The other day I drove my Jeep to the store and back--about 5 miles each way. When I got home I opened up the hood to see where I might be able to stick my new JK sticker. I was surprised to find that the metal stick that is used to hold the hood up was so hot I could barely hold on to it long enough to get it into the hole in the hood. I also noticed that the black plastic cover over the top of the radiator was quite warm. It was about 85 degrees and sunny, and my Jeep had been parked in the sun for about an hour while I was in the store, but I was surprised it would be so hot under the hood. The temperature guage read normal. So does that sound normal for it to be that hot under the hood after such a short drive?

 

No, it doesnt sound normal, why would you want to stick it under the hood?


... no idea about the heated hood prop. I havent had my hood open much.

 

The warmest weather I've had the pleasure of driving in (so far) was only around 60 degrees, and when I checked my Jeep's fluids on that day, my underhood area was also quite hot. The hood prop wasn't literally hot enough to burn me, but was uncomfortable to hold. I can only imagine that 85 degrees would make it worse, but I don't know one way or the other if this is SUPPOSED to happen, or if it's just our two Jeeps...

 

CAUTION: Read this before you throw the hood up against your windshield!

 

I decided to give my dealer a call. They said that it is completely normal for the hood prop to get pretty hot, so I guess I won't worry about it. Like you said, it was just uncomfortable to hold, but not like it could burn me or anything.

 

Thanks for following up on that and posting the answer - good to know.

 

They run hot. That is why the hot air comes out of the vents at 200 deg F.