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Started By
Message
Jeep TJ 4.0 Engine overheating
Posted on 7/19/17 at 10:06 am
Posted on 7/19/17 at 10:06 am
A few days ago, after my 45 minute commute home, I noticed a burping sound after shutting it off. Temp had been normal, but saw the coolant reservoir tube bouncing around with the burping sound. It was a little low, so I added coolant. Wasn't completely empty or anything, about half full. That was on Sunday.
My morning drive to work, I checked the past couple of days and no burping sound, but in the afternoons when it is hotter, I notice it when I get home. Coolant level was fine yesterday afternoon. I did a little research but found this was common in hot environments for the pressure to build and the burping sound in the tube.
This morning, about halfway to work, my check gauges light came on and my temp was approaching redline. I pulled off, let it cool down few minutes, and noticed the fluid in the coolant reservoir had a slight red/pink tint to it. Obviously I'm going to take it to a mechanic today, but just wondering what it could be. The temp would increase quickly, then go back down quickly as well. There were no leaks when I crawled under it, and nothing was steaming out of the radiator or anywhere else in the engine bay.
My morning drive to work, I checked the past couple of days and no burping sound, but in the afternoons when it is hotter, I notice it when I get home. Coolant level was fine yesterday afternoon. I did a little research but found this was common in hot environments for the pressure to build and the burping sound in the tube.
This morning, about halfway to work, my check gauges light came on and my temp was approaching redline. I pulled off, let it cool down few minutes, and noticed the fluid in the coolant reservoir had a slight red/pink tint to it. Obviously I'm going to take it to a mechanic today, but just wondering what it could be. The temp would increase quickly, then go back down quickly as well. There were no leaks when I crawled under it, and nothing was steaming out of the radiator or anywhere else in the engine bay.
4
Posted on 7/19/17 at 10:29 am to TU Rob
sounds like there is an air pocket or bubble in the radiator. For it to burp, it has to get air from somewhere possibly a cracked radiator or bad radiator cap.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:13 am to TU Rob
Red tint could be rust which may have been stirred up by the "burping". Maybe a thermostat going bad. Maybe not completely closed but not opening to fully let flow happen.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:15 am to Boudreaux35
Don't thermostats typically go bad in the open position?
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:21 am to Boudreaux35
quote:
Maybe a thermostat going bad. Maybe not completely closed but not opening to fully let flow happen.
I'm hoping it is something simple like that, and not a bad radiator or engine block. I already ordered a radiator cap the other day, it just hasn't come in yet. I had been driving it easy and keeping an eye on things, and all of a sudden this morning it jumped up in temp. Like I said, I'm seeing no leaks so hopefully the radiator is fine. Just dropped it off at a mechanic and I'll know something soon.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:25 am to s14suspense
quote:
Don't thermostats typically go bad in the open position?
Have had several go bad over the last 40 years, always stuck closed.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:35 am to s14suspense
quote:
Don't thermostats typically go bad in the open position?
Can go bad in either position. Probably more common in the closed position, at least in my experience.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 11:44 am to s14suspense
quote:
Don't thermostats typically go bad in the open position?
If you buy one with a failsafe. If not it's probably 80/20 of failing while closed/open.
Me personally OP, I'd buy a new cap and thermostat, and flush the system and check for leaks, replace any leaking hoses connections, and refill with new coolant and distilled water. It doesn't sound like a water pump, radiator, or fan clutch. Be sure to check up against the firewall where the heater core lines go in when checking for leaks. I chased a similar issue in my wife's Acadia that ended up being a plastic connection that had cracked and was weeping coming off the heater core and into a bypass hose.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 12:01 pm to TU Rob
quote:
had a slight red/pink tint to it
Check your transmission (if automatic) for antifreeze
Posted on 7/19/17 at 12:09 pm to Barneyrb
quote:
Check your transmission (if automatic) for antifreeze
Mine is a 5 speed.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 1:37 pm to TU Rob
its a common problem with the 4.0L. I had it happen a few times to mine. Make sure you burp (get all air out of the system) as you can. I replaced my hoses, thermostat, and added a coolant additive and it helped and didn't do it again. search it on the TJ page of the jeepforum.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 1:47 pm to Perrydawg
quote:
sounds like there is an air pocket or bubble in the radiator. For it to burp, it has to get air from somewhere possibly a cracked radiator or bad radiator cap.
Or, I hate to say, a head gasket or head.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 2:15 pm to cajuncarguy
quote:
Or, I hate to say, a head gasket or head
Unfortunately, that was it. Blown gasket. What's reasonable for a small shop to repair this? I need a new gasket, water pump, and thermostat. I was quoted around $2,500.
EDIT: I called back, and it needs the head machined as well. He also said that quote included a new radiator.
This post was edited on 7/19/17 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 7/19/17 at 3:15 pm to TU Rob
Had the same drivetrain.
Troubleshot for days
Swapped radiator and ta da. All better.
Woundup doin ot twice, new rad only $200
Troubleshot for days
Swapped radiator and ta da. All better.
Woundup doin ot twice, new rad only $200
Posted on 7/19/17 at 3:30 pm to TU Rob
quote:
Unfortunately, that was it. Blown gasket. What's reasonable for a small shop to repair this? I need a new gasket, water pump, and thermostat. I was quoted around $2,500.
EDIT: I called back, and it needs the head machined as well.
Yikes! Does that quote include the machining?
Thermostat is cheap. I've never changed a pump on the 4.0, but the 3.8l isn't horrible. If I was estimating a cost to do that in a shop, I would guess about $600-800. I've got no clue on the head gasket replacement and machining. Sounds like it would cost a lot.
My opinion is how much do you really like that jeep?
Posted on 7/19/17 at 3:39 pm to TU Rob
quote:
Unfortunately, that was it.
Sorry to hear that. The bubbling and building pressure without overheating a lot at first.
Head gasket set about 200. Labor of about 10 to 12 hrs. Resurface head about 150. @ 100 bucks/hr with tax, LOF, etc ypur should be looking at 2K.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 3:39 pm to Boudreaux35
Yeah, I'm sort of stuck now. I need to fix it to sell it. I could probably sell it as is. But it may take a while. But if I pay to fix it and it runs great, I might as well keep driving it. It's paid for and has never given me an issue in 5 years. The mechanic said it is in great shape other than the overheating. Going to take about a week since he has to send it off for machining. Gives me time to think if I want to keep it or not.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 3:47 pm to TU Rob
quote:
Yeah, I'm sort of stuck now. I need to fix it to sell it. I could probably sell it as is. But it may take a while.
I wonder how well it would run if you just replaced the pump and thermostat in order to sell.
Posted on 7/19/17 at 4:16 pm to Boudreaux35
quote:
I wonder how well it would run if you just replaced the pump and thermostat in order to sell.
I'm sort of leaning towards just keeping it after the repairs. Basically the whole cooling system and top end of the engine will be new or good as new. Axles and frame are in great shape. 4x4 works great. It only has 68k miles on it, which is unheard of for a 2004. I bought it 5 years ago with 32k miles and it has never given me an issue until now. I may list it just to see if I get any bites and buy a used Tacoma if it sells.
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