Engine temp gets to be around 230 degrees

[Mack2929]

I've got a 2005 jeep wrangler unlimited 4.0 6cyl. I've changed the radiator,water pump, clutch fan, thermostat and flushed the system. It runs at about 210 degrees but after sitting in traffic for a few minutes the temperature starts to get hot around 230 degrees . Any ideas what the problem may be, it's got 172,000 miles.

 

[Chris]

That's completely normal.

You engine should run around 210-230 degrees. It's normal for the temp gauge to go over the half way mark, especially when sitting in traffic.

 

[Mack2929]

That's completely normal.

You engine should run around 210-230 degrees. It's normal for the temp gauge to go over the half way mark, especially when sitting in traffic.

Thank you, I'll keep a eye on the temperature.

 

[Chris]

Thank you, I'll keep a eye on the temperature.

No problem! Keep an eye on it, but like I said, to see it go above the mid-way point on the gauge is very normal. These engines tend to run hot, and they are supposed to.

 

[89grand]

I don't consider it normal to run up to 230 degrees. It can happen under extreme circumstances, and it's OK if brief, but that isn't normal operating temperature by any means. I live in Phoenix, one of the hottest places on earth, and my gauge has never ran that high, no matter what I was doing.

I also don't know the absolute accuracy of the factory gauge either.

 

[Mack2929]

I don't consider it normal to run up to 230 degrees. It can happen under extreme circumstances, and it's OK if brief, but that isn't normal operating temperature by any means. I live in Phoenix, one of the hottest places on earth, and my gauge has never ran that high, no matter what I was doing.

I also don't know the absolute accuracy of the factory gauge either.

Thank you.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Getting to 230 when sitting still is not normal even on a hot day. Several things can cause that...a bad fan clutch, a store brand radiator, mud caking the radiator fins, sometimes calcium deposits from using tap water instead of distilled water.

 

[Mack2929]

Getting to 230 when sitting still is not normal even on a hot day. Several things can cause that...a bad fan clutch, a store brand radiator, mud caking the radiator fins, sometimes calcium deposits from using tap water instead of distilled water.

Thank you, but the complete cooling system has been changed by a very good Radiator shop.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thank you, but the complete cooling system has been changed by a very good Radiator shop.

If the cooling system is perfect then it can't be getting to 230 and you wouldn't be asking about it. Right? A store brand radiator can easily cause overheating in difficult conditions due to it having no excess cooling capacity to prevent overheating in difficult conditions. Same with store brand water pumps, store brand fan clutches, etc. If you don't believe a radiator shop won't install cheap store brand parts, you may want to rethink that.

 

[Mack2929]

If the cooling system is perfect then it can't be getting to 230 and you wouldn't be asking about it. Right? A store brand radiator can easily cause overheating in difficult conditions due to it having no excess cooling capacity to prevent overheating in difficult conditions. Same with store brand water pumps, store brand fan clutches, etc. If you don't believe a radiator shop won't install cheap store brand parts, you may want to rethink that.

Thank you

 

[89grand]

I think your "angry" grill is the cause. You should remove it immediately. If that doesn't solve the high temps, it'll still a be win for you.

 

[Mack2929]

I think your "angry" grill is the cause. You should remove it immediately. If that doesn't solve the high temps, it'll still a be win for you.

Thank you, you're exactly right, I will remove it, I was looking at it and there's not much air flow, or cut out the inserts on it.

 

[ZEN357]

You might want to go with a lower temperature Thermostat, like a 180 or 160.

 

[rouxbicon]

You might want to go with a lower temperature Thermostat, like a 180 or 160.

If his cooling system can't keep up with a proper 195 deg thermostat installed, how will a cooler thermostat help?

 

[dbbd1]

Thank you, you're exactly right, I will remove it, I was looking at it and there's not much air flow, or cut out the inserts on it.

Seriously, there are inserts on that birds grille that reduce the airflow?
That would be a good place to start. (And, if you like the look, you can always put it back on after you find the problem of your temps)

 

[ZEN357]

If his cooling system can't keep up with a proper 195 deg thermostat installed, how will a cooler thermostat help?

If he doesn't want to replace his grill, a lower temp thermostat is a good place to start.

 

[rouxbicon]

If he doesn't want to replace his grill, a lower temp thermostat is a good place to start.

 

[rouxbicon]

If the coolant temperature has reached 230 degrees, any thermostat is going to be wide open, regardless if it is a 160, 180, or the proper 195. At that point, there is nothing more the thermostat can do.

 

[89grand]

If he doesn't want to replace his grill, a lower temp thermostat is a good place to start.

That wouldn't help. A lower thermostat by itself does next to nothing. You'd need a way to increase fan speed, and when it kicked on, which you can't do with a mechanical fan. Seems like an odd way to address the lack of airflow because of a bad designed grill cover in my opinion even if it worked to lower temps.

 

[g.hayduke]

If you want your engine to operate as designed DO NOT install a thermostat different from that specified by the manufacturer. Period. Installing lower temp thermostats used to be considered a good move back in the 60's & 70's but even then was usually not a good move. Today, with computer controlled engine management, it's never wise to do so.

I would try to find out what parts were used when your cooling system was replaced. I doubt the grill is blocking enough air when you're stopped to cause overheating.

Heed @Jerry Bransford and check that radiator. Forums are full of threads about people having issues with aftermarket radiators. You want an OEM radiator. And check the fan clutch since that was not replaced and plays a huge role in keeping things cool when your are stopped. Finally, check the coolant mix. More than 50% antifreeze will also reduce your cooling capacity.

When I was a teenager and built my 1st car, I thought 100% antifreeze would be a great idea. Wrong! It caused overheating because antifreeze does not transfer heat as well as plain old water.