PunksJL
Active Member
- First Name
- Paul
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2022
- Threads
- 9
- Messages
- 44
- Reaction score
- 47
- Location
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
- Occupation
- Retired
- Thread starter
- #1
I was considering adding aftermarket hood vents or perhaps modifying my existing hood vents on my 2019 2.0 E-torque JLUR to see if it would help cool things off during towing. After reading lots of posts and looking at YouTube videos no one could state if they actually work to lower under hood or fluid temperatures. Most people said, "Well I can see heat trails coming off the vents so they must work". I really want to see the science/data behind any modification I consider and couldn't find any, so I decided to do my own test.
Using my trusty Multimeter and a good K-type probe clipped to the center of the engine cover I did a couple of test runs. One run with the factory stock hood vents and insulation in place and the second identical run with the hood vents and insulation completely removed. In this test I'm towing my 2-passenger side x side ATV on its utility trailer with a total weight of 2,250 lbs. The run is a 10-mile uphill grade with about 700' of elevation gain. The runs were done back to back to ensure ambient temperature conditions were similar. All temperatures (in F) were recorded under the same conditions/locations (60 mph). I should also mention that my Rubicon is completely stock except for Gladiator grille inserts. Fluid levels (coolant/oil) were checked before the test.
Although the results showed slightly lower under hood temperatures without the vents, this was not always consistent. Also notable was how little effect the hood vents have on coolant, oil, and transmission temperatures. Frankly, I don't see the benefit for towing/normal driving at least. A test like this might reveal more if it were done in a rock crawling environment but I am more concerned with maximizing cooling during towing.
Using my trusty Multimeter and a good K-type probe clipped to the center of the engine cover I did a couple of test runs. One run with the factory stock hood vents and insulation in place and the second identical run with the hood vents and insulation completely removed. In this test I'm towing my 2-passenger side x side ATV on its utility trailer with a total weight of 2,250 lbs. The run is a 10-mile uphill grade with about 700' of elevation gain. The runs were done back to back to ensure ambient temperature conditions were similar. All temperatures (in F) were recorded under the same conditions/locations (60 mph). I should also mention that my Rubicon is completely stock except for Gladiator grille inserts. Fluid levels (coolant/oil) were checked before the test.
Although the results showed slightly lower under hood temperatures without the vents, this was not always consistent. Also notable was how little effect the hood vents have on coolant, oil, and transmission temperatures. Frankly, I don't see the benefit for towing/normal driving at least. A test like this might reveal more if it were done in a rock crawling environment but I am more concerned with maximizing cooling during towing.
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