Jeep Liberty overheating is a common problem faced if you ride your vehicle for a longer period of time. That means frequent running for longer periods of time can overheat and damage your engine.
So, how to fix the jeep liberty overheat problem? Refilling the coolant, replacing broken parts of the radiator, and fixing the broken thermostat is the straight answer to the overheating issue.
However, the solutions may vary according to the problem. Read ahead to learn about the symptoms and the causes below. You will also know how to fix the problems that cause Jeep Liberty to overheat according to the particular issues.
Table of Contents
Signs Of The Jeep Liberty Overheating
Three significant signs indicate the overheating problem of the Jeep Liberty engine. The section below discussed it briefly.
Temperature Indicator Light
There is a warning indicator light indicating the high temperature of the Jeep Liberty. Whenever the indicator light turns on, the Jeep Liberty engine overheats.
If the indicator turns on, remove your vehicle from the road immediately. Overheating can damage the vehicle if you continue to drive it when it heats up.
Steam Coming Out Of Under The Hood
The coolant inside the radiator starts boiling whenever your Jeep Liberty gets too hot. You will notice steam coming out of under the Jeep Liberty hood. This happens to release the stress on the coolant before it gets long-term damage.
Blown Up Head Gasket
Riding the Jeep Liberty for a very long time while the engine is overheating is a bad idea because the head gasket might get blown up. If the head gasket gets damaged, you will see a few signs.
For instance, oil inside the coolant exhaust pipe releases white smoke and the Jeep rough idling. Shut down the engine if you see these signs to avoid overheating the engine.
How To Fix Jeep Liberty Overheat Problem
Here are all the reasons why your Jeep Liberty overheats with its particular solutions.
Lack Of Coolant
The primary cause of Jeep Liberty engine overheating is the coolant issue. Either your vehicle is low on coolant, or there is no coolant. This can happen due to leakage in the coolant system, such as:
- Damaged Radiator
- Broken radiator hose
- Broken radiator cap
Any place of the radiator can contain the leakage. Be careful to remove the radiator’s cap only after the engine completely cooldowns.
Solution
You only have to remove everything from the radiator if you see the coolant leaking from the cap. That is because the coolant might evaporate. And gradual leaks are hard to find than gradual leaks. You can use UV dye to determine where the fluid is leaking from.
Check the exhaust if you still don’t find anything with the fluid. And if you see smoke coming out of the hood, you know that the head gasket has blown. So change the gasket to fix the problem.
Leak From Cooling System
The coolant circulates throughout the radiator of the Jeep Liberty and reduces the engine temperature. It is an essential component for keeping the vehicle from getting overheated. You need to check the level of coolant inside the expansion tank regularly.
Fill the expansion tank to determine if the engine has a leaking coolant issue. Keep track of the coolant level to notice if the fluids are leaking. After you have confirmed the coolant leaking, you need to find the source. A hole in the radiator or broken radiator cap can cause a leak.
Solution
Change the radiator hose and the broken hose clams. Also, change the radiator cap if you find the source of the leak there. The cost will be cheap. So don’t worry about the price.
Faulty Water Pump
The engine of the Jeep Liberty’s auxiliary drive mechanism turns the vehicle’s water pump. When the engine RPM rises, the water pump’s speed also slows down when the vehicle is idling.
Solution
A faulty water pump is ineffective for the Jeep Liberty engine. The problem occurs when the vehicle starts idling while being overheated. Thus, the water pump will be unable to transfer the coolant back and forth with the engine and radiator. The solution is simple.
Put the vehicle in park or neutral and turn the engine up to nearly 1000RPM below the redline. Do this only for a moment. The temperature will drop because of the water pump. But the problem occurs when you have to replace a water pump. Take the help of an expert to replace the water pump in this case.
Radiator Problems
The radiator is at the heart of a vehicle’s overheating problem. Instead of replacing the radiator, you can fix a few parts and get on with it. The usual problem is that the radiator has an internal clog or external debris stuck inside the fins.
As a result, the Jeep Liberty will quickly overheat if the radiator fans break down. Stop-leak fluids are a solution for repairing the leak, and the radiator hose can also leak.
Solution
Fixing hoses are straightforward and cheap. If the hose needs replacing, delegate the job of replacing the hose to a mechanic as quickly as possible. After all, driving around with a broken radiator can cause long-term damage.
Broken electric fan
If you find the coolant levels normal, check the fans next. If the radiator gets too hot, the electric fans are turned on by the Jeep Liberty. However, the fans will only work if the Jeep is active, and these fans become faulty quickly.
Solution
Take a look at the fans after taking off the hood. See if the fan keeps spinning although the engine has gotten idle and heated. If the fans are completely off, the fans are broken. Check on the fuse and see if the fan relay is getting electricity. If not, you will have to change the fans.
Broken Thermostat
The Jeep Liberty’s thermostat regulates the coolant’s entry and exit in the engine. A broken or blocked thermostat can cause problems with the thermostat.
Solution
Knowing if the thermostat is broken is necessary to decide to replace it. If you notice the vehicle getting hot after driving only for a handful of minutes, that can only mean one thing; the thermostat is partially open.
If the engine were filled with coolant, it would take more time to overheat. Replace the thermostat, which is relatively straightforward. Use a ratchet, a 10mm socket, and an extension to replace the thermostat.
Steps To Prevent Jeep Liberty From Overheating
If you take a few easy precautions, you can effortlessly avoid the overheating issue of your Jeep Liberty engine.
- Keep track of the coolant level in the Jeep radiator.
- Always keep an extra coolant bottle and one gallon of water in your Jeep’s trunk.
- Be aware of the Jeep’s temperature when you drive the Jeep around.
- Don’t overdo the vehicle’s air conditioning system on hotter days.
- If you notice overheating, turn the heating system on to help cool off the engine.
- Follow Jeep Liberty’s owner handbook.
- Be regular with the coolant servicing flushes.
FAQs
Read the answers to some Jeep Liberty users who frequently have these questions.
Is it possible to save an overheated engine?
After the engine overheats and the vehicle typically keeps going, there is a chance. You need to turn the heat on the car. After help comes, only they can figure out if your Jeep Liberty can be saved after the overheating.
Is it okay to use water in place of coolant?
You can use water as an alternative solution to coolant in case you do not have any coolant. But only for a short period. Water will not efficiently protect the engine. You will have to fix the issue of coolant as quickly as possible. The solution is to fill the radiator with a 50/50 coolant ratio to water.
How long do you have to wait before you drive an overheated engine?
Before you start the vehicle, after it overheats, you should wait 30 minutes. If you can open the vehicle’s hood with the latch inside, the cooling process will be faster. Be aware only to touch the hood after it completely cools down.
Conclusion
Finally, you have learned how to fix the jeep liberty overheat problem. Look out for the signs mentioned above. Be careful with the steam coming out of the hood. The steam can block your vision, so drive safely.
The solutions mentioned are straightforward. So, you can do fixes yourself or take a mechanic’s help. If you want to spare a few bucks, go for the last option. Also, remember to follow the preventive measures to avoid getting the Jeep Liberty engine overheating.