Normal running tempature
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
R u talking about engine coolant temp or tranny fluid temp?
Presuming u run a 195* t-stat and the total cooling system is performing at it's peak, normal engine coolant temp range would be say 190-200 in cold weather driving using the heater, up to say 215-225 hot weather driving using a/c.
As long as the gauge points +/- the middle (or the light stays off), all is good.
Using a 195* stat, the normal range will be say 190* to 225* throughout the 4 seasons of driving conditions.
Tranny fluid temp will run 130*-140* winter driving and 190*-200* summer driving.....higher if towing.
Presuming u run a 195* t-stat and the total cooling system is performing at it's peak, normal engine coolant temp range would be say 190-200 in cold weather driving using the heater, up to say 215-225 hot weather driving using a/c.

As long as the gauge points +/- the middle (or the light stays off), all is good.Using a 195* stat, the normal range will be say 190* to 225* throughout the 4 seasons of driving conditions.
Tranny fluid temp will run 130*-140* winter driving and 190*-200* summer driving.....higher if towing.
Last edited by djb383; Sep 8, 2014 at 10:03 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
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From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The 225* temp will bring the electric fan on or should for additional cooling before it hits that high and cool back down quickly to 210-215*. Other than that he is right on with the 190* or so for an average, mine runs about 180 most of the time in normal conditions.
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Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 110
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From: VA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes I was asking on engine temp. It has no thermostat in it now. Forgot to get it when I was putting back together yesterday. Getting it today. But it was running around 210 without it. I feel that's kinda on the high side. But I'm not sure that's why I'm asking.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Do u have access to a point-n-shoot infrared temp gun? The factory dash gauge is far from an accurate indicator of actual coolant temp and how coolant temp fluctuates, depending on driving conditions. I never said 190* or so was average.....I said "presuming u run a 195* t-stat, normal engine coolant temp range would be say 190-200 in cold weather driving using the heater". Running "about 180 most of the time" sounds like one is using a stat that is rated lower than a 195 stat, which changes everything, no? I'm not sure what the definition of "normal conditions" is.
Last edited by djb383; Sep 8, 2014 at 11:22 AM.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
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From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
210 is within the normal range for an XJ with 4.0L and quite average.
There's a lot more to the cooling system than just the thermostat. The clutch fan, which is very important, will move more or less air depending on how how it gets. If you aren't flying along in the winter it is not surprising your Jeep doesn't act differently.
There's a lot more to the cooling system than just the thermostat. The clutch fan, which is very important, will move more or less air depending on how how it gets. If you aren't flying along in the winter it is not surprising your Jeep doesn't act differently.
Last edited by salad; Sep 8, 2014 at 11:59 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
The thermostat does one thing only......determine minimum coolant temp. The rest of the cooling system components, their condition and driving conditions determine actual coolant temps above the stats rated temp.
What r the precise driving conditions when the coolant temp is actually at 210????......that would be the answer to the $64K question. Until the answer to that question is determined (hint, it's a trick question), the needle pointing at +/- the middle of the gauge just indicates indicates all is good, not that coolant temp is actually 210. The only thing truly accurate about 210, is that 210 is printed on the gauge.
210* is definitely within the range of normal lows/highs but cooling system condition and specific driving conditions determine when 210 is actually reached as the "average" temp. Wherever the needle points may not be always accurate when indicating an "average" temp, due to driving conditions constantly changing. .
What r the precise driving conditions when the coolant temp is actually at 210????......that would be the answer to the $64K question. Until the answer to that question is determined (hint, it's a trick question), the needle pointing at +/- the middle of the gauge just indicates indicates all is good, not that coolant temp is actually 210. The only thing truly accurate about 210, is that 210 is printed on the gauge.
210* is definitely within the range of normal lows/highs but cooling system condition and specific driving conditions determine when 210 is actually reached as the "average" temp. Wherever the needle points may not be always accurate when indicating an "average" temp, due to driving conditions constantly changing. .
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CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My 98 runs at 210 all day long. The only time I see it go above that is whan the ambient temp reaches 110deg, Then my temp will reach 214deg I have never seen it go above that except for one time, and that was when I drove into a swarm of butterflies and the filled the radiator and caused the temp to hit 225.
CF Veteran
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From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
.....and that's what most factory gauges r designed/rigged to do....to stay in the same area as long as factory temp parameters/ranges r being met. An aftermarket gauge will reflect the highs/lows of the factory temp parameters.
Last edited by djb383; Sep 8, 2014 at 04:42 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 32
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From: Temecula,Ca.
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My XJs temp gauge goes up and down with my scan gauge.My jks temp gauge is more of a dummy light with a needle (it just stays in one place till the temps get real hi).
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Good to know your your XJ gauge goes up/down.......seems as though most don't. Our other 3 family vehicles r like your JKs......once warmed up, needle never moves but the ScanGauge "tells it like it is" showing temps fluctuating up/down depending on the changing driving conditions throughout a days worth of driving.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Good to know your your XJ gauge goes up/down.......seems as though most don't. Our other 3 family vehicles r like your JKs......once warmed up, needle never moves but the ScanGauge "tells it like it is" showing temps fluctuating up/down depending on the changing driving conditions throughout a days worth of driving.
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