i have an 89 with a stock cooling system an i just put a mechanical water temp gauge in. and changed the coolant. i have an idiot light cluster so i never knew what temp it was running at.
i have heard it is kinda hard to install a mechanical gauge because if you kink the metal tube thing your screwed. i dont think i kinked it but i dunno if the reading is messed up or not. i drove the jeep around town for about 30 min and it slowly went up to about 175-180 and leveled off. i thought these jeeps were supposed to operate at 210-220?
it was about 70 outside and starting to get dark. did i not give it enough time to warm up all the way
i have heard it is kinda hard to install a mechanical gauge because if you kink the metal tube thing your screwed. i dont think i kinked it but i dunno if the reading is messed up or not. i drove the jeep around town for about 30 min and it slowly went up to about 175-180 and leveled off. i thought these jeeps were supposed to operate at 210-220?
it was about 70 outside and starting to get dark. did i not give it enough time to warm up all the way
Senior Member
My 89 runs 175-185 no matter what time of year I just replaced almost everything on my cooling system and it still is 175-185
Senior Member
Constant @ just under 210 degrees here.
But in the winter its a little lower (duh)
But in the winter its a little lower (duh)

CF Veteran
My '87 seems to run at 150-180 indicated.
New radiator, hoses, thermostat, coolant bottle, cap.
I have always thought the gauge reads on the low side.
Got up to maybe 200 indicated one time.
New radiator, hoses, thermostat, coolant bottle, cap.
I have always thought the gauge reads on the low side.
Got up to maybe 200 indicated one time.
i took it on a little trip today, and got it up around 190-200 after a highway run i think its all good thanks guys.
Newbie
on my 1990 i run about 220-230 all the time and its been like that for the last few years no problems
turn the heat on and it goes down to like 210
turn the heat on and it goes down to like 210
CF Veteran
I usually run around 180-200...average I'd say would be 190 during summer....if the outside temp got over 95, I ran warmer that 200. However winter is now here.
Former Sponsor
160-200 for me depending on how im driving it.
kick the fan on and itll go down to 120.
it used to run at 240 with the old radiator lol
kick the fan on and itll go down to 120.
it used to run at 240 with the old radiator lol