Operating Temp

denphillips2

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Nov 2, 2016
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Parker, CO, United States
Quick question. Ordered a radiator/elec fan kit for my 97 2.5L.
Need to get a relay kit. What temperature range should I get for the elec fan relay kit?
Going to replace thermostat too. Looks like 195 on the thermostat.
Choices for the relay are 200/185 and 185/175, but I imagine I could get anything I want.

Thanks!
 
In Colorado where it's colder I would go with a 200/185. The 185/175 will be too cool for a cooler climate like Colorado.
 
I hate to rain on the parade but the very LAST thing I would install into a TJ is an aftermarket radiator/electric fan kit. Really. Such kits, though this may be hard to believe after reading the advertising for it, don't cool nearly as well as a properly operating OE radiator and its belt-driven fan. Really, no exaggeration. I spend the majority of my time wheeling in hot desert conditions and it's common that we have to rescue TJs that are overheating with their aftermarket radiator/electric fans. They just, really, don't cool as well. Yes I know you're calling BS on this but it's the unexaggerated truth.

The ONLY time the factory cooling system isn't able to keep up with hot conditions, towing, etc. is when there is a repairable problem with it. Stuck coolant thermostat, bad fan clutch, or partially clogged radiator. My TJ is always towing my trailer up the mountain roads and/or wheeling in the desert and it just doesn't overheat. The only time it overheated was from a stuck thermostat which was easily fixed.

If your TJ is overheating, it's fixable for less cost than that kit you're talking about installing. Less trouble too.

More Wrangler TJ cooling system problems from having installed kits like that have been cured by nothing less than going back to the factory design. I know factory cooling systems aren't sexy but they work well so long as they're properly maintained.

In fact, I had to assist a guy 4 weeks ago on the trail when his TJ started overheating. His electric fan stopped working. We did some troubleshooting and found that his 10 month old fan thermostat had already failed. We had to ground that wire so the fan would turn on (all the time) so we could complete the trail.

This is a subject I'm very well versed in, these are not just rumors or old wive's tales I am repeating. I just hope you'll not be so enamored with the idea of that fancy electric fan that you can't change your mind. Really. :)
 
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I hear what you are saying. I have considered it, and are not doubting you. I already have the stuff on the way. If the Elec fan doesn't work out, I plan to save the factory fan and shroud. My radiator is still working fine, but is seeping around the seams and very corroded up. Since I installed a new heater core because the old one was not working well, I figured I didn't want to run a bunch of crap through it to start to plug it up from the get go. I am going to flush out as much of the engine as I can before the install. Any recommendations on a chemical or process I should use to help flush it out. I can drive it with the old radiator that is in, and has coolant in it. I just have the heater core bypassed right now.
 
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Jerry what kind of trailer do you have?
I tow a Fleetwood Taos pop-up tent trailer.

CIMG4098.webp
 
Awesome! I have been thinking about getting a Runaway RV trailer and have been curious how our Jeeps tow. I will have to wait until after my gears are installed though! :) Do you know how much your trailer weighs?
The spec says 1245 lbs. unloaded. I may carry an additional 150 or 200 lbs. including 5 gallons of water in mine at the most.
 
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