Today I took my GCSRT8 out and pushed it pretty hard. The Air Conditioning was turn on. I have a 180 deg thermostat. It is 94 deg F outside. After a few launched from a dig I noticed an increase in Temp. So I pushed it a little harder to see what would happen. I know the Thermostat only controls the minimum engine temp, so what could it be? Or, is it normal when pushing it hard on a hot day? When I got home I check under the hood and I had some coolant spray. What is the deal?
ok, It only does it when I am pushing it really hard. Normal driving it does fine. what should I look for when inspecting the thermostat?
A steam pocket can prevent the thermostat from opening and may cause the engine to overheat. You may need to bleed the system. Check your system for leaks as well since this could cause the high temps if your levels aren't up to par. Also, make sure both your fans are turning on and that they haven't crapped out since it's not unheard of.
thanks, I'll check the fans even though I was going pretty fast when it did, there should have been plenty of air flow. The system hasn't been opened up in some time, and the level hasn't dropped. I will check for leaks anyway. I'm thinking about putting the stock therm back in and see if it still does it. If it still overheats I'll have to take it in for warranty. I just really really really hate going to the dealership.
so its a 180 therm then? The air pocket might be your problem. Did you bleed it real good. It took me a while to get mine to air out
You wouldn't be the first to go back to the stock stat. A number of us have had problems with overheating and heater core hoses "blowing off" with the 180 degree stat (spring clamps are used to keep these heater core hoses in place). I've gone back to the 195 degree Dodge diesel stat (which runs closer to 190 degrees) after I lost a heater core hose, and overheated with the 180 degree stat. I've not had a problem since (that was 12 months ago). "HoustonSRT8" on the cherokee site has gone back to the stock stat for the same reason (disconnected heater core hose), and has never had a problem since. I don't pretend to have the answer, but I wonder if it's a restriction in the coolant flow under heavy use, since the stock stat seems to have a larger opening than the 180 degree stat. One alternative perspective is the youtube video of the DCX engineers who did the 4 wheel burnouts with the Jeep SRT8 a couple of years ago; and when they stopped, the driver got out, and mentioned how he had pegged the coolant temps in the red! (which makes me wonder about the cooling reserve built into the spec radiator and/or some other issue related to the cooling system). Irrespective, from what I've read, most people with problems of overheating have the 180 degree stat installed. Pieter
Skye call me I can tell ya how to fix all of this All you need to do is set the fan setting for the 180 T-stat like what 1bad4dr posted and keep the coolant overflow tank level below the blue mark. I siphened (sp?) mine down below that mark and used the fan setting provided by 1bad4dr and that solved my problems
Are you sure you installed the dog ear bleeder valve on the top just like it is stock, if you installed the T-Stat with the dog ear on the bottom that would cause a problem
I ordered a JET "high flow" 180 degree thermostat. It should be in today, or tomorrow. We might end up changing it at the track. So we will be able to check the dog ear then.
