Phoenix Jeeps, where does your temp gauge sit right now?

[adventureboss]

It's been 110+ the past few days and when I pull up to a light, I can see my temp gauge creep up eventually to where the needle lines up with the middle of the 0 on "210". So a couple needle widths to the right of 210. A/C is maxed out and at that point I can feel the A/C start to blow hotter. I've checked my cooling system again and again and it's in good shape. This includes the fan clutch because I know that is the first thing someone will ask if I've replaced. I have. As soon as I start moving and get on the highway, the gauge returns to the center mark.

When I spoke to my mechanic, he told me that it's normal and if I leave an older vehicle with a mechanical fan in the 115 degree heat idling with the A/C maxed out, it will overheat eventually and that I shouldn't worry about it other than turning off the A/C when I need to idle for extended periods of time to avoid it. Does that make sense? Where is everyone else in the valley at temp gauge wise right now?

 

[Renegade TJ]

I am where you are, 2 needle widths to the right while idling with AC on. When I am moving my gage is about 1 needle width. When it is about 100 out I am right at 210. 90 degrees and below, normally, I run 200 and below. I have not had to turn off my AC, but I dont commute either. Yes, AC does not work as good in 115 degree weather. I consider my rigs cooling system is working as it should. Yours sounds simular.

 

[bucky]

Not in Az but it gets just as hot here and I run the Mojave often. Mine stays a little less than yours just a bit over 210. I does not matter if it’s 70 or 115, have the air on or I’m pulling a grade. I have a habit of keeping my eye on the gauges all the times. I did just have the cap go bad and start puking out coolant when parked after use with not temp change. I think it was from residual heat and no coolant circulation. New cap and the problem went away.

 

[Renegade TJ]

You did not mention off road. I have not been in about a month since temperatures reached 100°. I can be all day long in 4 low and stay under 210°. I have not tried off road at 110°+ and probably wont.

 

[DaveC]

Center to right half of the 2 when moving with ac on. Stopped at a light, it may edge up slightly but doesn't get more than straight up 12 o'clock on the 1.

 

[KennethS]

The needle in mine is centered on the 2.

It is typical for the temperature to rise slightly at idle, and the AC won’t blow as cold. When I stop at a light, I press the gas pedal to bring the engine up to1200 RPM and that keeps the AC blowing cold. I do the same thing with my other manual transmission car.

 

[xXDavidCXx]

Higher than mine at idle, and if you see that after just sitting at a light then I think something is up.

What have you done to ensure your cooling system is "in good shape"?

 

[adventureboss]

You did not mention off road. I have not been in about a month since temperatures reached 100°. I can be all day long in 4 low and stay under 210°. I have not tried off road at 110°+ and probably wont.

Offroad is not a big deal because I'm usually in 4low and the revs are high so it stays right at 210. Idling though is a totally different story.

 

[adventureboss]

Center to right half of the 2 when moving with ac on. Stopped at a light, it may edge up slightly but doesn't get more than straight up 12 o'clock on the 1.

Is that not a tad cold actually? Hmm maybe I do have an issue.

 

[adventureboss]

The needle in mine is centered on the 2.

It is typical for the temperature to rise slightly at idle, and the AC won’t blow as cold. When I stop at a light, I press the gas pedal to bring the engine up to1200 RPM and that keeps the AC blowing cold. I do the same thing with my other manual transmission car.

So it's to the left of the 210? I do the same and rev the engine up but it only slows the engine temps from rising, doesn't stop it.

 

[adventureboss]

Higher than mine at idle, and if you see that after just sitting at a light then I think something is up.

What have you done to ensure your cooling system is "in good shape"?

Replaced every single damn component, even the hoses, burped it countless times, done chemical flushes over and over again. Still can't get this thing to run cool. The only original part really is the temp sending unit which I doubt is bad. I've literally tried everything. Even checked the head gasket. Maybe I need to try a more aggressive way of flushing crap out, I don't know.

I do know that the previous owner neglected the cooling system completely and the radiator was full of sludge when I bought it. I'm wondering if there's a ton of hard build up maybe in the block that the chemical flushes aren't able to get?

 

[CJ with a TJ]

I'm up in New England, and my temp gauge is always where yours is, and has been that way for over 20 years.

 

[adventureboss]

So I'm seeing three "that's normal" and three "mine runs cooler in the same conditions" so I don't know what to think, I'm just worried about premature wear or worse, engine issues in the future if my temps are too high.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Slightly over 210 on the gauge is perfectly normal in hot conditions. Mine was reading a little too high at idle with the AC on, until I did a chemical flush to clean the system out.

 

[bucky]

Have you tried adding a Wetting Agent to the coolant? I’ve never used it before but I do put an anti cavitation additive in my diesels.

 

[DuckNut]

So I'm seeing three "that's normal" and three "mine runs cooler in the same conditions" so I don't know what to think, I'm just worried about premature wear or worse, engine issues in the future if my temps are too high.

You are just fine. The system will get hotter sitting above 150 degree pavement and cool down when you move again as the air blows across the radiator.

The cooler than mine can easily be explained...they may have different thermostats than you.

You are just fine.

 

[ColoJeep]

It's been 110+ the past few days and when I pull up to a light, I can see my temp gauge creep up eventually to where the needle lines up with the middle of the 0 on "210". So a couple needle widths to the right of 210. A/C is maxed out and at that point I can feel the A/C start to blow hotter. I've checked my cooling system again and again and it's in good shape. This includes the fan clutch because I know that is the first thing someone will ask if I've replaced. I have. As soon as I start moving and get on the highway, the gauge returns to the center mark.

When I spoke to my mechanic, he told me that it's normal and if I leave an older vehicle with a mechanical fan in the 115 degree heat idling with the A/C maxed out, it will overheat eventually and that I shouldn't worry about it other than turning off the A/C when I need to idle for extended periods of time to avoid it. Does that make sense? Where is everyone else in the valley at temp gauge wise right now?

View attachment 625151

When you stop the Jeep and normally idle , try putting it in neutral and rev the engine to 1800 - 2000 r.p.m. The temp . should drop fast .
Your mechanic is correct in my opinion , nothing to see here , move on .

 

[xXDavidCXx]

Replaced every single damn component, even the hoses, burped it countless times, done chemical flushes over and over again. Still can't get this thing to run cool. The only original part really is the temp sending unit which I doubt is bad. I've literally tried everything. Even checked the head gasket. Maybe I need to try a more aggressive way of flushing crap out, I don't know.

I do know that the previous owner neglected the cooling system completely and the radiator was full of sludge when I bought it. I'm wondering if there's a ton of hard build up maybe in the block that the chemical flushes aren't able to get?

What radiator cap are you using? Are you using the same radiator that had the crap in it? If not what brand of radiator are you using?

Does your coolant overflow bottle have boiling water in it?

Are you using a high flow pump?

 

[KennethS]

Also note mine is a 1998, so the gauge and sending unit are likely a bit different than yours.

 

[KennethS]

Driving to work in the morning. 90 degrees and AC on.

Driving home in the afternoon. 110 degrees, AC on, rush hour traffic.