REWSTER

its like -30 here and my 2000 XJ 4.0 didn't start this morning but the battery gauge when i turned the key was at about 12 volts wouldn't 12 be enough too start it? i just hope that there is the right mix of antifreeze in there i haven't done a flush like i usually do when i buy a new car,i hope that it didnt freeze up on me.

also how do you get the hood open when one of the latches is stuck

zr2toxj

Isn't this cold snap great? 12 volts isn't the only thing to look at, it's the amperage, or cold crank amperage of the battery. Think about what the engine oil and other lubricants must look like at -30, probably about the consistency of grease. So your battery has got to have some amperage to turn that engine over fast enough to fire.

Did it turn over at all? or just slowly? If it is frozen, you'll know soon enough the temp will go real high quickly. Good luck!

REWSTER

it didnt turn over at all it almost started but not all the way i just gave up and drove my wifes car to work and ill be going on my lunch to try again


any help on the hood thing?

TrekkerJmm

Got To stick your arm up through the bumper and open it that way, sometime you even have to take out the headlights depending on what year it is...Tj

REWSTER

Are those heaters that go in your lower rad. hose good to have i just called on one for about 40 bucks but i just wanted to ask for opinions on those before i get one or were could i find the type that go in the water plug?

BuckB91XJ

If you didn't personally check the anti freeze ratio, yourself, I'd say at -30 there is a good chance that it froze up on you. I hope it didn't.

JeepCoMJ

if you say it almost started, then it definitely turned over.

if it didn't turn over, it didn't almost start.

as for no-start problems, when's the last oil change? with what viscosity oil? yes you should have flushed the coolant.

I've got the same problem with my 6.5 gmc 2500 at work in iowa right now...a coworker is driving here from wi and we're gonna try and heet the engine bay up with a torpedo heater.

BowtieGuy3

Hit me up with a PM when you get this or get home, Both of mine are acting silly too...

juicy_j

It's also entirely possible that you have some moisture in your gas lines that prohibiting the engine from getting fuel. Since your battery seems to have enough juice to turn the engine over your probably getting a spark but no fuel=no go. In the future use dry gas every time you fill up in the winter.

BuckB91XJ

I have heard of this happening under extreme cold conditions with cheap gasoline. It actually froze in the fuel lines.

juicy_j

Ya some say that new blend of ethanol gasoline that many gas stations are selling is even more prone to freezing in the gas lines.

REWSTER

thanks for the advice it has over half tank in ti so i wouldn't think thats it but any ways i went home on my lunch brake and it started right up, still cant get the hood open to check the antifreeze and battery though

redmuck

so far redmucks been starting, barely though.

JeepCoMJ

got home, the MJ had no starting issues at 10pm.

I cheated though...had my bro plug it in at 2pm

BowtieGuy3

Actually, ethanol, a from of alcohol, doesn't freeze. It actually removes water and acts like a fuel dryer. That's what's in those little bottles of Heet... Alcohol.