Greetings all - I currently have a HEMI V8 5.7L engine in my Jeep GC. I purchased it in 2006 when it had 2006 free miles on it, and got it in PA. While in PA. the temperature gauge never when over two tick marks below the half way mark. No matter what the temp was outside, it ALWAYS stayed two tick marks below the half way mark. And while there, back in 2010 I had a flush done. Moving forward to 2012, moved down to Aiken SC. in October of 2012. From Oct 2012 to March 2013 the temperature gauge again stayed the same until one day. On this day I was towing a trailer with some hay in it. Total weight was about 2,000lbs (-/+). Got home with it, pulled up and put the Jeep in park. Within 2 mins of doing that and standing by the Jeep, I heard the fan come on and was thinking I was standing by a Jet at take off. Well maybe not that loud, but I actually heard for the first time the fan came on. Turned off the engine, and looked under the hood to see if I had a coolant in the reservoir. None! So I added some water into it to make sure I could make it down to the store for some coolant. Put 50/50 into the reservoir. On the way back home, the needle stayed on the one tick below the half way mark, and when I had to stop for a light, the needle increased to 2 tick marks above the half way mark. Then I started to keep my eye on the needle, as the days down here are very hot and humid unlike up in PA. This when on for about three months. Leave the house, drive for about 2 miles up the road and there the needle was, one tick mark below the half way mark. Got to a red light, and the needle advanced two tick marks above the half way mark. Always checking the coolant and things like this. Had Firestone check it with the computer and nothing. Replace the cap, nothing. Had Pep Boys do a complete flush, changed the belt, pressure test nothing and oil changed. After that, on most days (75 and below) while driving the needle stays two tick marks below the half way mark until I hit a red light, then the needle starts to climb to the half way point. After I start driving again, the needle drops down to the two tick marks. According to the Peb Boys that after driving it around and things, the water temperature is running about 203. Any clue why I lost my two tick marks below or is this common in SC.?
Thanks for the help.

 

You are in a hotter climate. 203 is about perfect temp. I would not fret over gauge moving that little. It will go up when stopped, in traffic or when towing. As long as it is not hitting the hot mark. Don't worry about it. SC summers are Hottttt and humid. Welcome to the south !

 

What? The engine is running hotter when pulling a trailer in a warmer climate? And running hotter at any time the weather is warmer? NORMAL

 

My 2000 4.0 WJ has NEVER gotten over the halfway mark, EVER! Maybe I'm lucky, but I'm amazed because after a long relationship with Chevy trucks, I've gotten in the habit of watching engine temp. My electric fan is slightly out of balance so I can feel when it's running, it creates a low grade vibration in the floor and steering wheel. I've looked at it and there is a steel balance clip on one of the blades, so I'm assuming I've nothing to worry about.

The fan runs anytime I come to a stop and pause for more than a couple of minutes, or sit and idle for a while. I've even felt it kick in during a long upgrade with the cargo area loaded. The guage never gets more than a needle's width above or below the center mark.

Again, I'm assuming your fan is balanced properly so you won't hear or feel it until you're stopped. Your engine is bigger than mine, so I'm assuming more heat generated. More heat is also generated in the transmission when towing. That's why it is suggested that you lock out the O/D when towing.

 

it's common. don't pay it too much attention