Is there any way to change the thermostat without draining the system? Just flushed it and my drain **** is blocked so i don't want to waste all that new coolant... Also what degree thermo should i put in there? I imagine it's original as the original owner was...well...I'm not going there but, my jeep runs consistently at 210 degrees.

 

They are meant to run at or around 210 degrees. The thermostat you need is a 180 degree. You can change it without too much coolant loss if you're smart about it.

 

That would mean..?

Im guessing elevating the front end. and Keeping the hose end high?

 

well the thermostat housing is at the top of the block. alls i did was put a bucket under the housing, loosened the hose clamps. I pinched off each hose as i pulled them off the housing, and had my buddy that was with my hold them up so coolant wouldnt come out of them. then i unbolted the housing and i forget how much coolant came out of there but i dont think it was much. pullout the old thermo, scrape off the old gasket put in the new thermo, put the new gasket on the housing and bolt it on. then carefully pinch off the ends of the hoses and put them back on the housing on one by one. then top off the coolant. theres probably an easier way. I just like doing it the long way.

 

You need a 195* not 180, and I see no problem with it running at 210. Thats what therye meant to be at, leave it alone

 

my bad

 

when you take the thermostat out you are going to lose a little coolant but not much, you will always lose some coolant when changing the thermostat, but maybe like 20oz. not much. i've done mine twice, i put a 160 thermostat in it, then joined this forum and realized that was a bad idea, so went back to 195

 

Thanks for the help. The only reason I was going to change it was because when I flushes the system, a lot of crap came out. But if that's normal then I'm not screwing with it till it needs it. How will I know when the thermostat goes?

 

when it goes bad? when your XJ starts over-heating i would think

 

It will either overheat (stuck closed) or run too cool (stuck open)

 

Do yourself a favor and get a quality Mopar thermostat for a few bucks more. A properly functioning thermostat in an XJ should run to close to 210 and get there fairly quickly.

 

I did my t-stat a few weeks ago, I went to drain the radiator level & couldn't even got to the drain valve... it's wedged in too tight to the headlight bucket & a wiring harness in that same area. I just pulled the t-stat housing & didn't lose too much coolant. I stuffed a rag in to soak up the coolant so I'd be able to install the new t-stat gasket dry.

 

X2 on the 195...Tj

 

No need to drain but you do loose a little coolant......just top it off when done. Personally, I prefer the 180F t-stat and the heater works plenty good. What's accurate about a temp gauge that goes to 210F and just stays there. I've never seen a factory temp gauge that's much better than an idiot light but hey, at least the XJ gauge has a few numbers vs C and H like most factory gauges. I use a ScanGauge and know exactly what's going on with regard to coolant temp and the coolant temp does NOT go to 210F and just stay there.

 

If you're fast enough...