Edit for anyone who has this problem in the future:
I went out to my Jeep, turned it on, put my arm through the window and turned the steering back and forth enough to stress the system just a bit, until I could tell the RPM's kicked up. Sure enough, a little drop of fluid came out around the switch. Went to auto zone, got a replacement for $37 and that did the trick. Read the whole thread for all the information.
A quick synopsis of symptoms:
-Very slight burning smell after heavy acceleration
-Engine appears to be covered in some liquid, but doesn't seem thick enough to be oil
-No puddles of oil or coolant under Jeep after sitting overnight
-Heat is greatly diminished (although I think this is due to a clogged heater core)
Full story:
I can mod my jeep and turn wrenches all day, but when it comes to engine problems, I'm lost. I've been smelling a very slight burning smell lately. Usually only after I have to really get on the gas...which with a 2.5L is slightly more frequent than normal. I'm wondering what I need to look for the help solve this problem. I can get pictures of the engine and oil pan if that will help.
There haven't been any pools of oil or coolant under the jeep when I get in it in the morning. But the engine block is very dirty and seems wet (for lack of a better term) on the top as well as some components near the engine like hoses. Forgive my ignorance if this is normal. I've looked at the engine hundreds of times, but when something is wrong I tend to notice things I may have skipped over before, whether they're related to the problem or not.
In the interest of full disclosure, a few months ago I did have to replace my radiator. The cap blew off one night while I was driving. I didn't have the time to take care of it myself, but the shop I took it to did a full system flush and replaced the radiator, cap, and thermometer (I double checked to make sure it was the correct temp thermo). During the install, apparently a bolt holding the thermostat housing broke off which is making me wonder if any damage was done to the cooling system. I trust this shop a lot and I am 99.99% certain they would tell me if they really screwed something up, so I don't think it has much to do with that.
Finally, my heat hasn't been very hot lately. I believe that this is due to a clogged heater core though because one of the hoses was hot to the touch and the other was only slightly warm.
Thanks for reading and let me know what I need to check, what pictures anyone may need to see, or suggestions on how to progress.
I went out to my Jeep, turned it on, put my arm through the window and turned the steering back and forth enough to stress the system just a bit, until I could tell the RPM's kicked up. Sure enough, a little drop of fluid came out around the switch. Went to auto zone, got a replacement for $37 and that did the trick. Read the whole thread for all the information.
A quick synopsis of symptoms:
-Very slight burning smell after heavy acceleration
-Engine appears to be covered in some liquid, but doesn't seem thick enough to be oil
-No puddles of oil or coolant under Jeep after sitting overnight
-Heat is greatly diminished (although I think this is due to a clogged heater core)
Full story:
I can mod my jeep and turn wrenches all day, but when it comes to engine problems, I'm lost. I've been smelling a very slight burning smell lately. Usually only after I have to really get on the gas...which with a 2.5L is slightly more frequent than normal. I'm wondering what I need to look for the help solve this problem. I can get pictures of the engine and oil pan if that will help.
There haven't been any pools of oil or coolant under the jeep when I get in it in the morning. But the engine block is very dirty and seems wet (for lack of a better term) on the top as well as some components near the engine like hoses. Forgive my ignorance if this is normal. I've looked at the engine hundreds of times, but when something is wrong I tend to notice things I may have skipped over before, whether they're related to the problem or not.
In the interest of full disclosure, a few months ago I did have to replace my radiator. The cap blew off one night while I was driving. I didn't have the time to take care of it myself, but the shop I took it to did a full system flush and replaced the radiator, cap, and thermometer (I double checked to make sure it was the correct temp thermo). During the install, apparently a bolt holding the thermostat housing broke off which is making me wonder if any damage was done to the cooling system. I trust this shop a lot and I am 99.99% certain they would tell me if they really screwed something up, so I don't think it has much to do with that.
Finally, my heat hasn't been very hot lately. I believe that this is due to a clogged heater core though because one of the hoses was hot to the touch and the other was only slightly warm.
Thanks for reading and let me know what I need to check, what pictures anyone may need to see, or suggestions on how to progress.
Last edited: