Jump to content

Tips for a cool running comanche?

Discoman9001
 Share

Recommended Posts

Discoman9001 Can Spell Comanche

Discoman9001

Posted
Posted

Hello everyone! I just moved from Mass to Arizona and my manche made the trip with relative ease, but now that I’m the desert I’ve noticed over the past week or so it’s running a little bit warmer than it ever has. Looking for some tips on how to get a cooler engine temp in this 110+ heat, thanks! 

IMG_4297.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Discoman9001 Can Spell Comanche

Discoman9001

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It’s running right around 215-220 maybe according to the gauge but that’s a little vague given the gauge has 210, a hash mark that I just assume is 230 and then 260, before it never got above 210. Water pump, thermostat, coolant is all pretty new. Electric fan blows solid and clutch fan seems to be good as well. I was considering another flush and adding some “water wetter” 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pete M down with the MJ sickness

Pete M

Posted
Posted
32 minutes ago, Discoman9001 said:

I have also seen on some Cherokee forums people adding venting to the hoods to help with “heat soak” but I was unsure if there was any evidence to those claims or if it was just a few people cutting there hoods and saying “oh yeah runs way cooler now”

 

 

the factory system is fully capable of cooling a MJ without hacking holes in the hood. :L:   after 3 decades it just needs the basic maintenance done (like replacing ancient parts like your rad and hoses and fan clutch etc). 

 

fun fact: adding holes in the hood can let stinky smells from the hot engine right into the cowl and then into the cab.  :( 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AZJeff MJ Junkie

AZJeff

Posted
Posted

I have owned multiple XJ's and now an MJ here in Phoenix, and all of them have run just fine in the heat.   The secret to that is to make sure your cooling system is operating AS DESIGNED by Jeep.   If ANYTHING has deteriorated below OEM spec, overheating is likely.

 

 Here are my thoughts:

 

1.  I don't trust the temperature gauge on the dash to be particularly accurate.  I alway confirm temperatures by using one of the infrared meters with a laser pointer on it (Harbor Freight for the win.), and I take my temps on the thermostat elbow.  By doing that, you can sort of extrapolate how far off the gauge on the dash is from reality.

2.  If your coolant is even the slightest bit cruddy, a flush is the minimum to do.   When you refill, be sure you run the correct mix of antifreeze, because it not only lowers the freezing point, but it raises the boiling point of the coolant as well.

3.  If your viscous fan clutch is more than 5 years old, replace it, regardless of if it "feels" OK.

4.  If you don't have the electric fan in your MJ, install one.

5.  If your radiator has any crud that does not come out from a good flush (an inspection mirror and flashlight is needed to see inside the end tanks to look for permanent deposits in the radiator), then  consider converting to an open cooling system while you are replacing the radiator.  It removes a bunch of weakness with the closed system pressure tank and cap.

6.  If you are redoing the system to convert to open, ditch the heater control valve while you are at it.  That plastic piece of junk is prone to breaking, especially with the heat we see out here.

7.  If your hoses are even the slightest bit soft, you can expect them to get MUCH softer very soon with the higher under-hood temperatures.  I just automatically replace mine as soon as I see or feel any squishiness at all.

8.  While you are changing the hoses and/or the radiator, put on a new belt if the one you have isn't new within the past 5 years was well.  The heat kills those things as well.

 

I know guys who run the hood louvers, but I am not convinced it really helps the actual engine cooling that much.  It might make the temperature of various components lower, but actual engine temps are not going to be improved that much.

 

Also, get some oven mitts or gloves to carry in the Jeep.  When I have been out running around and its fully heated up in the summer, I can barely even reach in to release the secondary hood latch due to the heat of the hood by the radiator.  Then, once it's unlatch, I race to move sideways over towards the prop rod area, where it is MUCH cooler.   Gloves make this a bit more tolerable, and you won't look goofy like I do when crab walking the hood in my hands to get to the cool part:laugh:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Discoman9001 Can Spell Comanche

Discoman9001

Posted
  • Author
Posted
18 hours ago, AZJeff said:

I have owned multiple XJ's and now an MJ here in Phoenix, and all of them have run just fine in the heat.   The secret to that is to make sure your cooling system is operating AS DESIGNED by Jeep.   If ANYTHING has deteriorated below OEM spec, overheating is likely.

 

 Here are my thoughts:

 

1.  I don't trust the temperature gauge on the dash to be particularly accurate.  I alway confirm temperatures by using one of the infrared meters with a laser pointer on it (Harbor Freight for the win.), and I take my temps on the thermostat elbow.  By doing that, you can sort of extrapolate how far off the gauge on the dash is from reality.

2.  If your coolant is even the slightest bit cruddy, a flush is the minimum to do.   When you refill, be sure you run the correct mix of antifreeze, because it not only lowers the freezing point, but it raises the boiling point of the coolant as well.

3.  If your viscous fan clutch is more than 5 years old, replace it, regardless of if it "feels" OK.

4.  If you don't have the electric fan in your MJ, install one.

5.  If your radiator has any crud that does not come out from a good flush (an inspection mirror and flashlight is needed to see inside the end tanks to look for permanent deposits in the radiator), then  consider converting to an open cooling system while you are replacing the radiator.  It removes a bunch of weakness with the closed system pressure tank and cap.

6.  If you are redoing the system to convert to open, ditch the heater control valve while you are at it.  That plastic piece of junk is prone to breaking, especially with the heat we see out here.

7.  If your hoses are even the slightest bit soft, you can expect them to get MUCH softer very soon with the higher under-hood temperatures.  I just automatically replace mine as soon as I see or feel any squishiness at all.

8.  While you are changing the hoses and/or the radiator, put on a new belt if the one you have isn't new within the past 5 years was well.  The heat kills those things as well.

 

I know guys who run the hood louvers, but I am not convinced it really helps the actual engine cooling that much.  It might make the temperature of various components lower, but actual engine temps are not going to be improved that much.

 

Also, get some oven mitts or gloves to carry in the Jeep.  When I have been out running around and its fully heated up in the summer, I can barely even reach in to release the secondary hood latch due to the heat of the hood by the radiator.  Then, once it's unlatch, I race to move sideways over towards the prop rod area, where it is MUCH cooler.   Gloves make this a bit more tolerable, and you won't look goofy like I do when crab walking the hood in my hands to get to the cool part:laugh:

Thank you for all the advice, I just moved to the Phoenix Area. Sadly I can’t really work on my truck in my new residence. Do you know of any reliable/ trustworthy shops that I could have work on the old girl?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AZJeff MJ Junkie

AZJeff

Posted
Posted

I don't know of any that I have used, because I do my own repairs.   Other guys on the forum who are in AZ might be able to chime in on some reputable shops in Maricopa County.   What part of the Phoenix are do you live in?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Discoman9001 Can Spell Comanche

Discoman9001

Posted
  • Author
Posted
50 minutes ago, AZJeff said:

I don't know of any that I have used, because I do my own repairs.   Other guys on the forum who are in AZ might be able to chime in on some reputable shops in Maricopa County.   What part of the Phoenix are do you live in?

Just moved here from Mass, I did all my own repairs as well. Now I’m in Tempe AZ

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AZJeff MJ Junkie

AZJeff

Posted
Posted

If your MJ is fully drivable, I would be willing to help you out with looking it over and discussing a strategy on what to do to bring the cooling system up to snuff.    Best of all, if something REALLY needs attention RIGHT AWAY, I have something that is VERY valuable here in Phoenix:  and air conditioned garage.

 

Send me a PM and we can set up a "look it over" visit, if you like.  I am in Queen Creek, which is about 25 miles from Tempe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...