2003 Jeep Wrangler Overheats after 1-hour of driving at 60+

2003 JEEP WRANGLER
78,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • MANUAL
Avatar
ARTIZON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The car runs a little bit hot to begin with - just a little over the midpoint on my gauge. When driving on the freeway at 65+ mph for about an hour, on a warm (65+ degrees fahrenheit), the gauge begins to climb towards the red. I have to turn the heater on at full blast in order to cool it down or pull over, turn the engine off for a few minutes. I just had the 3,000 mile oil-change and fluid checkups a month ago and wad was told that all's well. The jeep does not overheat when just driving city streets at 35-50 mph...

My mechanic told me that there is no way to know what the problem is unless the overheating event is somehow duplicated when in the shop.

What the heck could it be???[img:d25fdfbaf9]http://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/534535_DSCN3765_1.jpg[/img:d25fdfbaf9]
Jun 3, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
BLACKOP555
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 10,386 POSTS
whatever it is it is gradual. try taking a air compressor and blowing out the radiator and conensor and make sure the fins arnt bent over.

aside from that is the vehicle running lean or ignition timing off. your mechanic can check for that unless you have access to a scan tool
Jun 4, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Avatar
CJ MEDEVAC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 11,004 POSTS
See my profile, I do not know your rig well, I'm a CJ guy. What about checking the following:

Squishy old, lower radiator hose, sucking flat (no spring inside, due to waterpump suction)?

Thermostat?

Fan Clutch (if yours is mechanical, belt driven), defective and freewheeling?

Respond,

The Medic
Jun 11, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ARTIZON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks to both of you for your very helpful tips. Because of them, I was able to speak with mechanics about my vehicle's issues without sounding like a complete moron (which I am, by the way, when it comes to auto mechanics).

My mechanic replaced the thermostat and the fan clutch.

The problem seems to have gone away. We'll see when I go on a road trip next weekend.

Thanks again!
Jun 28, 2010 at 12:32 PM