My 2012 JKU Sport gets a strong antifreeze smell in the cab regularly. It's intermittent but more often than not. Once its heated up.
I had it at my mechanics a month ago. He checked the heater core for leaks and did not find any. Although I don't think he did a pressure test.
He did find a leak in the bottom corner of my radiator. So I had it replaced with an OEM unit. He also got codes that indicated it most likely needed a new oil cooler as well. Which I had replaced with the aluminum Dorman unit and the proper Felpro o-rings.
Afterwards it still smelled. But I thought it was just residual antifreeze that had sprayed up into the engine. And would burn off.
But after a few weeks (I haven't driven alot.) I realized it was still filling the cab with antifreeze smell. As much as before. To the point I have to roll the windows down. And it makes my eyes burn slightly. No noticeable antifreeze leaks on the firewall or floor. And no significant loss of radiator fluid. Even with the radiator leak before. So the leak is small.
Other issues that may relate:
1) The heater blows but puts out no heat.
2) When I bought it 4 months ago or so. I had to drive it back up a steep incline for maybe 10 to 15 minutes. It overheated two or three needles worth. Not enough to have to stop. But the radiator smell was really bad. I normally don't drive up long hills as there are none near me. Driving around town and on the freeway it has not overheated since.
3) The previous owner thought it had a warped head or head gasket leak. But no one has been able to confirm that. As I think the only way to diagnose that is to remove the heads.
Could I be getting this smell from the head leaking antifreeze once it warms up? This year is known for warped heads. There was a recall on them. But the two previous owners never took it in for the replacement at the dealer. And it has expired. This coupled with the overheating on a long hill. Makes me think this is possible.
4) What should my next steps be? Beyond just taking it back to my mechanic and have him dig deeper?
I'm thinking my next step should be to have the heater core pressure tested. Although my mechanic seems to think the lack of heat is from a blend door. But to diagnose that it means some hours of labor taking the dash apart.
5) Lastly, it also needs new rockers and lifters. Another recall issue that was not followed thru on. That's another $1500.
Including the $1000 I spent on the radiator and oil cooler. I am almost at the point that I may consider a used engine. I can get a 2014 (both head issue and rocker/lifter issue were solved by 2014 on.) with 78k and a one year warranty. For about $2500. Plus labor. The better remanufactured engine ( I forget the brand name.) Is $5000 plus labor. But I honestly wouldn't have that much cash on hand until next spring maybe.
I got a hefty $6000-$7000 discount off bluebook on this Jeep. Because of these various issues. I paid 11k. Bluebook was 17.9k. but local market value was more like 20k. So I technically have that to fix these issues. Although I won't have the disposable cash to do so for another few months.
Any advice?
I had it at my mechanics a month ago. He checked the heater core for leaks and did not find any. Although I don't think he did a pressure test.
He did find a leak in the bottom corner of my radiator. So I had it replaced with an OEM unit. He also got codes that indicated it most likely needed a new oil cooler as well. Which I had replaced with the aluminum Dorman unit and the proper Felpro o-rings.
Afterwards it still smelled. But I thought it was just residual antifreeze that had sprayed up into the engine. And would burn off.
But after a few weeks (I haven't driven alot.) I realized it was still filling the cab with antifreeze smell. As much as before. To the point I have to roll the windows down. And it makes my eyes burn slightly. No noticeable antifreeze leaks on the firewall or floor. And no significant loss of radiator fluid. Even with the radiator leak before. So the leak is small.
Other issues that may relate:
1) The heater blows but puts out no heat.
2) When I bought it 4 months ago or so. I had to drive it back up a steep incline for maybe 10 to 15 minutes. It overheated two or three needles worth. Not enough to have to stop. But the radiator smell was really bad. I normally don't drive up long hills as there are none near me. Driving around town and on the freeway it has not overheated since.
3) The previous owner thought it had a warped head or head gasket leak. But no one has been able to confirm that. As I think the only way to diagnose that is to remove the heads.
Could I be getting this smell from the head leaking antifreeze once it warms up? This year is known for warped heads. There was a recall on them. But the two previous owners never took it in for the replacement at the dealer. And it has expired. This coupled with the overheating on a long hill. Makes me think this is possible.
4) What should my next steps be? Beyond just taking it back to my mechanic and have him dig deeper?
I'm thinking my next step should be to have the heater core pressure tested. Although my mechanic seems to think the lack of heat is from a blend door. But to diagnose that it means some hours of labor taking the dash apart.
5) Lastly, it also needs new rockers and lifters. Another recall issue that was not followed thru on. That's another $1500.
Including the $1000 I spent on the radiator and oil cooler. I am almost at the point that I may consider a used engine. I can get a 2014 (both head issue and rocker/lifter issue were solved by 2014 on.) with 78k and a one year warranty. For about $2500. Plus labor. The better remanufactured engine ( I forget the brand name.) Is $5000 plus labor. But I honestly wouldn't have that much cash on hand until next spring maybe.
I got a hefty $6000-$7000 discount off bluebook on this Jeep. Because of these various issues. I paid 11k. Bluebook was 17.9k. but local market value was more like 20k. So I technically have that to fix these issues. Although I won't have the disposable cash to do so for another few months.
Any advice?
