Post by lanceslambos on Feb 27, 2015 21:10:57 GMT -6
As you may have guessed this thread deals with my new (to me) jeep. It's actually been a year or more now but I found a 1990 jeep cherokee laredo on craigslist for $900. I needed a vehicle that could get around in bad weather (I've had 3 feet of water over my drive before). I wanted something for camping and hunting triops and especially an off road archaeology mobile. It wouldn't start and the owner had thrown a bunch of parts at it to no avail. I got it towed home and had it started in 10 minutes. It was just a loose battery cable! Since then it's been a good running rascal and I've thrown a few grand in her myself. In 8,000 miles I've replaced:
battery
battery cables
plugs
plug wires
rotor bug
distributor
ignition coils
fuel filter
fuel pressure regulator
fuel pump
5 tires (including spare)
front shocks
rear shocks
intake air temp. sensor
crank position sensor
serpentine belt
air filter (K&N panel)
valve cover gasket
PCV valve
radiator hose
throttle body cleaning
thermostat
temp. control valve
fog lights
floor mats
steering wheel cover
CD holder (visor)
keys
rear hatch shocks
auto shades window rain guard visors
repainted lower body sections
So I was driving to Fayetteville, Arkansas Wednesday when I notice the engine temperature is all over the place. I thought maybe there was an air bubble in the radiator as the road was quite hilly and I had the upper hose and temp. control valve replaced last month. Seemed like the faster I went the cooler it would run, it was 20 degrees outside. The next thing I know she's running well in the red at 250 degrees! There just happened to be a part store, an ATM, and a car garage right there!! The coolant was strong so I knew the thermostat was stuck. $40 and an hour later I'm back on the road and she's running at 200-210 steady. I thought yay it's ok. Then I went to school yesterday and it overheats on me again. I pulled the dipstick and the oil was foamy. Either the headgasket is trashed (fingers crossed), or the water jacket is cracked. This really bites after fixing her up like new(ok near). And I need it now more than ever not only with the snow and bad weather but because I'm doing an independent student study this semester and you just about need Bigfoot to get to this archaeology site.