As above, adding water won't cause the engine to run any warmer. Water cools better than coolant/antifreeze.This here,these things run on the edge of hot,everything has to be right as rain,including mopar radiator and a good 50-50 mix
As above, adding water won't cause the engine to run any warmer. Water cools better than coolant/antifreeze.This here,these things run on the edge of hot,everything has to be right as rain,including mopar radiator and a good 50-50 mix
Curious as to why you recommend a new oil pressure sending unit given mine seems to be doing its job?
Does antifreeze have a higher boiling point than water at a given pressure? I've always assumed that it did, but just realized that I don't actually know.
You can run the recommended 50-50 mix of water/coolant in the hottest desert conditions if you have the OEM Mopar radiator or a damned good non-cheap high-end radiator. Cheap online or store brand radiators have no excess cooling capacity so desert conditions can cause overheating problems where the factory cooling system won't have any at all. I spent 25 years wheeling in the SoCal deserts and even Arizona several times with the OEM cooling system never a cooling problem.In the past I have used straight water due to its greater ability to remove heat, but as noted that will result in rust and corrosion.
These days I run 25-30% glycol for the anti-corrosion benefits. That percentage gives me freeze protection down to 5-10ºF, which is adequate for here in the desert where it rarely gets below freezing, and I get the benefit of better heat capacity for the 115+ summer temps.
Should I be considering lifting the head and replacing the head gasket or should I just keep driving it and keep an eye on it?
You said, " but after an extended run if I come to a complete halt the oil pressure drops to nearly zero and the check gauges light comes on".
You can run the recommended 50-50 mix of water/coolant in the hottest desert conditions if you have the OEM Mopar radiator or a damned good non-cheap high-end radiator. Cheap online or store brand radiators have no excess cooling capacity so desert conditions can cause overheating problems where the factory cooling system won't have any at all. I spent 25 years wheeling in the SoCal deserts and even Arizona several times with the OEM cooling system never a cooling problem.
Not Toast but, definitely warm bread. This happened to me 3 times once by my driving. It becomes a ticking clock counting DOWN to CATO.
I wouldn't be so sure. A few things can happen with over heats. First off, you cook the oil so change that regardless. Second, you can blow a head gasket, usually from warping the head, both of which can be addressed. You can also distort the block so bad it puts the cylinders out of round (while the pistons stay round) which causes obvious bad things. Follow on issues can arise if you don't change burnt oil or fix a blown head gasket, but until you warp a head or distort the block to the point your cause damage to the cylinder walls, if you don't have a leaking head gasket, change the oil and send it.
My .02 for what it's worth. Haha, see what I did there etc etc.....
OP, you said: "All happened within about 20 seconds from the first noise to the stall."
If that is accurate, very high probability your engine is just fine. It didn't run anywhere near long enough for damage that matters. Change the cooling bits you mentioned along with a thorough flush. Change the oil and filter. Deal with the oil pressure sender if it's actually a problem. Enjoy your TJ.
Everything else is excessive worry to no worthwhile benefit.
TimV.
Jerry,
I’ve had the Jeep for 21 years and had the factory radiator (that split), an inexpensive aftermarket all aluminum (that failed in a weird way), and finally an auto parts store Murray brand aluminum/plastic. I have wheeled, daily driven in rush hour traffic, and road tripped in 110+ summer temps with the AC on with all of those radiators and have never run hot. Just my experience, but the two aftermarket non MOPAR radiators worked just as well as the factory original.
I wonder if an aftermarket radiator made back in 1998 would last longer than an aftermarket radiator made in 2023.
While you’re replacing cooling system parts don’t forget about the radiator cap