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Do TJ's usally operate at 210F?

39K views 122 replies 57 participants last post by  ninjaturtle0 
#1 ·
So, I just finished driving through a mud puddle, and found that my Engine was able to convert the splashed water to steam. Physical inspection, the radiator cap is hot (haven't opened yet due to heat), Coolant in the container, the engine is hot but not glowing red or anything crazy.

The thing is, the Thermostat acts like it's fine, slowly raising the temp to 210 (boiling) then staying there. Could it simply be the Thermostat is bad and is thinking is the engine is running comfortably and not supplying enough coolant? If so, is the Thermostat repairable or do I need to replace it.

Also, while waiting for the engine to cool, where is the location of the thermometer on a 4.0L Engine?
 
#4 ·
Daginni said:
So expect the heat? All clear?

I'll change the Coolant and Thermostat anyways because they I got them, and I like my Head Gasket.

Worthy of note, it's 95 degrees out, and blasting my AC doesn't help contain engine heat, now does it? :p
Expect the heat:thumb:, its normal, the engine is made to work best at that temp range

Ive had mine close to the red when I was pulling a 3k lb trailer up a mtn. 3rd gear w/ the ac blasting, after I got over the mtn it returned to normal.
 
#10 ·
I have a 97 2.5 and my temp runs under 210 like 195. Later models have an idiot lite like gauge that lies so beware. The thermostat is easy to change once you find out that there's a belt loosner nut so you don't have to kill yourself to get the housing off that's on the front not top of the engine.
 
#12 ·
Mine has ran at 210 degrees, winter, spring, summer and fall, since the day I bought it 5 years ago.

Had the "special" coolant in it then. Switched that garbage out for regular universal coolant and a new thermostat. Still ran at 210! Just put a new radiator in it a couple weeks ago and new universal coolant. Guess what? Still runs at EXACTLY 210!!
 
#16 ·
Daginni said:
Well, changed out the Thermastat, and decided to drive it around a bit. Started cool, and steadily rose to 210F on road after about 10 minutes or so. Decided to full blast the AC, still 210F. Decided to off-road a bit, still says 210F, maybe just a hair higher.

But the question is, should the outside of the engine feel like it's hot. Not glowing or anything dangerous, but it defiantly feels like 210F on the outside of the engine. Hood is warm as a result. Normal?

Fan is running, engine sounds perfectly fine, everything is operating like it should. I only owned this Jeep for half a year, never went around other Jeeps to see their engines heat, and honestly unsure what to expect from a 4.0L Engine. It's probaly nothing, but better safe than a busted head gasget or radiator.

Going to flush the Coolant tonight because I should do it anyways.

Never went past 210F even with old Themastat. Heck, I dont even think there was anything wrong with the old one, but replaced it anyways.
Seems like you are changing out stuff trying to correct an issue that is not an issue. 210 degrees is hot, but NORMAL!!! I don't care what vehicle and engine it is, when its at normal operating temp, the outside of the engine IS going to be hot, unless its got some of those silly engine bay covers on it. Remove those covers and you will find the actual engine is hot if its at normal operating temp.
It no big deal if you want to change stuff out for preventive maintenance, just don't do it cause you feel 210 is abnormal.
Heck after a wheeling trip where a lot of water has gotten on the engine and converted it to steam, you DO NOT want to touch my hood!
 
#18 ·
Our TJs run hot, and Jeep didn't do us any favors with the engine bay design.....it doesn't breathe well, which is why you'll have hot feet if you remove your carpet. My previous owner had rhino-lined the whole tub, but I ended up buying some used carpet off a local TJ owner and reinstalling the front pieces, along with a thermal barrier. Way better...my feet don't cook anymore (including a recent 7 hour trip in 106 degree temperature).
 
#21 ·
Mine got up to about 220 or so yesterday. Temps were high 90s/low 100s and I had the air on. I was also driving on I-44 thru the Ozarks with a stiff head wind.

Lost some fluid out of the overflow cannister, but nothing else. Rad is still full and topped off the overflow this morning.

Looks like it's going to be in the 100s all this week and next in OKC.
 
#35 · (Edited)
---

Yesterday My jeep also ran about 220 but It didn't over heat at all.. I passed by the car wash spend a dollar and wet it down then drove it on home. It was about 113 degrees outside I was driving down lake hefner pwky from memorial to nw 63rd expressway.. The traffic was kinda heavy but it didn't give me any problems. Since I had it, it always ran 210 ALWAYS! This is the first time that I ever seen it go over, but then again it's the first time that I drove through HELL in Oklahoma tripple degree heat! I never.. Anyway is there anything I can do to make my Jeep Desert Ready? there hasn't been any rain here and doesn't ever look like it's going to rain. I love my A/C so a dunebuggy is out. Is this normail in tripple degree heat that is my question. I thought something was wrong with my jeep, but it drove fine and didn't ever give me any problems. Owned it for 6 years 1998 Jeep Cherokee sports. I thought about stopping and pouring some beer on the radiator, but said Nahh... lol Let me know thanks.. From Long Island NY.. Drove jeep here.. BTW Just replaced A/C condenser, compressor, waterpump, this that.. so I don't think anything is wrong with it.. Air is nice and cold..
 
#28 ·
Mopar or bust. Only settle for the best. The jeep engeneers pretty much nailed it with everything on the jeep so use wat they thought was the best. Nd when u mix. Use distilled water only. Mopar collant is proven.
 
#31 ·
Daginni said:
Well, changed out the Thermastat, and decided to drive it around a bit. Started cool, and steadily rose to 210F on road after about 10 minutes or so. Decided to full blast the AC, still 210F. Decided to off-road a bit, still says 210F, maybe just a hair higher.

But the question is, should the outside of the engine feel like it's hot. Not glowing or anything dangerous, but it defiantly feels like 210F on the outside of the engine. Hood is warm as a result. Normal?

Fan is running, engine sounds perfectly fine, everything is operating like it should. I only owned this Jeep for half a year, never went around other Jeeps to see their engines heat, and honestly unsure what to expect from a 4.0L Engine. It's probaly nothing, but better safe than a busted head gasget or radiator.

Going to flush the Coolant tonight because I should do it anyways.

Never went past 210F even with old Themastat. Heck, I dont even think there was anything wrong with the old one, but replaced it anyways.
Yes the outside of the engine should be hot and so should the hood. Mine runs 210 or a little over if I'm towing or wheeling. You have nothing to worry about.
 
#34 ·
My temp has been acting up. Normaly it's around 210 but today after a 75 mile drive it went to the red zone and the check gauges light came on. After letting it cool down it stayed around 220 while driving. I give up with this hunk of garbage Jeep. 5 years of problems has been enough for me.
 
#37 ·
There is no such thing as an incurable overheating problem. Overheating is caused by any or a combination of the following... clogged radiator, defective thermostat, air in the cooling system, defective fan clutch, bad radiator cap, improper coolant/water ratio, or a bad water pump. It's a simple system, it doesn't take much to fix an overheating problem... and in proper operating condition, the TJ's OE cooling system will keep the engine cool in any conceivable driving condition.
 
#36 ·
Yesterday My jeep also ran about 220 but It didn't over heat at all.. I passed by the car wash spend a dollar and wet it down then drove it on home. It was about 113 degrees outside I was driving down lake hefner pwky from memorial to nw 63rd expressway.. The traffic was kinda heavy but it didn't give me any problems. Since I had it, it always ran 210 ALWAYS! This is the first time that I ever seen it go over, but then again it's the first time that I drove through HELL in Oklahoma tripple degree heat! I never.. Anyway is there anything I can do to make my Jeep Desert Ready? there hasn't been any rain here and doesn't ever look like it's going to rain. I love my A/C so a dunebuggy is out. Is this normail in tripple degree heat that is my question. I thought something was wrong with my jeep, but it drove fine and didn't ever give me any problems. Owned it for 6 years 1998 Jeep Cherokee sports. I thought about stopping and pouring some beer on the radiator, but said Nahh... lol Let me know thanks.. From Long Island NY.. Drove jeep here.. Repalce all A/C parts , New Waterpump, and I keep my oil Changed every 3. new here, trying to find out how to post also.. thx for ur patients.
 
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