Water Temperature on a 1989 YJ 4.2L?

[Badnews_III]

I am looking for the normal water temperature on a 1989 YJ 4.2L 258ci. as mine is running in between 180 to 205. Is 180 and 205 consider as overheating?

Please, I need info on this one as I don't want to drive it overheating.

TIA:beerchug:

[MattPascoe]

Sounds perfectly normal to me (as long as your temp gauge is correct)

MP

[bgredjeep]

I've got mine running about 160-180º around town but at highway speeds it tends to climb a bit. The trouble I have is that once it gets up around 190º+ it doesn't like to come back down. I'm in the process now of installing a Taurus electric fan to keep it in check a little better. I just got the last parts I needed to wire it up so I'll be installing this weekend if all goes according to plan.

*edit* Forgot to mention, I'm currently running pusher and puller electric fans and a 3 core radiator. With this new fan I should be able to run just the single puller.

[D'Mann]

Most stock vehicles run better at around 200. Carbed vehicles can get away with lower temps, but the computer is looking for 200 for the proper mixture. Of course the Carter carb that is in the 4.2 will still eventually have some issues..... oh wait what was that question?

Yeah 200 to 210 is fine.

[bigwheels87]

I just got my 89 with the 258 on Monday and have driven it for a couple of days and the water temp has been running 180-200.

[LeadFoot]

Thats not overheating, running just about right. Mine doesn't come close to 210, even on the trail doing full throttle hillclimbs.:clapping:

[Jays89YJ]

Badnews, I had an '89 4.2L in my YJ and it had a 190* thermostat in it for the winter. So the guage read 190*. I put a 160* in for the summer, so the guage read 160*. Jeep engines run hot.

bgredjeep, I don't know why your engine would run hotter on the highway. You get a lot more airflow when on the highway, so it should run cooler.

[Chris142]

-=- originally posted by Jays89YJ -=-


bgredjeep, I don't know why your engine would run hotter on the highway. You get a lot more airflow when on the highway, so it should run cooler.

The rad cant cool the water fast enough due to either being plugged up or just not having enough fins and tubes.

[love24wheel]

Mines run right at the middle of the guage (210) since day one.
Scott

[Jays89YJ]

-=- originally posted by Chris142 -=-
The rad cant cool the water fast enough due to either being plugged up or just not having enough fins and tubes.

True, a clogged up radiator would do that. But under normal conditions, the temp goes down on the highway.

[D'Mann]

bgredjeep

I've seen the bottom radiator hose collapse under pressure of the air tunneling under the front. This is usually when an aftermarket radiator hose without the coil inside is used. the metal coil (feels like a spring) keeps the hose from collapsing, if it ain't there the hose collapses, and the fluid doesn't flow.

If you have the right hose, It might be the radiator. But if it's running 190, that really isn't hot for a jeep engine (even with a 160 thermostat). Now if it were an aluminum block honda rice engine I might be concerned, but for most engines 190 is more than acceptable.

B

[bgredjeep]

Yeah, its not so much that it climbs while at highway speeds, but when I have to stop after running at highway speeds (as I do most days on my commute to work) tends to rise quickly. Its mainly me just being picky. My motor runs its best in the 160º-180º range so thats where I want to run it.

I just installed my Taurus fan yesterday so according to all the reports I've read about it I should see my temps right where I want now. I'll get out and test it today and post back about the results.