Extremely Hot Engine Bay on JT Rubicon

[bigcheeshead]

I bought my Gladiator about 3 months ago and have noticed from day 1 that it was a bit too hot under the hood. I didn't think much of it since it was summer in AZ and 120 degree days were the norm. Well, yesterday I was four wheeling and punctured a tire. One of the guys that was helping me replace the tire put his hand on my hood and burned it so severely to the point where he wasn't able to drive with that hand! It was only 50 degrees outside so external temps are definitely not an issue anymore.

The only aftermarket parts I've added is a bumper, couple of rigid lights and a switch system. Also, I just noticed that electrical tape I used to wrap wires near the battery has completely melted. It doesn't appear to get as hot during regular driving but offroading in 4W L seems to exponentially increase the temps.

I've been monitoring all the gages in the offroad app and they're all at about 50% so nothing appears to be overheating other then the engine bay.

I will be calling the dealer tomorrow but was wondering if anyone else has experienced similar issue or any ideas what the cause may be?

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[TheSolarWizard]

Get an infrared thermometer and check around the Jeep.

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

I mean the jt just runs hot,cause ive had the same problem with my truck too were its just friggin hot as hell when im just just cruising and the oil temp was at 218 degrees somehow and i was concerned but oh well.........."pEOpLe sAY itL'l bE fIiNee....."

 

[MrZappo]

I mean the jt just runs hot,cause ive had the same problem with my truck too were its just friggin hot as hell when im just just cruising and the oil temp was at 218 degrees somehow and i was concerned but oh well.........."pEOpLe sAY itL'l bE fIiNee....."

218 oil temp is not hot. Oil needs to get to 212 just to evaporate any water in it from condensation.

218 coolant temp is a bit hot. Coolant should run about 190.

Now burning your hand severely on a hood? When it is 50 degrees outside? That seems a bit crazy.

Is your radiator fan kicking on?

I'd still have it looked at. Seems off to me.

 

[bigcheeshead]

WOW! So the Jeep dealership tried to wash their hands off the problem claiming that it's an electrical problem and is not covered under warranty due to aftermarket auxiliary lights. I ended up coming out and disconnecting the lights and the problem persisted.
Now they're claiming that they've called Chrysler and Chrysler told them not to do anything because I have a custom bumper and a winch! I offered to come out and remove the bumper and the winch but the dealer is teling me it won't make a difference because the modification has already permanently altered the airflow inside the engine bay!!!!
BTW. Dealership did acknowledge that it is indeed extremely hot inside the engine bay.

Besides the legal route, any other suggestions?

 

[Walldo]

Find a new dealer with a good service department.

 

[jurfie]

Which winch and bumper? If the winch sits on top of the bumper and blocks the radiator, it might cause a problem; but I’d suspect you’d be seeing the temp gauge rising in that case.

Dealer is a d-bag to not at least try and help.

 

[bigcheeshead]

Winch is SmittyBuilt XRC9500 the Fab Fours Matrix bumper. Both sit below the radiator. Dealership claims that it wasn't their decision but Chrysler. Like I said I have no problem removing the 6 bolts and adding the old bumper back in but they won't take it back anyways because the "airflow has already been altered"

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Why are you wrapping wires with tape.

undo everything and take to another dealer

 

[Jaxmax]

1.) Did you confirm the radiator fan is working?
Slow speed 4WD -Low requires the fan to be pulling the air across radiator, the winch and bumper are much less of a problem when slow speed, air is being pulled through raadiator by fan around any blockages.
2.) Coolant level correct, should show up at speed also, but perhaps enginen is working harder.
3.) Go to another Dealer, they did say it was an electrical problem caused by the lights, as long as they were not installed stupid, and you removed them how is that an electrical issue.
4.) I bet it is a fan issue, electrical or mechcanical

 

[bigcheeshead]

Why are you wrapping wires with tape.

undo everything and take to another dealer

I only wrapped the switch that came with Rigid harness so it wouldn't switch off from being bumped.

 

[jurfie]

Winch is SmittyBuilt XRC9500 the Fab Fours Matrix bumper. Both sit below the radiator. Dealership claims that it wasn't their decision but Chrysler. Like I said I have no problem removing the 6 bolts and adding the old bumper back in but they won't take it back anyways because the "airflow has already been altered"

Yeah, looking at that bumper it appears the winch would sit well below the grill. Not sure how the dealer could say it is affecting airflow.

And FCA wouldn't make that call as they are not looking at it; they rely on the dealer to report their findings and approve or deny warranty claims. The dealer is just trying to wash their hands of it. I'd get @JeepCares involved with a different dealer service shop, but be prepared that warranty coverage might still be denied; I'd ask for a diagnostic to fix this even if it ended up costing money to correct.

 

[CMac]

Find a new dealer with a good service department.

I wouldn’t take a fcuking HOT WHEELS car to these clowns.

You should tell everyone you know to avoid these morons.

 

[hjdca]

I would also agree with TheSolarWizard. Get an infrared thermometer and check the temperature of some key components when the hood is hot. For example,

1. Top of Radiator
2. Bottom of Radiator
3. Alternator
4. Battery, battery cables, winch cables, etc...

The fan should also be cranking, so, if the hood is that hot, I would check the fan.

 

[CMac]

1.) Did you confirm the radiator fan is working?
Slow speed 4WD -Low requires the fan to be pulling the air across radiator, the winch and bumper are much less of a problem when slow speed, air is being pulled through raadiator by fan around any blockages.
2.) Coolant level correct, should show up at speed also, but perhaps enginen is working harder.
3.) Go to another Dealer, they did say it was an electrical problem caused by the lights, as long as they were not installed stupid, and you removed them how is that an electrical issue.
4.) I bet it is a fan issue, electrical or mechcanical

Meh...based on a lot of the others around in here having similar issues...I’m gonna put money on #5....IT’S ANOTHER SHITTY DEALER ISSUE.

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