Have you ever tried this product?

[90Xjay]

My 90 Cherokee runs well and usually operates in the 195 degree range according to the dash guage, which I have double checked with a IR temp gun and it is pretty darn close. However it can creep up a little to the 210 range, before going back down. It does not over heat and runs as cool as any other 14 year old 4.0 that I know of.

I was thinking of trying one of these coolant additives that works to lower surface tension and lower the coolant temps. Many people are making one now and this one is from Royal Purple

Have you used anything like this and if so has it helped?

 

[graewulf]

I wouldn't worry about it.. your jeep was designed to run at higher temps than that with no damage. You can easily hit 220-230 before you overheat. 195 is normal operating temperature, but any vehicle will hit 210 on a hot day especially when going slow (most newer ones run at 210 under normal conditions and overheat at closer to 260). Install an auxiliary electric fan that you can turn on with a switch if you are worried about the temp, that will cool you down some. It is the lack of air moving across the radiator that is causing you to heat up, not lack of cooling capacity.

 

[TwistedCU]

However it can creep up a little to the 210 range, before going back down.

I'll second what Graewulf said. That's normal on an XJ.

 

[White]

I know Chuggin uses Water Wetter in his ZJ.

 

[90Xjay]

Thanks for the info.
I have been looking at this fan over-ride sytem on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...ry=33600&item=7918296858&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I don't think I could build one myself leaving the factory style plugs in place for that price.

 

[graewulf]

Looks like a good idea but not the same as a second fan... when on the trail on a hot day a second fan will do more good.. that way aftewr you kick on the aux fan, the onboard can turn on and help if it is still too hot. just my .02

And you could do it for less.. one switch, one relay, 2 wires to the relay from battery/ground, one from switch to relay and switch to hot. One wire tapped into hot wire on fan. But it is a nice easy solution if you are not electrically inclined.

 

[TwistedCU]

I never even considered any of these, but it would make sense to try to cool down the notoriously hot XJ 4.0L a bit.

Seems like it would be a good option to just re-wire the elec fan to run when the ignition is on. I guess they didn't set it up that way because it would shorten the life of the fan. Mine did okay in the hottest rush hour jams this summer so I'm not pressed to do anything any time soon.

 

[90Xjay]

I think I will install the over ride switch. I know graewulf said you could get the stuff together cheaper, and that is true, but I like the fact that you don't have to cut into any wire harness to install this set-up. This guy uses the same male and female factory fan plugs that are already on your rig. If you ever want to do away with it, just unplug and replug the two factory connectors.

It is so tight on that radiator where would you recommend a second electric fan? The only place I see would be about a 12" pusher on the condenser side.

 

[graewulf]

It is so tight on that radiator where would you recommend a second electric fan? The only place I see would be about a 12" pusher on the condenser side.

that's exactly what I had envisioned... those do work. The override switch is a good idea, I might have to do that on my ZJ too.. those pine barrens get real hot in the summer.

 

[XJNick]

This guy uses the same male and female factory fan plugs that are already on your rig.

Those "factory" connectors are the GM Weatherpack series connectors. They come in 1-6 pin configurations, and can be purchased at NAPA. For the fan connector (which is two pin), you'd need:

> (1) male and (1) female Weatherpack Shell
> (2) male and (2) female 10-12 gauge weatherpack contact "pins" (these are crimpable, but I'd also recommend soldering them for a better connection).
> (4) seals (these go around the wires and are optional to help keep water out).

As I said, NAPA carries all this stuff (including any relay and switch you need). However, if you don't want the hassle of doing the wiring yourself, then that ebay auction looks ok. :mrgreen:

-Nick :!:

 

[90Xjay]

Thanks Nick. If I can buy those same connectors than Wulf's idea to build it yourself would save some $$

The seller of the harness claims that with his configuration, when the switch is off, the cooling fan operates normally. I would have to think on that one a while.

Hey, how's the old XJ project coming along?

 

[XJNick]

Hi,

It is basically done and I've actually been driving it off and on over the last few weeks. There are still a few small details that I want to finish working on before I can truly say it is "done" (and begin driving it more frequently), and I should have those taken care of by the end of next week at the latest.

Then I promise I'll go over to the General Chat forum and share my XJ project (which due to things beyond my control has taken about a year to complete) with who ever wants to know about it :mrgreen:

P.S. If I have time tommorrow I will draw you a quick schematic for the fan "manual on" circuit. :mrgreen:

-Nick

 

[ChuginSudz]

I know Chuggin uses Water Wetter in his ZJ.

yup, stuff works great - good for 15 degrees

 

[90Xjay]

Chugin'
Where did you get the Water Weter??? -product from? Is that the brand you bought and how much did you add to your rig

 

[ChuginSudz]

Chugin'
Where did you get the Water Weter??? -product from? Is that the brand you bought and how much did you add to your rig

got it here locally (Penna) in a PEP Boys auto store ( u can get it online too) - directions r on the bottle

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp?productID=53&coolantFlash=1

 

[XJNick]

90Xjay,

I finally had a chance to make a schematic for you.

You'll notice that my drawn circuit requires an additional wire run to it from the battery. This is also the case with the circuit listed in that EBay auction above (though the seller doesn't make that clear until you read it at www.xj-armor.com). Also, that seller recommends connecting his switch's power wire to a circuit in the interior fuse box, which isn't a good idea (as that wire would also feed the fan motor itself).

Anyways, in my drawing the thick wires should be 12 AWG, and the thin wires can be 16 to 20 AWG. Be sure to fuse the hot wire which comes from the battery! Note that everything inside of the dotted gray line is stuff that you'll need to add. The wiring outside of the gray line is already on the Jeep. :mrgreen:

-Nick :!: