So you haven't seen the temps go down with it. Interesting! Maybe the issue is in large measure the fan, lack of flow thru the radiator and trapping hot air in the engine compartment. What is the story on the SPal fan? Do you have a link to it? Does it have it's own thermostat and what is it's CFM?

Let us know how it performs.

 

Not really since I seem to be running the same temp ranges you are. The spal fan is 100% waterproof that is the main reason why I am getting it(i'VE KILLED 5MOTORS already), two other members have gotten it already and do say it seems to have a lot more power. I have the 30102082 model it is a 2470cfm rating, not sure what the stock is. I will be nice to see what temps it runs and how fast it cools down compared to the stock. I am just going to run it the way this guy did on here for now. I will see how it runs and then decide if I will rewire it with its own relays. It seems for some reason to only run on high speed wiring it direct to the existing wires I''ll know moreo tomorrow when I install it. Check out this install write up.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/spal-fan-install-85806/


edit: here is link to the fan, it has a programmable controller listed below it but the Spal engineer said we wouldnt be able
to use that for some reason, I think I am going to ask him about that again.

ht tp://www.spalusa.com/store/main.aspx?p=itemdetail&item=30102082

 

For an electric fan the "fan on" temperature with a 195 degree thermostat should be 215 degrees, and 200 degrees for a 180 degree thermostat. You always want your "fan on" to be 20 degrees higher than your thermostat. There are three fan speeds for a stock JK, 215 for low speed and a medium and high which are both set for 225 degrees.

With the Superchips Flashpaq you can adjust the individual fan speed settings, and currently with a 180 degree thermostat I have low set at 200, medium at 210 and high still at 225.

Oil temperatures will also run 30-40 degrees hotter than the coolant temperature. There isn't any issues with oil sludging if your vehicle is ran long enough to open a 180 degree thermostat as it will allow any water in the oil to reach it's boiling point. If you were running a 165 degree thermostat it's a quite different story.

As for temperatures and it not really making a difference, it certainly does. If your medium fan setting doesn't kick on until 225 degrees, I can guarantee you'll hit 225 degree coolant temperatures. If the medium setting comes on at 210 or 215 the temperature may never rise in excess of that temperature.

 

I ran a 180 thermastat for a while with a Jet stage 2 module and the fuel milage went way down, put the stock thermostat back in and the mileage came back. Did anyone else who has tried the lower thermostat lose mpg too?


Chris

 

If your vehicle doesn't reach operating temperature in cool or cold weather it's gas mileage will suffer. Kind of like the winter gas myth, when all it is would be the longer time for the vehicle takes to reach operating temperature and sucks more fuel than it does when at operating temperature.

Running a 180 degree thermostat when the outdoor temperatures are in the 50s or lower will kill mpg and also likely never allow your vehicle to achieve proper operating temperature. You still really need your coolant to be pushing through the system at a temperature that isn't going to close the thermostat again. They are definitely a summer only part.

 

I may be off a bit, but I am interested to here if anyone running hot has off road lights in front of their grill. I can not help but wonder if obstructing the flow through the grill has an effect on the temps. I know these are electric fans, but air forced through forward motion must help as well.

I bought my bumper and winch combination with keeping my grill clear, I have since done the grill mod which may add some restriction. I have no problem with temp. just finished a 1500 mile trip through Az.

I have seen quite a few JKs with 3 or 4 9" lights winches bumpers and grill mods. They can't have the same air flow as stock configuration.

 

Dwitko, that is a very good point. My biggest hang-up with putting a winch on is the impact to my radiator airflow. I live in AZ, my A/C performance is marginal at best. I haven't had cooling problems, but am worried about the winch pushing it over the top.

How ever much I like the grill mod too (styling and protection from stones), I am worried about it's affect on A/C performance and overall engine cooling affect.

One alternative to increasing the overall cooling capacity that might be more cost effective is to add an engine oil cooler. Would have to tap into a pressure line like under the oil pressure sensor. You'd have to make some return line and tap it back into the oil pan or in thru a expansion plug. Can use same heat exchanger as for the A/T's. This would cool your engine oil directly thus increasing the capacity of the system.