When I got my CJ it had a 3 core rad and a 160* thermostat (and a flex fan). There was an incident that resulted in my fan going half way through that one and I replaced it with a 2 core rad. when I got tired of the heater not working I installed a 180* thermostat 'cause it was the hottest one in stock at the time.(I wanted a 195) I've got no shroud either and the engine still runs too cool! The hottest it ever gets is 180 according to the gauge and then only if it idles for a long time while stopped on a hot day. The heater works good enough for the deep south so I'll leave it like it is for now. If we have a cold winter maybe I'll get a 195 thermostat this year. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

well thanks for the input, but does anyone have any ideas about how to get it to last, at least more than a few years? i just put on a screen for the grill mabey that will help a little. other than that i 'm out of ideas, any one else have any?

Move bout 2,000 miles south? I never have had a radiator wear out here.. A few have leaked and were repaired.
There is nothing on our streets cept maybe some good ole Texas dust! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Maybe just move a little bit south! I never had problems like that even in PA or Jersey islands. Seriously, maybe it just needs a good rinsing off several times a winter. Hope you've got a heated garage. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

as you run more rich with the antifreeze it gets more caustic. are you running straight antifreeze or something? i plow snow with my yj so i see lotts of crappy road conditions and it's not right that a radiator should be beat so fast. there must be some other answer other than salt etc., cuz there's as much salt here as anywhere!

Sorry Tom but you are completely wrong! Ethylene Glycol is a lubricant and is better for your coolant system than WATER is. It causes NO DAMAGE to the cooling system. Up where you live you MUST mix some water in with the Ethylene Glycol to keep the stuff from freezing. Down here we do not have to and many of us run straight antifreez with no ill effects.
In it's pure form Ethylene Glycol will get thick and have some ice crystls in it at bout -10*F. However it will NOT boil till near +400*F. Great stuff for hot climates.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Besides anti freeze being used to lower the freezing point, it is also an anti-corrosive. Cars out in the south and in desert climates run antifreeze to keep the PH and other such things in the water in balance. Ethylene glycol may lubricate, but it is not used as a lubricant in the cooling system.


How many times do I got to say this BJ, PURE ETHYLENE GLYCOL IS NOT THE BEST AT COOLING. You are talking about the temperature it can take, not the amount of heat. A burning match has LESS heat than a tub filled with ice water. The match has a way higher temp. There is a reason auto manufactures say 50/50 mix.

that would be nice to move a bit more south...but i like to burn up the hill on my snowboard too.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> as for the mix i did mix it 50-50 and i check the temp every fall before winter. so what does cause it to turn green??? just use?, bad mix? bad rad?

Sunder how many times do I have to answer? Yep we know it's cooling properties are slightly lower. BUT the difference in a radiator is not noticeable! I'd betcha the difference in the coolant exiting the radiator with a 50% mix and without ANY water could not be measured without a labratory! On paper is one thing but in actual use 100% ethylene glycol is the cats meeoooow. No interior rust...ever. Coolant pumps seem to last and last. Lots of good stuff happens.
I'd betcha the rumor of needing water mixed with it to help it cool got started by guys reading the label! In their ignorance of the product they just naturally thought the 50% water was to help it cool. It does not help! Any theory to the contrary is just that...theory!
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

BigJim If what you say is true, why don't the Antifreeze makers recommend using more? Not using a 50/50 mix would result in double the sales. It's not ethylene glycol that inhibits corrosion, it's other additives, some of which are abrasive and can reduce the life of seals. Using more antifreeze can reduce water pump life and radiator efficiency. In the south you might not need to be concerned about the temp dropping below 0 but a lot of vehicles are running around with borderline systems that need all the help they can get to avoid overheating. The slight reduction in efficiency caused by using straight AF could be the straw that breaks the camels back. If a proper mix is maintained and the coolant is changed when it should be, corrosion will be nil with a 50/50 mix.