Baja820

So this morning its four degrees and my heater no workie.... it worked fine yesterday!?!? was it just so cold that my Jeep didnt warm up? Should I put cardboard in front of the radiator? or is my heater core shot?

Billywam

I had the same thing happen to me with a Toyota PU after leaving it parked outside overnight in extremely cold temperatures. The radiator thermostat was stuck open and the engine couldn't warm up. I replaced the thermostat and solved the problem. Is your engine coming up to temperature?

Baja820

eh... sadly my xj came from the factory without a temp gauge....

JSwamper

i

Baja820

^^^ whats the temp up there?

JSwamper

r

84wagoneer

i had a dodge that was like that. change out the thermostat. its cheap and then you will have peace of mind knowing it works. it was -36 this morning and my heater worked, no cardboard or anything covering the rad

Baja820

JSWAMPER^^^ WTF?

Baja820

so you changed the thermostat and it fixed the prob?

84wagoneer

yep. it used to max out at about 62 degrees celcius, and no heater whatsoever in the winter. i could drive the truck for an hour solid, and the air was as fridgid as can be. swapped the thermostat (coolant that is at -30 is quite cold on the hands) and just like that it skyrocketed to 90 degrees and was glued there. and heat! tons of heat in the cab. best $6 i even spent.

but anyways, yes, that is where i would start. if your heater core was shot there would be a coolant leak in your cab. it could be plugged, but that is an uncommon occurance.

UserID6095

It should not plug like that over night. What 84wagoneer said is true. Get a temp gauge for that thing, these things need one.

I always let the heep warm up for five to ten mintues before I drive it in the cold. She is about half way to operating temp and putting out nice warm air. Better then a block heater, atleast for my area. It only gets -10* at the most extreme here. Best money I ever spent on it was a remote starter. Works great.

Baja820

Thanks guys Good info Im about two hours from home right now but as soon as i get home im changing it out!


Also how difficult is it to install a temp gauge?

UserID6095

Its not bad. Do you have a service manual/book? Like Chiltons?

Baja820

uh ... i think i do somewhere...

UserID6095

Quick how to:

Disconnect battery
Un plug coolant temp sensor
Disconnect upper hoses fromt the housing
Remove bolts for the housing
Remove and replace Temp Stat
Use a sealing compound when putting the housing on
Bolts go back on at 15ft lbs.

Reverse install and check fluid level