• Welcome to the new NAXJA Forum! If your password does not work, please use "Forgot your password?" link on the log-in page. Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] if we can provide any assistance.

Engine Running Too Cold 160F

J

jeepsrock

NAXJA Forum User
Location
LA California
The temp outside is about 65F and i have been driving the jeep on the street for 15 min and the temp hasnt gone more than 160F, unless i sit at a signal /stop sign for a min or so it goes to 210 but as soon as i go it goes back to 160F.

The first idea that came to my mind was that the Tstat is stuck open but i decided to pop open the hood with the engine running to feel the rad hoses. The bottom one was hot but the top one was warm but squishing it gave me the impression it had nothing going thru it ??? If the thermo was stuck open wouldnt the top hose have water thru it ??

Also this thermostat was repalced less than 6 months ago when i replaced the radiator with a modine, the tstat is a mopar 195.

THanks
pete
 
jeepsrock said:
The first idea that came to my mind was that the Tstat is stuck open but i decided to pop open the hood with the engine running to feel the rad hoses. The bottom one was hot but the top one was warm but squishing it gave me the impression it had nothing going thru it ??? If the thermo was stuck open wouldnt the top hose have water thru it ??
Click to expand...
How is the coolant level? This sounds like a neighbors van, coolant was so low she wasn't getting a proper reading from the temp sensor. I guess it was just reading the air in the coolant chamber instead of the coolant that should have been there. Also, it might help if you can burp out all the air from the system. One more thing, check to see if the heater valve is working properly. If it is stuck open, your heater core will act like another radiator and slow down the warming up of the engine.
 
just do a complete flush on it, its only like 15$ at most to do so, and while you're at it check the Tstat.
 
Well before i dive in and do something un-necessary, this morning i ran the jeep again and it pretty much avergaed at 160F again.

I checked the coolant level and its where it needs to be. As for the sensor and guage while the jeep was running i disconnected it and it went all the way to the cold and if i let it idle for a while it does get to temp (210) so i do think the sender and gauge are working.

As for the Tstat if it is stuck open will i know when i take it out ? What will it look like if its stuck, its the stock mopar one ? Are there any Tstats that dont get stuck open ?

pete
 
If the stat is stuck open, you will get up to temp, just slower.
If you can find a Robert Shaw stat, those are very good. Also sold as Mr. Gasket, I think.
Stant Superstats are okay too.
 
Murray's, Advance Auto, Napa ALL sell the Robert Shaw themostat but under other brand names. Ask for a 330-195 for a stock 195* or a 330-180 for a 180* for you obsessive types!
 
Well i just opened the thermo housing to takea look at the thermostat. Its looks like its supposed to, it isnt stuck in the open position ?

Or can it be stuck open and exhibit the same looks ?

pete
 
Well i did try something, i think it may meen something.

I had an older jeep thermostat laying in my box, i decided to put both that one and the one i took out in some bioling water with a thermometer attached. Both of them exibited the same behavior until 190F the one that was in the jeep at 190-200 opened all the way while the older one i got from my box of junk opened a small bit more and as the temp went up but still relatively small amount.

I think this may mean the thermostat out of my jeep is openeing too early and too much. I am on my way to get another, funny thing is its a dealer one.

Pete
 
jeepsrock said:
I think this may mean the thermostat out of my jeep is openeing too early and too much. I am on my way to get another, funny thing is its a dealer one.
Click to expand...

Still have a receipt? Sounds like a parts warranty to me.
 
jeepsrock said:
Well before i dive in and do something un-necessary, this morning i ran the jeep again and it pretty much avergaed at 160F again.

I checked the coolant level and its where it needs to be. As for the sensor and guage while the jeep was running i disconnected it and it went all the way to the cold and if i let it idle for a while it does get to temp (210) so i do think the sender and gauge are working.

As for the Tstat if it is stuck open will i know when i take it out ? What will it look like if its stuck, its the stock mopar one ? Are there any Tstats that dont get stuck open ?

pete
Click to expand...

I don't think there are ANY t stats that DON'T get stuck open.
Actually if it didn't open at all that COULD cause a boilover.There is a T Stat called FAIL SAFE....It IS designed to stick open,therefore eliminating the possibility of a boilover.
Remember the more coolant you keep in the engine,the better your chances are of possibly blowing a hose...
 
Well guys here is an update...

After doing my boiling test and seeing how early and how much the thermo opened i went out to purchase another thermostat. I didnt want another dealer one so i called autozone and kragen and what i ended up with is a superstat by stant. It feels pretty heavy compared to the OEM unit.
Anyway i put it in last night and it seems like its back to normal. The top hose gets really hot tho i cant feel fluid thru it, maybe its just me. The jeep gets warmed up in a few min like its used to and the heater gets boiling again.

And yes hotrod i did call the dealer and he said i needed a reciept to return it , whihc i cant find.

Thanks guys.

pete
 
I have this problem on cold days, runs at about 150-160. But then on hot days it runs 10 or 20 degrees too hot.

I have the modine 2 row radiator and factory 195 t stat which is 8 months old.
 
I would highly recommend you look at your tstat and test it with a working one in a pot of boiling water. I think mine was bad for a few weeks now and in the hot days its not very apparent or atleast it wasnt for me, until the days have been getting cooler.

The fact that its a factory tstat also makes me wonder, since mine was a factory one too.

pete
 
My car sort of does the same thing, it'll heat up to just above 210 on the gauge then it's like the stat opens and it'll cool back down to about halfway between 210 and the mark left, repeat.

always figured it was sort of normal.
 
i dunno why you guys are complainin about runnin cold. after owning 2 XJs for 8 years or so, one has always had the 195 and ran just fine, and the other one i use a 160* thermostat and it runs better IMO.

the 195* is in a 1995 H.O. and the 160* is in my 90 renix beater. the 90 on 33" tires and 3.55 gears gets 20mpg and so does the H.O.

on a very hot day on the trail i will get to 220* i also have a tranny cooler and it stays about 160 as well (measured on the cool side of the cooler)

a lot of people say dont run 160* thermostats but they cant convince me.

-Tim
 
jeepnuts311 said:
i dunno why you guys are complainin about runnin cold. after owning 2 XJs for 8 years or so, one has always had the 195 and ran just fine, and the other one i use a 160* thermostat and it runs better IMO.

the 195* is in a 1995 H.O. and the 160* is in my 90 renix beater. the 90 on 33" tires and 3.55 gears gets 20mpg and so does the H.O.

on a very hot day on the trail i will get to 220* i also have a tranny cooler and it stays about 160 as well (measured on the cool side of the cooler)

a lot of people say dont run 160* thermostats but they cant convince me.

-Tim
Click to expand...
Running a lower temp thermostat does not make your system cool better. The purpose of a t-stat is no to cool the engine it's to keep it warm.
If you have to run a 160* t-stat to keep from overhating then you've got other cooling system issues.
 
The reason i was complaingin was becasue the jeep was running rich and my mileage was horrible. I was getting 8-9mpg and this is my daily driver so i cant aford to have it run like that. Maybe if it was my 2nd car i wouldnt care all that much , anyways in a few days of driving we will see if my mileage goes back up.

pete
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Temp gauge stuck ?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Tonyt22
T
V
High temp woes
2
Replies
21
Views
414
Vitzaa
V
J
Running just fine then dies at idle on street
Replies
4
Views
2K
90xj06
9
S
Issues flushing dirty coolant
2
Replies
29
Views
4K
fenns7
F
J
XJ coolant overflow after engine is shut off
2 3
Replies
45
Views
7K
XJI6191
X
Back
Top