Is this normal wear for a TJ cooling system?

[TallGuy]

Explain your flushing regimen you performed on the cooling system. Slowly so us impaired folks can follow what you did.

Basically just drain, fill, run and drain. All with distilled water. Then after 4 fill and drain cycles I poured in the flushing liquid and topped off with more distilled water and ran that for a couple of days with the heater blasting.

Before I started the flushing additive I popped off the heater core tubes, hooked a hose to the outlet and let the inlet tube drain into my bucket. I got some good pressure into the core and lots of chunky mushy stuff poured out.

After leaving the flushing additive in the system for a couple of days I started all over and did 2 more flushes with the radiator on.

Once radiator was off I dumped sludge out (couldn't believe stuff was still in there at this point) then added more water from the top. I noticed that if I sloshed the water inside more stuff came out, so that's what I did until it was clear.

I followed a mixture of steps from the forum here and some YouTube instructions. Specifically ChrisFix. He has a great instructional on flushing the heater core. I didn't bother with a block drain, although when the thermostat and water pump were off I hosed part of those openings pretty good.

I'm pretty happy with it so far. After the process I drove it around for awhile and my temp gauge doesn't even peg over 210 anymore. This TJ likes to overheat with the AC on, so next time it's over 100 degrees here in AZ I'll do a field test for science to see how she does.

The radiator seems newer and the AC condenser didn't have much blockage in the fins so I didn't even bother spraying that out.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Ok, let's play:

Consulting my brand new 2006 owner's manual, it states QUITE clearly, and I quote: "Mopar Antifreeze/Engine Coolant 5 year/100,000 Mile Formula" right there on page 314. That is NOT the green crap.

It also states, on page 285, and again I quote: "Use ONLY the manufacturer's recommended antifreeze/coolant....". That does not constitute any endorsement whatsoever of the green stuff.

I've seen far too many vehicles with corroded or porous aluminum bits to ever use the green stuff on anything other than a full cast iron system. I *ALWAYS* use the stuff the MFG recommends - in fact I *ALWAYS* use the stuff that has the MFG's name on it, it just isn't that much more expensive even if you buy it from a dealer.

You do you, but I'll do me..

Does it say to use Mopar oil too?

 

[CJ with a TJ]

I was under the impression that you couldn't simply go by the color of the coolant, as there was no industry standards as to what the colors mean, so you had to read the bottle to check compatibility via the owner's manual recommendations.

Has that changed?

 

[mrblaine]

Basically just drain, fill, run and drain. All with distilled water. Then after 4 fill and drain cycles I poured in the flushing liquid and topped off with more distilled water and ran that for a couple of days with the heater blasting.

Before I started the flushing additive I popped off the heater core tubes, hooked a hose to the outlet and let the inlet tube drain into my bucket. I got some good pressure into the core and lots of chunky mushy stuff poured out.

After leaving the flushing additive in the system for a couple of days I started all over and did 2 more flushes with the radiator on.

Once radiator was off I dumped sludge out (couldn't believe stuff was still in there at this point) then added more water from the top. I noticed that if I sloshed the water inside more stuff came out, so that's what I did until it was clear.

I followed a mixture of steps from the forum here and some YouTube instructions. Specifically ChrisFix. He has a great instructional on flushing the heater core. I didn't bother with a block drain, although when the thermostat and water pump were off I hosed part of those openings pretty good.

I'm pretty happy with it so far. After the process I drove it around for awhile and my temp gauge doesn't even peg over 210 anymore. This TJ likes to overheat with the AC on, so next time it's over 100 degrees here in AZ I'll do a field test for science to see how she does.

The radiator seems newer and the AC condenser didn't have much blockage in the fins so I didn't even bother spraying that out.

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You did pretty good. The only 2 things I see that you missed is the same flow of coolant goes through the heater core whether you have the heat on or off in the cab. The TJ does not have a heater control valve on the coolant. The second thing is how much time you save by doing the water flushes to clear with the thermostat pulled. You can do 10 fill and drain in an hour without needed to wait for the thermostat to open and circulate coolant each time.

 

[TallGuy]

You did pretty good. The only 2 things I see that you missed is the same flow of coolant goes through the heater core whether you have the heat on or off in the cab. The TJ does not have a heater control valve on the coolant. The second thing is how much time you save by doing the water flushes to clear with the thermostat pulled. You can do 10 fill and drain in an hour without needed to wait for the thermostat to open and circulate coolant each time.

Thanks. True I've heard that heater control advice on the forum - old habits tho. I was really more interested in keeping an eye on the heater temp. Prior to flushing it was cool air coming from the vent. Lol I was excited to feel a huge difference. But yeah not truly necessary.

Great tip on removing the stat, that's gold. I could have saved time. I was waiting for parts to come in and I didn't want to tear things apart at that point for fear of messing with any gaskets. Just seemed easier in my situation to start the process since I had time to kill. Also I love tinkering, and the more time I get under the hood with my Jeep the happier I am.

In the fall I may try a thermocure flush.

 

[KennethS]

I keep several thermostat gaskets on hand, just in case. Keeps me from having to go back to the auto parts store for a $1 item.

 

[TallGuy]

Oh that's a great idea. I'm starting to keep doubles of most components, within reason. I have two thermostats, serpentine belts and an extra set of plugs right now. Next time I head to the parts store I'll grab some gaskets. Slowly building up my garage supplies.