over heating in low

[Rubi03 jef]

hey there everyone
i have an 04 rubi and it seems to over heat when wheeling in 4low as does my brother 05 unlimited  the rads arnt blocked but there is very litle mud on them as is there on the engine its self
just seems to over heat anytime its a bit dirty
has anyone else had this problem and if so what are the ways to fix it

thanks

[cuzican]

I'm down to a 160 degree thermostat to try and resolve a similar issue.

My rad is fine.
I have an electric fan.
I have even emptied and refilled the coolant just in case there was a bubble.

My big issue is an 8274 winch blocking air flow.

[Rubi03 jef]

i was considering installing an electric fan and now i have a new winch to install and im not sure if i want to because of the over heating problem
what would the reasons be for the over heating since mud and dirt isnt a factor

[Immortal]

what would the reasons be for the over heating since mud and dirt isnt a factor

Lack of air flow... a bigger fan, or slightly different mix of antifreeze/water would help. I am pretty sure that there isn't that much air being pushed through your rad (as opposed to a fan pulling it through) in 4 low. I run slightly higher temps in 4 low, but not enough to be concerned with.

[Rubi03 jef]

so would it be better to get an electric fan that runs all the time

[Immortal]

the mix would probably be cheaper to start with. keep in mind we are heading into winter.

[Rubi03 jef]

what should the mix be for the winter 50/50

[Immortal]

any mechanics want to tell us the proper mix?
anyone?
anyone?
Bueller?

[Waytec]

Don’t go by the mix. Go to CT or an auto parts place and get an antifreeze tester. Test to get the roper mix for the tempter you are aiming for. Also how old is your TJ. The antifreeze may also be due for a change, it dose brake down over time.

[Rubi03 jef]

thanks gents .. ill be doing that this weekend

[Tinkerer]

Does it always overheat or just intermittently?

I just went through this myself, electric fan, checked mixture, made sure rad was washed etc. and discovered it was an intermittently sticking thermostat...
Of course, then I started to fill and test and was overheating (baking) the new thermostat when during troubleshooting I realized I had forgotten to put the belt back on 

I had already replaced the thermostat once on the '04 when I put a hole in the rad within the first month of driving off the lot during an offroad trip...  guess they only go for so long eh?

[Rubi03 jef]

its only once in a while but seems like only when im crusing in low but not forcing ..

my brothers jeep does the same thing . but now the cluth on his fan stoped working so his fans is alwasy spinning and doesnt seem to have the problem anymore

so best thing to do itest the coolant then change the thermostat and if all the fails electic fan last option

[Bnine]

Electric fans actually move less air. When you clutch fan is engage, it moves its max amount of air by 1500-1800 RPM. That is why your brothers clutch fan roars when he revs past 2500 rpm. Normal operation they start backing off by then.

If you guys are cooking clutches on 05's already, then you have been playing in mud, and there is more then likely a ton of mud still stuck in the shroud side of your rads.

Over heating at low rpm in moderately warm outside temps is a sign of serious blocking, or lack of fluid flow. You fans should not even be engaging.

You dont need a 160 thermastat. It wont change anything anyways. It would open sooner, but an open stat is an open stat, you will still have the same cooling issues you would with a stock 190-195.

Mixture here is a minimum of 50/50 to 60/40 antifreeze/water because of how cold it can get. Your mixture should always be confirmed with a tester.


hth

[Bnine]

Also, your brothers clutch will let go sooner or later Jeff. You want to let him know that he needs a new one. It will eventually let go completely, and the fan will go into the rad and tear it all up. They dont last to long seized up like that.

If he cant get to it right away, make sure he at least has a wrench on hand to get the fan off if it lets go, or a hacksaw to hack the fan off at the snout incase of emergecy.

Since like everything else, they always let go at the worst times

And if you guys like mud, its best to stay away from electrics. Mud will kill them really fast.

good luck

[Rubi03 jef]

thanks ..
he has already booked an apointment with the steelership and should be fixed soon WARRENTY rules
i took a flash light and im able to see right through the rad no problem .. its not blocked at all we dont normaly do much mudding but sometimes you just cant help your self but to get a bit dirty
as for mine i did get stuck in a nice big hole and well thats what probabaly caused it i did get it to cool down after finding a nice big puddle of water to park in .

but i guess once i get the lift in ilbe a bit higher easier to keep things out of the mud
i hope