Have a radiator shop check the radiator over very thoroughly. Mine did that
too within the first two or three years I bought my new TJ and the radiator
was clogged with hard water deposits. Using only distilled or demineralized
water (available at the grocery store) will prevent that from happening in
the future.

If it's clogged, your only recourse is to replace it with an afternarket
radiator from someone like www.radiatorbarn.com/. Usually, a radiator can
be "rodded out" to remove the hard water deposits but the TJ's radiator has
a plastic top and bottom which prevents it from being resealed after being
taken apart for such an operation.

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
KC6TAY, PP-ASEL
The Zen Hotdog, make me one with everything!
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Hawkman" <samj344@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:93a5123b.0307072326.415bd77e@posting.google.c om...
> I have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L with an Automatic (bought new).
> 26000 or so miles, and 32" BFG All-terrain tires with NO lift. I
> live in Las Vegas and right now it is about 110 degrees out everyday.
> I've had the same problem every summer that I have been here. Two
> years ago, I took my jeep in for the same problem I have today, the
> engine temperature goes up to the red line when I have the A/C on for
> a few minutes and am running idle. Today, I was just sitting at the
> forever-long stop light for about 5-7 minutes. I watched the
> temperature rise and rise, until it said CHECK GAUGES. I immediately
> turned on my heater and (opened the windows)and watched the temp go
> down. Is this really normal.
> However, when I drive on the freeway, or am not stopped, the
> temperature is fine, but it can go a little above mid-way (sometimes
> upto 3/4 if you drive with A/C on for about an hour). Also when I
> drive on the freeway, the air is much cooler than at idle.
>
> I took my Jeep into the JEEP Dealer here two years ago, and they said
> that was normal. They checked my fluids and fan and said nothing is
> wrong. They said it is normal for the temperature to go up a bit and
> that I shouldn't listen to the gauge all the time. My warranty is now
> over, and if I go in again, they will charge $70 for a diagnostic fee.
> IS THIS REALLY NORMAL? It does not make any sense for a car this new
> to overheat and be NORMAL? Well thats what they claim at the major
> Jeep dealership here.
>
> I am going to be moving late this summer, and will require a U-Haul.
> I am very worried that my car will overheat if I leave it like this.
> I will have to go through Colorado and through the mountains/hills.
> That will put a lot of stress on the car with this heat and the
> U-Haul. If nothing is really wrong, would an extra engine fan help?
> Or do you have any suggestions? Should I take it someplace else?
> Should I try the other Jeep dealership and pay the $70 diagnostic fee?
>
> Thanks