Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

What did you do to your JK today?

Ok with 215xxx miles on this bad boy, I attempted to remove the EGR valve, notice i said attempted to, not a single bolt would budge.

Sprayed them down last night with Kroil.

Put my gear wrench the bottom EGR bolt and nothing, Nadal, no budge. So I get another wrench to use as a cheater.

I put everything my 180 lbs butt could into and still nothing, finally I said F it and put all my tools up.

Not going to worry about it as there is no issues with it now, code is for valve stuck closed.

Spayed Kroil in the valve opening and will see if that has any effect.

I'd leave it be if it's stuck closed. Probably the best thing that could've happened to the engine itself.
 
Ok with 215xxx miles on this bad boy, I attempted to remove the EGR valve, notice i said attempted to, not a single bolt would budge.

Sprayed them down last night with Kroil.

Put my gear wrench the bottom EGR bolt and nothing, Nadal, no budge. So I get another wrench to use as a cheater.

I put everything my 180 lbs butt could into and still nothing, finally I said F it and put all my tools up.

Not going to worry about it as there is no issues with it now, code is for valve stuck closed.

Spayed Kroil in the valve opening and will see if that has any effect.

If you have to revisit the issue, try thermal shock. Heat the bolt heads with a small propane plumbing solder torch and then put an ice cube on the bolt head, or some method of bringing the temp down fast. It helps if you have an infrared temp gun to watch that you don't get too hot. 375 to 500 f should be a good range.

Kroil the crap out of it for a couple days before you start the project. Make sure the kroil has dried before applying fire (don't ask how I know this).

Wait, this is Cooper I am responding too. He knows all these tricks from the TJ forum, LOL.
 
If you have to revisit the issue, try thermal shock. Heat the bolt heads with a small propane plumbing solder torch and then put an ice cube on the bolt head, or some method of bringing the temp down fast. It helps if you have an infrared temp gun to watch that you don't get too hot. 375 to 500 f should be a good range.

Kroil the crap out of it for a couple days before you start the project. Make sure the kroil has dried before applying fire (don't ask how I know this).

Wait, this is Cooper I am responding too. He knows all these tricks from the TJ forum, LOL.

Wait we have EGR valves on TJ's????? :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: WSS and mjonesjr84
We finished up three boys Jeep today with the steering gear box, tie rod, and radiator.

Once we started it up noticed smoke coming from the passenger side exhaust manifold area. It is coming from the front hole of the heat shield. He changed the oil and said he spilt some while pouring the oil in. Hopefully that is it, but seemed to smell more like exhaust. But it also continued to smoke after we turned it off.

Would be terrible if something else happened when it got hot.

Picked up the HF split beam 1/2’ Icon torque wrench. It worked well and was nice having the 5 degree flexibility to position it around the track bar etc.

IMG_0096.jpeg
 
Wait, this is Cooper I am responding too. He knows all these tricks from the TJ forum, LOL.

What you really meant to say was ..... wait this guy is the smart eleck who always tries to derail threads on the TJ forum.

He only answers questions that are simple, like help with Death Wobble or need help with my PCM

:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
Going down the thermostat rabbit hole again. Noticed the temp gauge is taking no time at all getting to normal running temps, like, less than a mile. But, it will trip the hi-speed fan on occasionally, and becoming more frequent. Coolant levels are good, but, as quickly as it's warming up, I'm thinking the t-stat is taking too long to open, or it's not opening all the way.
It did roll over 148k last week. I've only put 14k miles on her since I retired in 2022...

Any way, guys, she's gonna be up for sale in the near future. I'm thinking, other than mileage, with all the add-ons and overall condition, I can probably ask 18 and take 15 in this market.... we'll see.

Jeep in June.png
 
My recent knee injury (torn meniscus and strained MCL) has rendered my JKU almost too uncomfortable to drive for any more than 60 minutes at a time. I'm 6'6", so the legroom has always been limited, but I've managed to make it work for almost the entire 10 years I've had it. I'm avoiding knee replacement as PT has really helped and I'm living my life as I normally would. But, I'm turning 70 soon, and I'm looking at my last couple vehicles I may ever drive and I really want big comfort, like a 4-door pickup.
The Jeep may stay in the driveway for a bit, but the reality is the 2 of us don't need 4 vehicles. It's been very well cared for and we know enough people that someone will buy it for their kid headed off to college or whatever.
My wife has her MB SLK350, which stays in the garage and I don't fit in- useless to me. She also has a new Tahoe Z71 which is a really nice truck, but I rarely ever get behind the wheel, it's her DD.
Then there's me and my JKU- trusty, loyal and has never given me any problems. It'll be tough to see her go if I decide to.
 
My recent knee injury (torn meniscus and strained MCL) has rendered my JKU almost too uncomfortable to drive for any more than 60 minutes at a time. I'm 6'6", so the legroom has always been limited, but I've managed to make it work for almost the entire 10 years I've had it. I'm avoiding knee replacement as PT has really helped and I'm living my life as I normally would. But, I'm turning 70 soon, and I'm looking at my last couple vehicles I may ever drive and I really want big comfort, like a 4-door pickup.
The Jeep may stay in the driveway for a bit, but the reality is the 2 of us don't need 4 vehicles. It's been very well cared for and we know enough people that someone will buy it for their kid headed off to college or whatever.
My wife has her MB SLK350, which stays in the garage and I don't fit in- useless to me. She also has a new Tahoe Z71 which is a really nice truck, but I rarely ever get behind the wheel, it's her DD.
Then there's me and my JKU- trusty, loyal and has never given me any problems. It'll be tough to see her go if I decide to.

Totally understand. I had a bit of the reverse problem. I bought a crew cab f250 when I retired to tow our RV. We have also found that we preferred taking that on any longer trips/drives even without the RV. My wife loves it. She has an Escape as a DD and I wanted something smaller so I didn't have to always try to manage the truck for in town trips where parking is problematic. Always wanted a Jeep so the JK was acquired!
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators