Overheating problem that cannot be resolved yet

Asked by Beverly Jul 30, 2012 at 03:44 PM about the 2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hi.. I have an 02 Jeep Liberty.  It started to slightly overheat just past the mid point.  Had the coolant changed and thermostat replaced...still overheating.  They replaced the fan clutch and it still overheated, replace the water pump ..still overheated.  On that 45 minute test drive the check engine light came on and it started misfiring.  THEN they tell me they flushed it after the water pump being replaced and they think some crud may have gotten stuck and now the heads are WARPED.  So...they get the heads machined and I tell them just put a new radiator in too.  They do...test drive it and it is STILL OVERHEATING.  He said they may have to purge the lines because it may now be air in the line...but they dont have a machine to do it???    PLEASE HELP.   I am a woman....doesnt mean anything except I feel like I am getting taken for a bad ride right now.

12 Answers

4,445

I would check the water hoses from the radiator to the engine to see if the hoses have collapsed, if so then the radiator cap is not venting properly. Check to see if the overflow reservoir is getting the excessive filling when it starts to over heat. Continuing to remain over heated will cause the heads to warp so that might be a problem now as well. If your oil is turning any shade of brown or milky then your head gasket-s are burnt or exhaust could be passing through the head into the oil pan.

17 people found this helpful.
70

my jeep did that and i had water and oil in the number 4 injector and in the spark plugs had to blow it all out.

7 people found this helpful.
310

I have the EXACT problem w my '03 Liberty. I'm out of parts to replace but did find a service manual on Jeepkj.com that shows where to bleed the air. There's also a module behind the glove compartment that has something? to do w it,& am getting s new lower radiator hose which may be collapsing. I cannot afford a mechanic or even anymore parts. There's no way I can get another car,& no other transportation to get to work. Any sdblvuce would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and best of luck to all with a liberty.

31 people found this helpful.
90

I had a 99 Dodge half-ton had a 5.2 v8 in it it overheated replace the heads done everything we supposed to do still overheated went back in done more work, still messed up, well you're not going to believe this guys, as soon as I said take the water pump off cuz its brand new as soon as I said water pump everybody knew right then, it's something to do with the water pump, well so here's what we did we took the water pump off. And man when we was looking for what it was the damn propeller was spun off, I called the damn autozone in Idabel Oklahoma 580- 208-2002 and I told them that I just won the jackpot and I were going to pay for it, well they didn't pay for see it I bought me a new water pump you guys and paid to have it put on all that other s*** that had been redone again it was like having two damn jobs done back to back with no miles in between and it was the same job y'all have a good day

9 people found this helpful.
80

It's not leaking in my car. Don't see any leak in hoses. I can't find where water is leaking .

8 people found this helpful.
230

If you have a 3.7L the thermostat goes into the bottom the cone shaped part goes in the plastic fitting for the hose. The end with the spring goes into the block. The Mopar Motorad has a time delay. Have them pull the thermostat use a pan of boiling water make sure it opens in 3-5 minutes. Their is a plug by the top radiator hose fitting this needs pulled so they fill the engine from this point. The hose runs uphill from the radiator and fills with air so it needs vented. It takes a 8mm allen socket. If the thermostat is backwards it will cause overheating.

11 people found this helpful.
230

I don't think it was vented properly. Have them remove the 3/8 npt pipe plug near the top radiator hose fitting at the block. Fill to the top replace the plug. Install pressure tester pump to 12 psi. remove refill radiator. You should get around 2 quarts of coolant in the system after running until it reaches operating pressure both top and bottom radiator hose should be hot. An 8mm allen socket is required to remove the plug. Make sure the coolant reservoir is working. If both hoses are not hot the thermostat is bad.

12 people found this helpful.
60

It is definitely the vapor lock, I have same problem with my 2005 liberty. When it won't start just turn key 1/2 way three times and on 4th try start your car hope this helps. I won't spend any more money, I've had battery, starter and one other part replaced, only to find out its the vapor lock. Hope this helps liberty owners

6 people found this helpful.
10

Reading all these answers, and the ones under Related Questions....sounds to me like the 3.7 has an issue.....I have a 2004 Liberty 3.7. The gauge shows it is fine, but the warning light comes on, and the Jeep stops.....push the gas, the engine revs up, tachometer climbs, but the Jeep won't move. Let it sit for 10 minutes, it runs fine for another hour, then same thing. Runs fine around town, just cannot take it on a trip over 25 miles or so.

1 people found this helpful.

Your getting taking for a ride all mechanics do that to woman . A professional. Mechanic would of flush the radiator After replacing the fan . They knew if they don't it would mess your engine up . Know they are scamming you more

If the first thermostat was stuck shut, it could be the new thermostat was installed backwards the pointed end goes in the plastic thermostat housing and the spring goes in the block. I speak from experience my thermostat was stuck open wanted heat for winter in Michigan put it together now it ran hot in a short time. Watched a youtube video saw what I did wrong turned it around everything is great and I have heat.

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