2018 SportS suddenly engine overheating

[JJJEEEEEEPPP]

I have a 2018 JL Sport S 4DR 3.6L Automatic with 59K miles on it.
About 5 days ago in 72 degree weather, the engine fan started blowing at full power. I thought it was trying to cool down as AC was set at 70 degree.
Later same day and following days, same behavior. The engine fan started blowing at full power and I had no clue whats happening. The outside temp was in 60 and no AC/Heat was on, so I was not sure why the fan is blowing so much.
On christmas eve, 24th while driving within the city in 60 degree weather, the engine fan again started blowing at full power and Engine Overheating light came on.
I pulled off to the side of road and let the vehicle cool down. Coolant temp came to 200F and I started driving again, but then within a mile of driving the coolant temp started rising to 230-240 and fan started at full power and then engine overheat warning.
Luckily I was just 2mi away from dealership, so parked the jeep there and took an uber home. I forgot to check my coolant level before leaving. The total I drove after the first warning came was about 7mi, hope it did not ruin anything in the Jeep.

My question is, is it something I should try to fix myself or let the dealer take a look? I am not very skilled at working on the Jeep, but I can easily do oil changes etc. and follow detailed Youtube videos.
Jeep has never been to a dealership before and no fluid changes have been done till date as I do oil change/tire rotation. Anything I should be aware of before I go into the dealership to avoid getting ripped by them? Any advice on what to do in this case?

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[Jeep Wick]

Well, you need to know if it was low or leaking. Kind of low mileage for this to happen, but if it's full I would suspect the water pump or radiator.

 

[Dan M.]

I believe the powertrain warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles, so you might be in that range. I would therefore at least let the dealer diagnose the problem as a repair might be covered. I used to have a Cadillac CTS and I had a water pump go. It was covered under the powertrain warranty.

 

[Bobby Hank]

Have them check the oil cooler. My 2013 3.6 (previous Jeep) was overheating a bit when running, would cool on idle. Long story short, clogged oil cooler.

 

[mwilk012]

I believe the powertrain warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles, so you might be in that range. I would therefore at least let the dealer diagnose the problem as a repair might be covered. I used to have a Cadillac CTS and I had a water pump go. It was covered under the powertrain warranty.

There are no 2018’s still under warranty.


OP, you don’t have enough information here to make a decision. What really matters is, what are you able to fix yourself? No offense intended, but if you don’t have the ability or desire to replace the radiator yourself, why even go back to look at it?

 

[Camaroboi13]

Well, you need to know if it was low or leaking. Kind of low mileage for this to happen, but if it's full I would suspect the water pump or radiator.

I went through 3 water pumps on my 17 Grand Cherokee before 50k miles. First one went bad at 42k, then 48k, and the last one was a fluke because the second one was no good out of the box.

 

[flyer92]

I went through 3 water pumps on my 17 Grand Cherokee before 50k miles. First one went bad at 42k, then 48k, and the last one was a fluke because the second one was no good out of the box.

Just had my second water pump replaced on my 2016 Grand Cherokee. First one occurred around 75K miles, and the second at 88K. Luckily, it is a relatively quick job and my extended warranty paid for it all. I suspect I'll be experiencing the same issue with my JL at some point, so I always keep an eye the water pump in that vehicle too. Not a question of if it will fail, just when....

 

[Camaroboi13]

Not a question of if it will fail, just when....

Agreed. The first time around I would get a hinto of a smell every now and then, but no visible leaks on the ground. It was leaking so slowly that it was crystallizing and it looked like red vomit on the side of the engine. Never seen that before. Weird stuff.

 

[58Willys]

Check to see if your radiator is clogged with mud or debris.

 

[Bandit59]

I have a 2018 JL Sport S 4DR 3.6L Automatic with 59K miles on it.
About 5 days ago in 72 degree weather, the engine fan started blowing at full power. I thought it was trying to cool down as AC was set at 70 degree.
Later same day and following days, same behavior. The engine fan started blowing at full power and I had no clue whats happening. The outside temp was in 60 and no AC/Heat was on, so I was not sure why the fan is blowing so much.
On christmas eve, 24th while driving within the city in 60 degree weather, the engine fan again started blowing at full power and Engine Overheating light came on.
I pulled off to the side of road and let the vehicle cool down. Coolant temp came to 200F and I started driving again, but then within a mile of driving the coolant temp started rising to 230-240 and fan started at full power and then engine overheat warning.
Luckily I was just 2mi away from dealership, so parked the jeep there and took an uber home. I forgot to check my coolant level before leaving. The total I drove after the first warning came was about 7mi, hope it did not ruin anything in the Jeep.

My question is, is it something I should try to fix myself or let the dealer take a look? I am not very skilled at working on the Jeep, but I can easily do oil changes etc. and follow detailed Youtube videos.
Jeep has never been to a dealership before and no fluid changes have been done till date as I do oil change/tire rotation. Anything I should be aware of before I go into the dealership to avoid getting ripped by them? Any advice on what to do in this case?

I would not try to do the work myself. The under hood is so tight.

 

[JJJEEEEEEPPP]

Checked the coolant reservoir and it looked empty from outside. Will let the dealership take a look to make sure there are no leaks. I did not see any fluid dropping down where it's parked everyday.
Dealership needs 3-4 business days to diagnose ?

 

[mwilk012]

Well, you need to know if it was low or leaking. Kind of low mileage for this to happen, but if it's full I would suspect the water pump or radiator.

This is exactly backwards logic

 

[BenDiesel]

There are no 2018’s still under warranty.


OP, you don’t have enough information here to make a decision. What really matters is, what are you able to fix yourself? No offense intended, but if you don’t have the ability or desire to replace the radiator yourself, why even go back to look at it?

unless he got it in 2019 as a late batch 2018.

 

[mwilk012]

unless he got it in 2019 as a late batch 2018.

2019’s started being built in late summer of 2018.

 

[The Fixer]

Not looking to ruffle any feathers, but just as an FYI the 5-year/60K is from the date the vehicle is put into service. I bought a new 2018 JL in July of 2019 so I still have ~6 months left on my original powertrain warranty. It's possible (unlikely though) the OP is in the same boat. Mine sat on the lot for so long because no one in my area wanted a base-model Sport. Lucky me!!!!

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