Overheating problems?

[Yt2]

Hi guys,

Can you tell me, do JK wranglers have overheating issues or run hot?

I am about to take delivery of a 2012 diesel auto and I live in the Pilbara. Usual day time temp is 27c - 45c with an average of around 37c.
I see AEV do a heat reduction bonnet, would this be of benefit to me?

Cheers Yt2...

[Yom]

Yes I would be fitting the AEV heat reduction hood if I lived in a hotter environment.

They do not normally have heating issues although they do get very hot in the engine bay.

i think you will see a much longer service life if the temps are controlled a bit better.

[Mud'N'Guts]

Seeing as you're going for an auto it may be worth your while installing a transmission cooler, especially if you're doing offroading.

[Kiwi]

Jeep diesels have been over heating since the first Cherokee with the VM diesel engine came down under in 1997.

[stockobob]

We have had our 2011 CRD auto since May now with over 13,000km mostly from 2,000km plus trips.

We fitted an ARB bar which only has a winch & no driving lights. There are no over heating issues when not towing.

Have had a couple of slight overheating problems towing at highway speeds up hills I would call inclines in hotter weather with temperature coming up to three quarters, then quickly dropping back to half when levelled out. The auto box is not working chasing gears, but just drops back to 4th or 3rd. It feels very comfortable towing in top at 110.

I feel the overheating problem may be from removing the plastic deflector on the original bumper which was designed to force the air down creating a negative effect & let air through the radiator. With the deflector missing the air is hitting the engine bay too high blocking any air that would come through the radiator.

I am experimenting with a wind deflector on the leading under edge of the ARB bar replicating the original plastic one. So far the deflector looks promising after a trail run down the F3 to Sydney last week towing the camper.



I was told by Jeep that the bottom of the radiator is shared by the auto box, so in effect the engine coolant is being reheated by the oil from the auto transmission.

Another solution may be to place a heatsink on the auto line before it goes into the radiator. The Derale would be perfect as it does not need direct airflow & would fit on the wind deflector in a position that will make cutting into the auto cooling line a simple job.

[wranglertj]

wouldnt say they have had overheating issues but are likely to run hot after a mud run as radiator needs a good clean in all fins to get the crap out.

A good aftermarket fan also makes a big difference.

We had a trip up to Robe/Beachport last year in summer and on the way back (we were all towing similar size campers) and my JKU petrol manual was fine but the 2 GU's (one a 4.5L petrol and other a 3.0 hand granade) both ran hot on way home and had to stop a number of times to cool down.

All vehicles to some extent can experience running hot if towing, going up hill and pushing hard but JK is no more susceptible than any other vehicle in my experience

[DavidJ]

Originally Posted by Yom

Traditionally the cooling on diesel Jeeps has never been really good and JK is going to have all the same issues.

News to me . . . and all the diesel Jeep owners I wheel with.