First time wheeling now I have questions
- Thread starter Midtenn
- Start date
4lo and shift through the gears as 1st maybe to low.
Flush the coolant system good, make sure to get the air out. Also check your clutch fan operation, my fan was going out causing over heating. I used the magazine method, engine running, shove a rolled up magazine into the fan blades. If it tears the magazine up your clutch fan is good, if your fan stops spinning the clutch is bad. I could stop mine with my hand it was so shot.
Most issues will present themselves off road. It’s takes time to learn everything about you and your Jeep, so take your time and enjoy it. It gets frustrating at times but you’ll get everything sorted in time.
Flush the coolant system good, make sure to get the air out. Also check your clutch fan operation, my fan was going out causing over heating. I used the magazine method, engine running, shove a rolled up magazine into the fan blades. If it tears the magazine up your clutch fan is good, if your fan stops spinning the clutch is bad. I could stop mine with my hand it was so shot.
Most issues will present themselves off road. It’s takes time to learn everything about you and your Jeep, so take your time and enjoy it. It gets frustrating at times but you’ll get everything sorted in time.
I’ll double check. I guess at some angles every little bit counts.
The extra reduction in the T-case make the gear spacing closer together, making it easier to find the right gear for the terrain. Starting in 2nd or 3rd gear is fine in 4 low.
The oil is a little concerning. It shouldn't have been happening on easy trails. I always make sure the oil is topped off before leaving the house and never noticed pressure problems unless it was an extreme descent. How high was the engine temp? How many miles on the engine? Mopar radiator?
The oil is a little concerning. It shouldn't have been happening on easy trails. I always make sure the oil is topped off before leaving the house and never noticed pressure problems unless it was an extreme descent. How high was the engine temp? How many miles on the engine? Mopar radiator?
I’ve checked the engine oil and added about a pint. I think it could have been in conjunction with stalling or tossing about or whatever. The oil issue only occurred a few times but enough to make me nervous considering I’m inexperienced.
After adding some new g05 and ensuring there’s no air pockets, I’ll see how she does. I think this just exposed so weak points that may have pre existed but didn’t show up in my normal trip to the grocery store.
After adding some new g05 and ensuring there’s no air pockets, I’ll see how she does. I think this just exposed so weak points that may have pre existed but didn’t show up in my normal trip to the grocery store.
TJ2
TJ Expert
Those are a good sign to flush your cooling system. Flush it thoroughly with that chemical to remove the rusts.
Next time you are out in the woods, practice: Be mindful about the RPM / MPH / 4Lo & 4Hi. It is all related to a manual trans bec. you the driver needs to understand how the engine works at a certain RPM.
Edit:
Next time you are out in the woods, practice: Be mindful about the RPM / MPH / 4Lo & 4Hi. It is all related to a manual trans bec. you the driver needs to understand how the engine works at a certain RPM.
Edit:
Last edited:
Coolant issue:
Mine was bad and would bubble rapidly when it got hot and spew into the overflow coolant reservoir.
I drained all of it and replaced the thermostat, the housing, water pump, radiator, and the upper and lower rad hoses.
Also reverse flushed the heater core (5 minutes with a garden hose).
This fixed the issue.
But my coolant was like brown sludge mud.
Mine was bad and would bubble rapidly when it got hot and spew into the overflow coolant reservoir.
I drained all of it and replaced the thermostat, the housing, water pump, radiator, and the upper and lower rad hoses.
Also reverse flushed the heater core (5 minutes with a garden hose).
This fixed the issue.
But my coolant was like brown sludge mud.
I have a manual as well and 4L makes a huge difference especially if you are geared correctly. If those are 35's you should be around 4:88's. On green trails I hardly even used my throttle, just mostly shifted between 3rd and 4th on flats and sometimes 1st or 2nd on a hill climb, no throttle or very little.
The"no oil pressure" is a bit alarming unless you were way off camber to where the oil pick up could not get suction but on a green trail I wouldn't think that to be the case.
The"no oil pressure" is a bit alarming unless you were way off camber to where the oil pick up could not get suction but on a green trail I wouldn't think that to be the case.
I did some triple checking this afternoon. Oil was lower than I thought, even adding the pint. I also observed when rinsing out the cooling system that there was a lot of air trapped in there with each drain requiring me to add more water. (Gallons or distilled). Seems like the Jeep had some minor items that were revealed while attempting to wheel. I didn’t push it too hard and stopped early. I was afraid of the overheat but now I’m on the good side of 210.
TJ2
TJ Expert
The brown slush mud are the rusts particle that you need to worry about.
I'd say flush it with "rush remover" like what I do regularly with my TJs.
Westbrook
TJ Enthusiast
Being your first time out, did you air down? I find that being aired down on the trails makes it easier to drive/not stall, especially when you aren't used to driving offroad.
I did but it was a guess because I didn’t bring a gauge. I thought airing down was for the beach. Lots of small lessons learned on this trip.
Westbrook
TJ Enthusiast
Another question, seeing as it was your first time, were you out with others? I would hope that someone would have been able to help you out with airing down/lend you a gauge and more importantly you shouldn't wheel alone. As you experienced, issues can come up even if you think your Jeep is in good running condition and you could have been stranded without help.
Other people where at the park but it was just me and my wife. The folks passing by were friendly enough that I’m sure they’d lend a hand if I were stuck.
Worst case scenario, I pay someone to tow me out. No big deal.
Worst case scenario, I pay someone to tow me out. No big deal.
Oil pressure will drop just before you stall. Keep in mind what causes stalling. Your engine is trying to deliver torque at low RPMs. Not gonna happen. RPMs fall rapidly and hence, oil pressure with it. The 4.0 delivers it's highest torque somewhere between 2800 and 3500 RPM. That's why everyone is suggesting 4lo. Easier to stay within the torque band.
Now, if you're saying you were in the RPM range and getting low oil pressure, that could be a big problem. Have you had a compression check? This will uncover any issues with rings or leaky head gaskets.
Other than that, congrats on the first time out. It was a blast, wasn't it?
Now, if you're saying you were in the RPM range and getting low oil pressure, that could be a big problem. Have you had a compression check? This will uncover any issues with rings or leaky head gaskets.
Other than that, congrats on the first time out. It was a blast, wasn't it?
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