OK this is a very simple question that I need help with. Right now it's about 69-72 degrees outside and consistently raining. As I was leaving school, about a half hour ago, I noticed that after my engine had warmed up that when I stopped to drop of my friend that my hood was steaming (it wasn't the engine, the heat of the hood + the cold water = steam....obviously). I was just curious if this is because it's just a "Jeep thing" or if my engine is running hotter than it should be (my temp gauge read just below 210, so if it is that my temperature sensor might be messed up).

Thanks again for the help

 

My guess is the steam is pretty normal. Both of my cherokees do it during the winter time.

 

All that heat trapped in the engine compartment rises, and if you run it w/o moving it will dry off the hood by steaming away the rain. Mine does the same up here. Old engine compartment blanket insulation doesn't help.

 

My friends S197 mustang does the same. First noticed it in the car wash!
Hot hood and water = steam.

 

The Xj did not have very good heat release from under the hood so it stays trapped under the hood, hence I believe your seeing the steam.

Just make sure your temp gauge stays in that bracket and you'll be ok.

I removed the cardboard/paper insert under my hood and installed vents so I now see the waves of heat escape from the vents. No issues in snow or rain (ie: doesn't flood with water or snow, etc).

Hope it helps

 

That's what I was thinking...thanks a lot guys.

I'm thinking about getting a hood vent or something but I want one that actually looks good, does anyone have any suggestions? (not worried about the heat inside the engine compartment or anything, just want one that looks good, my XJ needs a couple cosmetic makeovers.)