I recently took a trip with my gf down to see her parents (about an hour and a half drive) and about halfway through, where the e-brake handle is right above the transmission tunnel on 91 XJ got really hot. I pulled over and tried to let it cool down but had to push through anyway. The temperature on the jeep didn't rise anything above 210 (electric fan wired to a switch) but the rest of the way there and almost the entire way back, the transmission tunnel was unbearably hot. This has happened in the past when I make a long ish trip but this is the longest trip and I really noticed it. Anybody have anything like this happen? Thanks guys!

 

Checked your fluid or changed it recently?

 

If you're talking about the coolant, then yes because I've changed the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing unit (took thermo out for the summer) fan clutch, and wired my electric fan to a switch. Each one was a pain in the *** because of the clean up!

 

You know there is fluid in the transmission that needs to be maintained and changed right? No fluid or bad fluid equals no bueno

 

Check transfer case fluid also.

 

Crawl underneath when it does it and make sure the cat isnt glowing cherry red. The floorpan can get quite toasty when/if they go nuclear.

 

I was going to say, if it is abnormally hot (I could probably cook eggs on my XJ trans tunnel when I am stuck in traffic in 100*F heat), it could be your engine running lean. It would cause the EGT (exhaust gas temperature) to rise and heat the floor up.

 

 

This is common out here in the desert. Hot out with A/C on during long extended runs. And I mean just shy of lighting the carpet on fire fry an egg on it kind of hot.

 

Top it off if its low and see if things change.

 

 

Do you think it is possible someone may have had the carpet out of that and maybe removed the insulation under there for some reason? That would do it...

 

 

What's the condition of your radiator? Could be the trans cooler side of it isn't doing it's job.

I stripped out my interior last summer. Up front there was a foil covered insulator maybe 18" square under the carpet. Thing is I didn't remember to reinstall it. Hasn't seemed to make a bit of difference. While the carpet was out I had to use a couple throw rugs and rubber floor mats to keep the heat under control but all in all I don't believe I'm getting the amount of heat you are.

 

Hope you are doing well Earl! I think the key in this is that the problem seems to arise during sustained long runs. Back when I was a kid out here in the desert it took me awhile to understand that when someone stopped and took a break to "let their car cool down" they were not talking about just the engine and running gear. It was the whole car floor and all! lol