Sponsored

EcoDiesel turbo overheating

ptenereillo

Member
First Name
ptenereillo
Joined
Nov 9, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
I have a 2021 Gladiator EcoDiesel that experienced the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure.

Only saw (and sadly still "see") the issue going over the Interstate 8 grade from San Diego out to Glamis etc. (which is why I have a Jeep).

Check engine light, service electronic throttle control warning, vehicle immediately slowed from freeway speed (70MPH speed limit) down to a max of ~45MPH. I limped home by pulling over, restarting, driving for 5 minutes, happens again, repeat, until I got off the grade.

It was in the AutoNation Carlsbad Jeep Service for 22 days, and they said it was fixed.

Jeep wanted me to sign a release in exchange for $3000, so I decided I had better test it. Up the grade, and guess what - check engine light, service electronic throttle control, vehicle immediately slowed down. Exact same symptoms I saw before the HPFP "fix".

Brought it back to the shop (for another 13 days now and counting), and now both AutoNation Jeep Carlsbad Service and Jeep Customer Service are telling me that it's a different issue that is NOT covered under warranty! Turbo temp gets too high because of oil temp. They say they are "unable to reproduce the issue" even though the have the ODB codes (of course they are not, I've only seen it on that grade but it is infinitely reproducible - we live by the beach where there are no big hills), but the service manager (Todd) says he's seen it with multiple Gladiators at his previous Jeep dealership in San Diego.

"Todd's" recommended fix is that I install an aftermarket oil cooler. And Jeep Customer Service passed on that recommendation! I've owned a lot of new cars in my life - never heard of a manufacturer saying that an aftermarket part is required to drive a vehicle on a regular Interstate without throwing a check engine light and emergency stopping!

The Gladiator has 37s (Mopar lift and wheels and shocks, all from the same dealer where I bought the vehicle new).

I'm not towing anything, no excessive speed.

In the past I've driven the vehicle to Mammoth and many other places with much longer steeper grades than Interstate 8. (but all of those places are hours away). I'm quite sure the issue will surface on any of those grades. So I guess I can't drive it to Mammoth this year, or go to Glamis, or do much other than putter around town until this is fixed.

Questions:
- I did a forum search but did not find anything - have others experienced this turbo overheating issue? If so did you install another cooler?
- Wouldn't installing an aftermarket cooler itself void the cooling system warranty?
- I need it either fixed or for Jeep to buy it back. Time to get a lemon law lawyer? Or is there some other way to escalate this?

Very disappointed and shocked.


Thank you,

Pete
Sponsored

 

Escape.idiocracy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rich
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Threads
37
Messages
1,569
Reaction score
1,822
Location
PNW
Vehicle(s)
Jt
Occupation
Hitchhiker
I have a 2021 Gladiator EcoDiesel that experienced the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure.

Only saw (and sadly still "see") the issue going over the Interstate 8 grade from San Diego out to Glamis etc. (which is why I have a Jeep).

Check engine light, service electronic throttle control warning, vehicle immediately slowed from freeway speed (70MPH speed limit) down to a max of ~45MPH. I limped home by pulling over, restarting, driving for 5 minutes, happens again, repeat, until I got off the grade.

It was in the AutoNation Carlsbad Jeep Service for 22 days, and they said it was fixed.

Jeep wanted me to sign a release in exchange for $3000, so I decided I had better test it. Up the grade, and guess what - check engine light, service electronic throttle control, vehicle immediately slowed down. Exact same symptoms I saw before the HPFP "fix".

Brought it back to the shop (for another 13 days now and counting), and now both AutoNation Jeep Carlsbad Service and Jeep Customer Service are telling me that it's a different issue that is NOT covered under warranty! Turbo temp gets too high because of oil temp. They say they are "unable to reproduce the issue" even though the have the ODB codes (of course they are not, I've only seen it on that grade but it is infinitely reproducible - we live by the beach where there are no big hills), but the service manager (Todd) says he's seen it with multiple Gladiators at his previous Jeep dealership in San Diego.

"Todd's" recommended fix is that I install an aftermarket oil cooler. And Jeep Customer Service passed on that recommendation! I've owned a lot of new cars in my life - never heard of a manufacturer saying that an aftermarket part is required to drive a vehicle on a regular Interstate without throwing a check engine light and emergency stopping!

The Gladiator has 37s (Mopar lift and wheels and shocks, all from the same dealer where I bought the vehicle new).

I'm not towing anything, no excessive speed.

In the past I've driven the vehicle to Mammoth and many other places with much longer steeper grades than Interstate 8. (but all of those places are hours away). I'm quite sure the issue will surface on any of those grades. So I guess I can't drive it to Mammoth this year, or go to Glamis, or do much other than putter around town until this is fixed.

Questions:
- I did a forum search but did not find anything - have others experienced this turbo overheating issue? If so did you install another cooler?
- Wouldn't installing an aftermarket cooler itself void the cooling system warranty?
- I need it either fixed or for Jeep to buy it back. Time to get a lemon law lawyer? Or is there some other way to escalate this?

Very disappointed and shocked.


Thank you,

Pete
You should ask what after market oil cooler he recommends and how/where it is to be installed….. pretty sure every diesel owner on this board will buy one once you get this information.


edit: 37’s, grade and trying to push 70mph. I would consider re gearing…
(And I know I’m going to catch hell for this- yes yes I know down shifting to a lower gear blah blah….) still my recommendation. 4.56’s for 37’s living on the beach with an annual steep grade trip…. If you plan to go Bigger for tires or tow I would say 4.88’s

To the best of my knowledge bullet proof diesel offers an extended “coolant” cooler. However, there isn’t an aftermarket oil cooler out there due to the lack of location to tap into the oil system.

Oil temperature issues are an issue with the eco diesel in the jeep’s but so far no solution that I know of.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/diesel-cooling-options-and-ideas.46298/page-71

Post #1054
 
Last edited:

Jefe1018

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2020
Threads
48
Messages
3,119
Reaction score
5,230
Location
NV
Vehicle(s)
Sold the 21 JT Rubi Ecodiesel, now a 4.5 gen Powerwagon
Build Thread
Link
Any search in the diesel section will show you that the Jeep goes into a self preservation type limp mode when the engine oil temperatures reaches over ~265 degrees. Some have had success with an aftermarket setup. I won’t do it unless Jeep pays for it, under the 100,000 mile warranty. I do also feel they seem to not want to do anything about this and it does present a safety concern especially when you are on the freeway.

I’ve never been in limp mode, but during the dog days of summer up steep grades and at highway speeds, that is a limitation of this platform I have found, whether towing or not. I slow down to 55-65 and the oil temps seem to drop to about 250 degrees. Note: I too am running 37’s on a mopar lift all installed before I even picked up my truck.
 

@californiajeeping

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
953
Reaction score
1,002
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2022 Jeep Gladiator diesel, 1977 cj5 LS swapped
Common issue. There’s some diy improvements you can do to help.
Remove all engine foam and under hood seals. Make the hood scoops functional. This helps the engine bay breathe at a cost of more diesel engine noise.

check your wiring harness that runs by the downpipe near passenger side firewall.

use a tazer module to turn engine fans on prior to the grade.

all coolers are complicated and have mixed results.
 

@californiajeeping

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
953
Reaction score
1,002
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2022 Jeep Gladiator diesel, 1977 cj5 LS swapped
Also consider with stock tires it likely would not occur so you have no leg to stand on as it’s not defective it’s doing what it’s programmed to do.
 

Sponsored

Teserak

Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Apr 6, 2023
Threads
6
Messages
24
Reaction score
41
Location
Camarillo ca
Vehicle(s)
2022 gladiator eco diesel
men this sucks , I think I'm about to experience what's happening to you ,same symtoms except for the overheating part , dealer can't find the issue DAY 7 at the moment .
 
OP
OP

ptenereillo

Member
First Name
ptenereillo
Joined
Nov 9, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
Mine did not say it was overheating. That’s just what the dealer said from the ODB code.
 
OP
OP

ptenereillo

Member
First Name
ptenereillo
Joined
Nov 9, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
Also consider with stock tires it likely would not occur so you have no leg to stand on as it’s not defective it’s doing what it’s programmed to do.
I suppose all I would need to do is put the stock tires back and tow a trailer. Not prepared to go through that exercise!
 
OP
OP

ptenereillo

Member
First Name
ptenereillo
Joined
Nov 9, 2023
Threads
1
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Location
San Diego
Vehicle(s)
2021 Gladiator Rubicon
By the way, I’ve gone on many long trips, including Mammoth Mountain, etc. with much steeper longer grades, same tires. No issue. This is a new problem. I think the dealership is just punting on diagnosing and fixing it.
 

Rusty PW

Well-Known Member
First Name
Russ
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Threads
37
Messages
11,337
Reaction score
30,234
Location
Fayette Nam, Pennsyltucky
Website
www.youtube.com
Vehicle(s)
'22 JTRD, '11 370Z Nismo, '07 Honda VFR
Build Thread
Link
Occupation
Muff Diver
Check the wiring harness by the exhaust. There is a bracket that it rubs on. It's been know to cause issues with the early years.
 

Sponsored

DesertDog

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Threads
19
Messages
363
Reaction score
244
Location
Utah
Vehicle(s)
Colorado
Same here. For two and a half years I’ve tried to take my son to and from college in my JTD. He’s usually following me in his Pentastar JL for safety. The JTD has NEVER actually completed the trip without going into limp mode for one reason or another. Regarding the turbo, it over heated and blew in the middle of nowhere Montana and left my wife on the side of the road with two dogs and no cell service. A dealer in Butte needed nearly two months before Jeep could ship it back to Salt Lake. After the fourth roadside failure she won’t ride in it outside of city limits but she happily follows me in her Rubicon.
Moral of the story I guess is to just never leave town in an Ecodiesel without an escort.
I still love my JTD but most are thinking that I’m pretty weird.
 

Chief_jeep

Well-Known Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
Nov 7, 2022
Threads
17
Messages
389
Reaction score
446
Location
Park City, UT
Vehicle(s)
2022 Gladiator Ecodiesel
Occupation
Real Estate Agent
Insane diesel makes an oil cooler and bypass filter. It’s not easy to package but that should fix your issue. Someone on here has done the install and shared the process.

If you’re worried about the warranty I’d ask the dealer to sign something stating that it’s recommended by them and it will not void warranty. Then I’d take it to a reputable shop and have them do the install.
 

@californiajeeping

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
953
Reaction score
1,002
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2022 Jeep Gladiator diesel, 1977 cj5 LS swapped
I’ve put 37k on mine with no derating or limp mode. I watch the temps but have never hit the limit and I drive fast up the sierras all summer. I have seen 255

as I’ve stated before: remove ALL engine coverings remove all hood seals and foam blocks. That step 1 and costs 0$.

then add a hood vent of some type.

Cut the factory air intake flap as it’s been known to suck shut when it gets hot and restrict airflow.

it works to keep items under hood from overheating including the engine itself but more importantly if you do overheat it cools down drastically faster!
 

Hootbro

Well-Known Member
First Name
Don
Joined
Apr 13, 2019
Threads
57
Messages
10,176
Reaction score
19,942
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
2025 Gladiator Sport
If you’re worried about the warranty I’d ask the dealer to sign something stating that it’s recommended by them and it will not void warranty.
I would be surprised any dealership would put to written word and sign something along those lines. I doubt they have the authority to act on such things without Stellantis having a buy in.
Sponsored

 
 







Top