In Mexico need advice on over heating

[AZ-Matt]

Hi guys, I am currently down in Mexico and my daughter‘s two door overheated badly in the Sand dunes. There was a lot of steam coming from the engine. We let it cool down to normal engine temperatures and I towed her jeep out to the road it seems to be running OK but we haven’t been able to go at highway speeds yet. What I am wondering is do you think there is anything I need to worry about driving back to the states. It seems like that it was the turbo that overheated.

Sponsored

 

[longfiredragon]

Well we now know that the 2.0 L has issues with the bolts on the thermostat housing coming loose as well as the bolts underneath on the water pump housing. There is a TSB on the water pump bolts. Not an actual issue with something wrong with the engine, but rather Jeep QC.

I would check the bolts on the thermostat housing. Takes less than 5 min. And it's right over the top of the turbocharger. Remove the black plastic cover and there right there, 3 of them. The bolts on the water pump housing are a little more difficult but can be reached with the right tool. Look on here under 2.0 water leak for more info. I am not good at posting links.

I would for sure check the coolant level and add as necessary.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[Old Dogger]

It sounds like you have the 2.0. There has been a problem with coolant leaks. So look for a leak around the front of the engine. Check you coolant level and add as needed. Then all you can do is see how it runs. The engine may all ready be toasted.

 

[Left Field]

@AZ-Matt
Check your dipstick too. Over-full may mean coolant leaked into the oil, most commonly from a blown head gasket. If it is over-full, loosen the oil drain plug just until it drips and check if its coolant (it goes to the bottom).

If that's ok, run it a bit, then check the dipstick again. Clear/amber = good. Mocha = coolant leaking into the oil. Probably want to check it again once in a while as you are driving too.

Also notice your exhaust for steam. Sometimes a blown head gasket leaks into one or more of the cylinders which may result in visible steam in the exhaust, especially at start-up.

Running the engine with any coolant in the oil or cylinders will rapidly cause engine failure.

LF

 

[AZ-Matt]

Happy to report we made it home. Jeep seems to be running just fine but I am taking it in just to make sure. Her Jeep is a sport on 32" and I think she was too aggressive with the throttle and those high gears (stock) made the engine work way too hard in the sand. Frankly, a little disappointed in the 2.0 sport. Huge difference between a rubicon and a sport. I was doing way more 'stuff' with no issues. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

Happy to report we made it home. Jeep seems to be running just fine but I am taking it in just to make sure. Her Jeep is a sport on 32" and I think she was too aggressive with the throttle and those high gears (stock) made the engine work way too hard in the sand. Frankly, a little disappointed in the 2.0 sport. Huge difference between a rubicon and a sport. I was doing way more 'stuff' with no issues. Oh well, live and learn.

Gearing issue more than anything….

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Gearing issue more than anything….

Gearing doesn’t make the engine overheat.

 

[Headbarcode]

Gearing doesn’t make the engine overheat.

Gearing shouldn't directly cause overheating, but if there's an underlying issue, taller gears can help exploit it. Taller gearing keeps the rpms lower and more fuel efficient at highway speed cruising, but the trade off is a higher load on the engine when accelerating. Not to mention, driving through soft ground is like having the ebrake partially engaged.

 

[John VonJeep]

Glad y'all made it home. It's cool that you have a daughter that bought a Jeep. I hope mine do! You obviously raised her well.

How was Mexico? Where did you go?

 

[Megawatt]

I remember early JKs getting overheated and many were drivers in 4hi while driving slow off road. 4 lo prevented overheating. Later JKs also had a larger cooler added. Was she in 4 hi or low on the dunes?

I’m not saying to drive 40 mph in 4lo all day but if your only doing 10 mph then lo can help prevent overheating. Never had over heating issues with my JKU or Rubi.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

Gearing doesn’t make the engine overheat.

Lugging the engine makes it work harder….

 

[Zandcwhite]

I remember early JKs getting overheated and many were drivers in 4hi while driving slow off road. 4 lo prevented overheating. Later JKs also had a larger cooler added. Was she in 4 hi or low on the dunes?

I’m not saying to drive 40 mph in 4lo all day but if your only doing 10 mph then lo can help prevent overheating. Never had over heating issues with my JKU or Rubi.

A sport in 4LO can absolutely run 40+ all day in 4LO. In 8th gear 4LO it ends up at a 6.3-1 final drive ratio, or somewhere between 4th and 5th gears final drive ratio in a stock Rubicon in 4HI. The tall axle gears and taller transfer case gears don't give much crawl ratio, but it does allow for some speed in LO range.

 

[AZ-Matt]

Glad y'all made it home. It's cool that you have a daughter that bought a Jeep. I hope mine do! You obviously raised her well.

How was Mexico? Where did you go?

Rocky Point which is just 4 hours from Pheonix. Easy drive and a fun place to go. Have another daughter turning 16 soon and she wants a jeep too. As we all know, it can get a little expensive.

Sponsored