Hi all, 1st time poster. I have a question on a cooling issue that I cannot seem to figure out.
We have a 2008 Jeep liberty with the sky slider roof ,don't get me started on that thing, (5k later and its is fixed). It did not come with the factory towing package but I added it using all the oem parts suggested on this site especially the clutch fan.
We have a 17ft travel trailer total weight 3k lbs full loaded (coachman clipper 16fb) . have towed for the past 5 years with our KK and have never had an issue. Up mountains in VT, ect last year we took it to Disney in mid May. No issues.
This year we decide to go back to FL. here is some maintenance that was done at a local shop prior to the trip:
Thermostat housing was leaking ( Replaced both housing and t-stat (not oem))
Drive drive shaft had excessive play ( sent out to be rebuilt)
We are in s Jersey and we took the cape may ferry to get to N Carolina for a overnight stop. We made it fine but I did notice the temp gauge was just a bit past the center mark the whole time. This was not normal but I didn't thank anything was wrong as it seemed to hold where it was. Total miles to NC was about 525 towing. The next morning we take off to get the GA before nightfall. The temp outside was 74 and it was a bit more humid. We get about 50 miles and the truck get hot the temp gauge was about 3/4 and on its way to red... I pull over and then the alarm went off. Shut down the engine and get a tow to a local shop ( another long part of the story). anyway the shop cant fid anything wrong with the cooling system. So they flush the cooling systems give me new coolant and replace my rad cap and send me on my way.
Again the temp is just about 1 notch after center, the whole way to Tampa (average temp was 79-82 low humidity). So I figure . were good and the flush fixed it. Not so fast.
We leave Tampa and goto Orlando, temps now in the near 90's high humidity. we get on the highway AC is on and as always in tow haul mode...the temp on the car starts getting higher and higher
as I try to maintain 60 mph. no good ..the faster I go the hotter it gets turn off the ac... gets hotter ??? I know right. I have always been told to not run the ac when the car is running hot but running the ac kept the temp down a notch. I thin I know now why this is, using the ac makes the electric fan run. So yea I got that. So I am pondering what the hell could be wrong. I know from experience that an engine that is suffering from a cooling systems problem does not cool down when you slow down. So I figured maybe it was the transmission adding more heat to the radiator form the stress of towing maybe the fluid is wearing down. take it to a local jeep dealer and they give the truck a full checkup, passed with flying colors. I decide I get a full drivetrain service done, tranny fluid ,transfer axles. No help. still running hot. At this point I am willing to replace the entire cooling system (radiator, waterpump hoses ,ect) Take a look at this video: Any input welcome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-907eufL6Y&t=37s