jddancy
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- california
I have a question. My Jeep had awhile back been acting up when I was on the freeway. It was having a hard time deciding to shift into overdrive. IF I went up a slight hill, it would shift down and the check engine light would come on. I took it in and was told it was the overdrive solenoid valve was dirty. They cleaned it out and it worked, but when it would normally of shifted down, it seemed I was losing power and it lugged. That was better than the check engine light. This weekend we went on a trip and were towing our utility trailer (not very heavy). While we were on a freeway that had very little hills and a bit windy it was like the brake was on. It was losing power and then the temp went up and the check gauges light came on. We turned the A/C off and it immediately cooled down. We took off and turned the A/C off and it still seemed to be losing power but not overheating. We figured it was ok and turned the A/C back on. It repeated itself so we got off and opened the radiator (We had just replaced the termostat 2 weeks prior), which was very hot and we put new water in it. Waited and took off. 5 miles down the road it starts to ping real bad and we are in a construction area and can't get off. The off ramp is very close but in that short time, it starts pinging bad and it starts to overheat and then the engine stopped. We coasted off the offramp and had it towed. We were just informed that the engine is blown. We know that we will have to replace it, but my big question is this, why did it happen in the first place??? We were given a quote of $3600 to replace and install the engine. We are afraid that we put this $$$$ into it and then we never find out what caused it and then it happens again. We do want to replace the radiator ( I have read alot about that) Any suggestions on which one?? We have a 1997 Cherokee. ANY suggestions or comments are VERY appreciated. Thank you!!!