When to cool engine

[Bob D.]

My wife and I will be off-road for 3 days late this month in Canyonlands National Park and I'm wondering if there is an engine coolant temperature, transmission temperature, or engine oil temperature at which you would stop driving and let the engine cool down. The two vehicles are '24 Rubicon's with the 3.6L V6 and it's easy to monitor the aforementioned temperatures on the dash. I take it that 220 is a normal temperature while 240 is overheating. Would you give it a rest at 230? Being from Massachusetts I'm not familiar with driving in desert heat. Thanks.

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[azjl#3]

If you have the AC on the fan is on and you should not really see much over 220. I have found a way to force hi fan is to set temp to full cold, and the fan comes on hi/higher/

Oil temp, is based on RPM so if you are using 3,000 plus it can creep up, but should not go over 240.

I would just slow down if you see water/coolant over 220 and oil over 230.

If you really hit the limits the computer will pull power and set you into limp mode.

Dads from Quincy, say hi, get a dunkin!!

 

[WontonJLUR]

I wheel the piss out of my Jeep in the south, in the summer, for multiple days straight. The fan will get loud and howl but you’ll be fine.

 

[jadmt]

I have been to Moab in june and july several times where ambient temps were over a 100°F and never had an issue with temps getting too hot. we are talking all day trail runs.

 

[Reinen]

What can bite you in that area is wheeling hard, shutting off the engine for 15 minutes or so, and going back to wheeling hard. The engine compartment can get a serious heat soak. One time my Jeep went into limp mode and thought the outside temperature was 156F after I did that. Even the windshield washer fluid tank was too hot to touch. The solution is to pop the hood and let the heat escape.

But outside of that, as long as your coolant level is full and your radiator is clean (no dirt/bugs/etc clogging it up) and your engine is running, you'll be fine. Expect the fan to go into "turbo jet" mode occasionally, it's normal.

 

[Kracka]

240F isn't overheating.

 

[Terrymo]

If you are not actually overheating but get concerned and don’t have a Tazer to command 100% fan speed you can turn your A/C on high and set to floor vents only.

 

[Zandcwhite]

What can bite you in that area is wheeling hard, shutting off the engine for 15 minutes or so, and going back to wheeling hard. The engine compartment can get a serious heat soak. One time my Jeep went into limp mode and thought the outside temperature was 156F after I did that. Even the windshield washer fluid tank was too hot to touch. The solution is to pop the hood and let the heat escape.

But outside of that, as long as your coolant level is full and your radiator is clean (no dirt/bugs/etc clogging it up) and your engine is running, you'll be fine. Expect the fan to go into "turbo jet" mode occasionally, it's normal.

Or just let it idle if you're only stopping for a few minutes.

 

[azjl#3]

240F isn't overheating.

correct, but bears watching

 

[Blacksport]

240F isn't overheating.

In my book, it is too hot. High temps reduce emissions, that's why manufacturers do it. Same with the thin oil, which improves CAFE. Both can be hazardous to engines over time. I did 3 things: Mishimoto radiator, 185° thermostat, RPM Extreme fan controller. I have never seen a temp over 197°, and the temp usually is around 188°. Also using Redline 5w-20, one of the TRUE synthetic oils.

 

[Kracka]

In my book, it is too hot. High temps reduce emissions, that's why manufacturers do it. Same with the thin oil, which improves CAFE. Both can be hazardous to engines over time. I did 3 things: Mishimoto radiator, 185° thermostat, RPM Extreme fan controller. I have never seen a temp over 197°, and the temp usually is around 188°. Also using Redline 5w-20, one of the TRUE synthetic oils.

Everyone is free to believe what they wish.

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