Overheating While Towing

[JT1]

I can up shift but it will not let me drop a gear and it is really bogged down at that point. I think if I could get it to down shift even one gear, I would be fine.

That's definitely strange, but I don't have the auto, so no first hand info there.

What coolant temp do you see normally and when it gets hot?

With 50K on it, a coolant flush is a good idea, but I can't see that making a huge difference.

I have seen a radiator get packed with mud (especially if it was wheeled in the river down there)

Sponsored

 

[EOS311]

That was my thought too. I do not believe it is possible to order the wide axles on an overland from the factory, it would've had to have been an aftermarket swap, which is highly unlikely that someone would go through the work of swapping to aftermarket D44s to achieve the slight increase in width, but still run 3.73s.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. I just pulled the build sheet and it does not say anything about the upgraded axles.

 

[EOS311]

Overland Max Tow but not. Wide axles but not. 4.56 gears but not.

I think the guy you bought it from drinks Bud Light as well. Did you share one with him when you bought it to believe all that?

Seriously tho...if it does not downshift at all when towing, whether in auto or manual mode, then something is not right. Probably needs a visit to a shop to diagnose why that is.

I don't recall having any bud lights with him but $20 is $20. Lol. I've had the dealership look it over and they found nothing out of the ordinary. I will have the shop that is doing the gears look at it while they have it. I trust them way more than the dingbats at the dealership.

 

[EOS311]

That's definitely strange, but I don't have the auto, so no first hand info there.

What coolant temp do you see normally and when it gets hot?

With 50K on it, a coolant flush is a good idea, but I can't see that making a huge difference.

I have seen a radiator get packed with mud (especially if it was wheeled in the river down there)

I don't play in the river. I will double check the radiator but I have pressure washed it on numerous occasions and it does not appear to be mud or sand packed.

 

[JT1]

I don't play in the river. I will double check the radiator but I have pressure washed it on numerous occasions and it does not appear to be mud or sand packed.

Just curious. Your profile shows an aftermarket bumper/over rider and a winch. Is there a correlation of anything on the front being changed that could obstruct the airflow and this overheating happening?

 

[BearDog]

Off topic...

My whole family is originally from Okie. Calvin/McAlester/Wilburton/Eufaula...and some up at Grand Lake. Will be up there in a couple of weeks for my Dad's birthday.

 

[Lunentucker]

There's a reason that Jeep stopped putting the engine covers on the engines, and that they're changing the grille design to allow more airflow.
I doubt you can find the new grille anywhere yet, but I would certainly remove the cover right away and maybe try a coolant system treatment that's been demonstrated to reduce the surface tension in the coolant and improve temps.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/anyone-remove-and-leave-off-the-engine-cover.30307/

 

[pbrevo64]

It does not shut down but the gauge pretty much maxes out and I get an overheating waring pop up on the dash.

You've mentioned coolant flush, which isn't a bad idea. Is your coolant level correct? Some 2020s had slightly low levels from the factory, I for one had to add a bit to bring the reservoir up to the low mark.

I don't play in the river. I will double check the radiator but I have pressure washed it on numerous occasions and it does not appear to be mud or sand packed.

Make sure you spray it from the backside as well, and front and back but from below. Pulling the trim above the radiator sometimes helps with access.

Did you notice this issue before the aftermarket bumper? As @JT1 noted, it could be disrupting airflow and causing a dead zone and redirecting airflow away from your radiator.

 

[JRobes]

There's a reason that Jeep stopped putting the engine covers on the engines, and that they're changing the grille design to allow more airflow.

A. Remove covers bc they're penny pinching
B. My guess on new grill:
1. they saw so many people wanting the blacked out grill
2. Making it shorter allows better winch cable routing and easier for service departments to remove the grill with the winch still on now that it's a factory offered part.
3. Redesigning for better airflow likely makes it a one size fits all across all wrangler/gladiator trims (cost savings).

 

[bleda2002]

A. Remove covers bc they're penny pinching
B. My guess on new grill:
1. they saw so many people wanting the blacked out grill
2. Making it shorter allows better winch cable routing and easier for service departments to remove the grill with the winch still on now that it's a factory offered part.
3. Redesigning for better airflow likely makes it a one size fits all across all wrangler/gladiator trims (cost savings).

The new grille does flow more air on top of being shorter for the winch. There is significantly more open area now.

 

[EOS311]

Just curious. Your profile shows an aftermarket bumper/over rider and a winch. Is there a correlation of anything on the front being changed that could obstruct the airflow and this overheating happening?

That is definitely a possibility but I do not experience overheating anywhere else. We spent a few days at Merus Adventure In the Palo Duro canyon and wheeled all day with a large group. It was a hot day and we were moving at a snails pace on most of the trails and I had 0 heat issues.

 

[EOS311]

Off topic...

My whole family is originally from Okie. Calvin/McAlester/Wilburton/Eufaula...and some up at Grand Lake. Will be up there in a couple of weeks for my Dad's birthday.

I live a little north of Shawnee and we have a fishing / hunting camp in the Tenkiller area. If you plan on doing any wheeling, let me know. Don't know if you have ever been to Disney on the Grand Lake but that is some of the best wheeling in the country. Hit me up if you need a wheeling buddy while you are here.

 

[EOS311]

You've mentioned coolant flush, which isn't a bad idea. Is your coolant level correct? Some 2020s had slightly low levels from the factory, I for one had to add a bit to bring the reservoir up to the low mark.


Make sure you spray it from the backside as well, and front and back but from below. Pulling the trim above the radiator sometimes helps with access.

Did you notice this issue before the aftermarket bumper? As @JT1 noted, it could be disrupting airflow and causing a dead zone and redirecting airflow away from your radiator.

The bumpers were on it when I bought it. I think I will get those Poison Spyder hood louvers to help increase airflow thru the engine compartment. I hate those cheap Chinese bumpers that are on it and will be replacing them shortly. I will look for something that will allow the winch to sit lower in the frame to allow for better air flow.

 

[JT1]

I live a little north of Shawnee and we have a fishing / hunting camp in the Tenkiller area. If you plan on doing any wheeling, let me know. Don't know if you have ever been to Disney on the Grand Lake but that is some of the best wheeling in the country. Hit me up if you need a wheeling buddy while you are here.

Ha! Heading to Disney the weekend after the 4th. Went to Gruber 2 weeks ago.

 

[EOS311]

Ha! Heading to Disney the weekend after the 4th. Went to Gruber 2 weeks ago.

We were at grubber a month ago. Hit up Arkansas around the mulberry mountain area a few weeks ago. If you have never been, hit me up. I have quite a few .gpx files for that area as well as the wolf pen area. I will probably end up at Disney at some point over this long holiday weekend.

Sponsored