2005 TJ cooling system parts change in Texas

cpwolf

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TEXAS - Cedar Park
So it’s 102-104 daily here right now in CenTex.


I put in Preston Flush last Friday, drove regularly.
Saturday I drained it, including block, ran only Distilled (don’t say use a hose, there is so much calcium and mineral in our water I don’t want that in my engine)
I have a small leak in my heater core, so I installed the Dorman Bypass (2 connectors and a u shape hose).
I changed out a new Stant Superstant 195 Thermostat with the small hole and in the 12 o’,clock position.

Drained 2 more times and ran Distilled. Emptied including block and filled with 50/50 Zerex G-05 HOAT and distilled.

Still getting 222-226 at times in the TrailDash.

All components were 100% replaced by a shop when I bought it for my son in 2015. They used non Mopar radiator.

I’m going to put in the Mopar Radiator (it’s been ordered) and check numbers again. If that doesn’t bring them down, then I’ll get a new fan clutch.

There is no leak in the water pump, so I’m going to do this 1 part at a time ish to just see if really the Mopar radiator makes a significant difference. Hoping so.

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Live a little bit south of you, and yup, it's hot. Can't speak for all, but when my '06 LJ starts up in this heat the fan sounds like a 747 taxiing down the runway. If your fan isn't turning enough to drag sufficient air through the radiator, it's going to run hot. Everyone on his forum says to use only stock radiators, so that's probably a good idea. I think it is more important to use the correct fan and fan clutch. Good luck!
 
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Live a little bit south of you, and yup, it's hot. Can't speak for all, but when my '06 LJ starts up in this heat the fan sounds like a 747 taxiing down the runway. If your fan isn't turning enough to drag sufficient air through the radiator, it's going to run hot. Everyone on his forum says to use only stock radiators, so that's probably a good idea. I think it is more important to use the correct fan and fan clutch. Good luck!

Agree. On my fan clutch, yeah I laugh, at times it sounds like a fan boat in Louisiana, ha. I had that all replaced when I was travelling way more and couldn't get to it all in 2018 but it's not Mopar, and that will be my next piece. I'm going to do the radiator, got a delivery notice for the 1st, and will have it in Saturday morning and then see if there's a big difference, then the fan.
 
I'm in north Texas and this June has been brutal.

When I got 04 last year, I did the flush, prestone and thermocure treatment. The picture below captures the output of these three processes.

I was pretty shocked at what came out of my cooling system after the thermocure - especially considering i'd already flushed with prestone and distilled. Even if you aren't targeting rust specifically, I'd be surprised if it didn't help from my results. My temps have been kept under 220 even at stop lights this summer.

Left to right in the order of application:
  • Existing coolant drain
  • Prestone flush
  • Thermocure flush
1656608725959.png


https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/prndls-tj-build-ii-the-green-one.55717/post-985175
 
getting ready to do the radiator thing myself. it’s taken almost a month to finally get an email shipping confirmation for a oem mopar radiator. this year’s heat has been brutal. 103-104 last week here in east texas.
 
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Working in south West Texas for a month. Thought about bringing the Jeep. Glad I didn't lol.
 
So it’s 102-104 daily here right now in CenTex.


I put in Preston Flush last Friday, drove regularly.
Saturday I drained it, including block, ran only Distilled (don’t say use a hose, there is so much calcium and mineral in our water I don’t want that in my engine)
I have a small leak in my heater core, so I installed the Dorman Bypass (2 connectors and a u shape hose).
I changed out a new Stant Superstant 195 Thermostat with the small hole and in the 12 o’,clock position.

Drained 2 more times and ran Distilled. Emptied including block and filled with 50/50 Zerex G-05 HOAT and distilled.

Still getting 222-226 at times in the TrailDash.

All components were 100% replaced by a shop when I bought it for my son in 2015. They used non Mopar radiator.

I’m going to put in the Mopar Radiator (it’s been ordered) and check numbers again. If that doesn’t bring them down, then I’ll get a new fan clutch.

There is no leak in the water pump, so I’m going to do this 1 part at a time ish to just see if really the Mopar radiator makes a significant difference. Hoping so.

View attachment 339894

View attachment 339897

View attachment 339898

I'm betting on the Mopar radiator being a big help/cure. Aftermarket radiators generally don't cool as well, it costs serious $$$ to get an aftermarket radiator that even cools as well
 
I'm betting on the Mopar radiator being a big help/cure. Aftermarket radiators generally don't cool as well, it costs serious $$$ to get an aftermarket radiator that even cools as well

Just realized a mistake...I didn't see the Thermocure flush, not sure how I missed that, did the prestone. Gonna do that as well before putting in this Mopar Radiator that's set to get here Friday afternoon.
 
So I have drained the cooling system now….4 times or more. Started with Prestone flush. Then got to the point of empty including block 4 times at least.

Was back to 50/50 and on the right is the drain including block etc all into one container, then this is 1 gallon of that. Pretty clear etc other than coolant color.

Drained and did the Thermocure and Distilled.

This is the drainage on the left, literally it was running clear etc no muck.

Not sure if it’s a chemical reaction only which I doubt, so it’s taken this much out. Basically black.

Will drain and refill until it’s clear, waiting to cool down is longest part ha. Should do this in the winter not 102 heat, ha
Also did the paper check on fan clutch, seems to be working very well, ha.

776226DF-7A2C-4DC0-A629-79CB1B8C602F.jpeg
 
Last edited:
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Draining out my second flush now. My water never was dark at all. It was tinted the antifreeze green.
 
I now completely understand why @mrblaine takes out the Thermostat, because this process of running to temp, cooling, draining rad and block, and again and again, is a freaking PITA. If I removed the stat, I'd fill, start, run it, flush, and again, this is days of this s#!+ now luckily I work from home and can do it.

Either way, I did the Prestone and flushed and it looked clear. Now did the Thermocure, and drained left to right (was more than 1 gal, there are other containers) 1st is black, 2nd pretty dark, how clear is clear on this from you experts? I was being literal, as it clear, making this last one still not clear, if I'm being too literal I'm all ears.
IMG_4833.jpg
 
I now completely understand why @mrblaine takes out the Thermostat, because this process of running to temp, cooling, draining rad and block, and again and again, is a freaking PITA. If I removed the stat, I'd fill, start, run it, flush, and again, this is days of this s#!+ now luckily I work from home and can do it.

Either way, I did the Prestone and flushed and it looked clear. Now did the Thermocure, and drained left to right (was more than 1 gal, there are other containers) 1st is black, 2nd pretty dark, how clear is clear on this from you experts? I was being literal, as it clear, making this last one still not clear, if I'm being too literal I'm all ears.
View attachment 341442

I'd be fine with the last one. Leaving the thermostat in is pure amateur "I hate myself and like to do everything the hardest way possible" crap.
 
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I'd be fine with the last one. Leaving the thermostat in is pure amateur "I hate myself and like to do everything the hardest way possible" crap.

Brother.....I'm 100% amateur, idiot too! This was just the Thermocure round, ha, had 3 others before. I've got a new Mopar Radiator to install just showed up, and already put in distilled, so it will get 1 more drain and a new Rad and I'm done .... but in 2 freaking years....the Stat is coming out, guaranteed...still be an amateur though.