distilled water.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

Almost certainly needs bleeding better.

 

[Link]

Bet you have air in the system. I like to use a vacuum fill tool but it’s not mandatory.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

X3 you still have air trapped in the cooling system that needs to be bled out.

Having installed a 195 degree thermostat with a hole like this positioned at the top would speed up getting rid of the trapped air. You need to add more diluted coolant or distilled water as the trapped air leaves the system.

 

[UKTJ]

Had a similar issue recently, it was air. Was advised to get the front up a bit higher and run for a big with the radiator cap off. Worked a treat.

 

[zebra12]

This is very helpful.

 

[minimull]

This is very helpful.

Picked up the Harbor freight version of this gadget. Makes burping your rad super easy. I got in the rest of my parts, so I replaced the idler pulley, tensioner, belt and burped the radiator using my new gadget. All is well. Thanks for the help.