can you put a low-temp stat in the JK???
the guy at 4wd hardware said NO because of the computer controlling everything on the JK. makes sense to me, but wanted others opinions. gimme your 2 cents plz... thanx

 

Why would you want to? It would just take a bit longer to get up to normal operating temperature.

 

Unless you ran a programmer that reset the computer, you would destroy your mileage as the comp would run rich trying to heat the engine up.

 

This is from a YAHOO!.Autos site:

How Temperature Affects Engine Operation
Coolant temperature is used for a variety of engine and emission control functions. The coolant sensor on late model engines tells the computer when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. This, in turn, affects fuel enrichment, spark timing, operation of the EGR valve, purging of the charcoal canister, etc. Even on many non-computer engines, thermal vacuum switches (TVS) that react to a specific coolant temperature are used to open and close various vacuum circuits that regulate fuel enrichment, timing and emissions.

If a colder thermostat is installed, the coolant may never get hot enough to trigger the appropriate control functions in the computer or TVS vacuum circuits. As a result the engine will run as if it were continually cold, which increases both fuel consumption and emissions. Too low an operating temperature also increases cylinder wear.

CAUTION: Under no circumstances should an engine be driven without a thermostat! This can produce thermal stress that may crack a head or block!

What about a hotter thermostat? A hotter than normal thermostat in a late model computer controlled engine may activate some control functions too quickly or out of sequence with other control devices (timer delays, etc.) --which could also have an adverse effect on driveability, fuel economy, performance and emissions.

 

funny that you should ask being that you're in PA b/c when i had my TJ in the Poconos a few years ago for Camp Jeep my TJ ran very very hot. i installed a low-temp stat and it never ran hot again and the A/C was always cold. i also installed a low-temp stat in my Trans Am for performance, so i thought i would put one in the JK. "running rich" was what the 4wd guy said now that you mentioned it.
so what about Royal Purple additive then? good,bad,don't bother?
thanx all

 

Don't change it out. Stick with OE.

 

royal purple additive?

 

This is a fallicy, and I can't explain your "never ran hot again"
The T-stat like posted stays closed untill normal temperature is reached, at which time it opens maintaining proper temperature, of between 190*-210*
Untill the normal temperature is reached the vehicle will in fact run rich.
If there is a problem where the vehicle overheats, installing a lower temp T-stat will do nothing for this problem but perhaps mask it awhile. Installing a 160* only means that it will open at 160* once the T-stat is open if there is an overheating problem the vehicle will continue to heat. The T-stat can do nothing to stop it.

 

lorrel is 110% CORRECT!!!!

 

TINMAN080 is 110% correct