G'day Guys, Wondering if anyone has some suggestions. KJ CRD overheats when towing caravan up steep hills. Dealer flashed computer said that it was a fix for false temp readings. Still overheats despite locking tranny in 2nd. Funny thing is when I pull over and let engine idle for a few minutes it cools down extremely quickly, like temp guage drops like a stone. After temp has come down I can carry on up a mountain with no more overheating. Very strange. Any ideas --Thanks Rusty Roo

Rusty, this is a fairly common problem for some people, and some KJs. There was a Tech Service Bulletin out on this for certain years of the KJ (2005 mainly I think). It did involve a flash to correct the temp gauge performance.

I also know of one KJ that was found to have a faulty viscious fan (the one driven off the front of the engine) that was causing a higher than normal temp reading. A cooling system guy or a mechanic can test that for you (basicaly involves holding the blade stationary while starting the vehicle and looking for clutch takeup with rpm, don't try it yourself you might lose a finger).

How heavy is the caravan?

If your going to be towing, get an auxiliary transmission cooler installed (this will save you $ later in transmission issues).

Your in Sydney? Watch for the next KJ Picnic Day annoucnement.

I vote fan clutch.

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2006 CRD http://www.UtahPowderCoatings.com/ http://www.gorecon.com/ I'm kind of a big deal.
RL rear bumper, ARB front bumper, Mile Marker winch, Power Tank, Skids by Mopar & Skid Row, RL Super Skink Sliders, 235/85R16 MTR, Air Flow Snorkel, DTT, 4.10 gears, Frankenlift II, Katskin leather, JL Audio stereo, Rosen video.

Are there any DTCs set?

Thanks Guys, fan coupling was checked by dealer and found to be okay. Last post DTC's ?
Van weighs 1750kgs gross. Dealer also flashed the comp for the faulty readings. Thaks Glen, are the picnic days announced on this forum? Rusty

DTC = Diagnostic Trouble Code viewed with code scanner. Must not have had any or the dealer would have told you.

Is this a Kimberly Karavan?

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2005 Black CRD Sport
All J CRD Frankenlift with 500 fronts, Boulderbars, and Superskid
Kilby Gas Skid
Yukon Rear Axles
265/75 16 TrXus M/T's and Bridgestone Revo's
Fumoto Valve
Aero Turbine 2525
Rock Lizard Komodo Bumper
Sundance Custom's Front Bumper

I'm also pulling a 1300kg Caravan with my KJ here in South Africa ... during summer, when I pull up a mountain pass, the KJ will heat up alot when it's a loooooong pull ...I just switch off the aircon, and whoooop!...down comes the temp. The aircon radiator sits infront of the water radiator, and becomes so hot, that the warm air is not sufficient enough to cool off the water going through the water radiator. My father in law had the same problem in the earlier years when pulling caravan (with all cars from Ford V6's to Jeep wagoneers)....he gave me the tip, and it works like a charm ... only happened once to me though ...

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03 Jeep Liberty 2.8CRD, Auto, All stock (hey I need to start SOMEWHERE don't I?)
"Jeep ... making life a FUN experience"

While inquiring about transmission shudder, one trans shop said that the excessive heat from the TC could cause excess transmission heat - which would bleed over to the engine radiator since the coolers are so close to each other.

Just a thought. My CRD overheats going up a freeway pass at speed - no trailer. Never noticed it in the first year of ownership. Seemed to happen after I put an IM tune. Shudder increased also after the tune.

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rgill
2006CRD