ColoCherokees
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Littleton, CO
Specs - '96 XJ, 4.0, AX15, 181K. Original radiator, water pump and heater core - heat works fine, no leaks/coolant loss, totally unmodified engine/transmission/exhaust.
I just replaced the original thermostat, because when driving, the temp would climb to approx 210, then drop dramatically - in the winter could be as much as a 50* drop, and then would slowly oscillate between ~160* and 210* (as indicated on temp gauge). I assumed a faulty thermostat was to blame.
When I replaced the thermostat (Mopar unit from dealer, installed with bleed hole at 12 o'clock), I did a "flush & fill" - seems to be bled properly, and no leaks or coolant loss (one week later). Now, the engine will only warm to approx. 180*...but in the recent 90*+ weather, if idling for a few minutes (AC on), the temp will climb to near 210* (a hair or two below the 210 mark on the gauge), but as soon as I begin to move, the temp drops back to the ~180* area.
To sum up, the engine appears to be running cooler after new thermostat, but still with the same dramatic drop in temp once it warms up. I don't have reason to suspect a faulty gauge, but I'm going to borrow an IR temp sensor from a friend to verify gauge is telling the truth.
What's wrong with this thing?
I just replaced the original thermostat, because when driving, the temp would climb to approx 210, then drop dramatically - in the winter could be as much as a 50* drop, and then would slowly oscillate between ~160* and 210* (as indicated on temp gauge). I assumed a faulty thermostat was to blame.
When I replaced the thermostat (Mopar unit from dealer, installed with bleed hole at 12 o'clock), I did a "flush & fill" - seems to be bled properly, and no leaks or coolant loss (one week later). Now, the engine will only warm to approx. 180*...but in the recent 90*+ weather, if idling for a few minutes (AC on), the temp will climb to near 210* (a hair or two below the 210 mark on the gauge), but as soon as I begin to move, the temp drops back to the ~180* area.
To sum up, the engine appears to be running cooler after new thermostat, but still with the same dramatic drop in temp once it warms up. I don't have reason to suspect a faulty gauge, but I'm going to borrow an IR temp sensor from a friend to verify gauge is telling the truth.
What's wrong with this thing?