madmagnuson

I just bought a 94 jeep grand cherokee ltd. This was a private party sale. The gas light was on when I went to leave the sellers house and I had about 1.5 miles to the nearest gas station. I was able to make it to the turn signal in front of the gas station when it died. I put 5 gallons of gas in the tank and let it sit for a few minutes. When I went to go start it, it started up but if I let off of the gas it would die. Got it home and had to drive it in second, mind you it is an automatic, overdrive is not working. When first leaving the sellers house, I was able to put into drive but the engine just revved, I figured that I didn't have it in gear all the way being a new vehicle to me, with a little wiggle on the gear shift, it slipped right into drive. I knew that there was supposedly a hole in the top of the radiator and have made arrangement to replace this weekend. From the sellers house to mine it is probably 5 miles. By the time I got home the engine would idle in park but was idling below 1, the engine is also overheating really bad. Any thoughts as to what else may be wrong? Or did I just get totally screwed on this transaction

Slick761

Slow down and focus on one thing at a time. First you gotta get it to run good. If you ran it outta gas you prob sucked crap through the fuel pump. Fuel filter is.the.easiest place to start. You also might want to post in the grand Cherokee tech section. I would love to help Need to know specs... what engine miles more info on radiator and cooling problem etc.

madmagnuson

Thank you, the engine miles are 192k, come to find out there is not a hole in the top of the radiator. There was once, but from all of the leakage, the side starting at the hole all the way down, has rusted through. I have a radiator ordered and until it is installed, I cannot really do anything with the jeep.

VTJeep

well, my folks always said look before you leap... I think this is why I try to test and inspect every little thing on a rig before I commit... Hell sometimes just flipping a switch will reveal a hidden issue. And jeeps have plenty of hidden issues. When I bought mine I didnt try the windows from the pass. Doors... Come to find out my master window switch is busted and new they are like 140... Oops...
but as far as offering something useful as it is a little late to give it back... Well, get it to a shop that will give you an honest run down of the issues. Get a code reader on there, get it tuned up... Jeeps can cause headaches petty easy, but they can also be a pretty simple fix, too. Idk, they are rugged and when running right are damn near unstoppable! Good luck.
an after thought- older jeeps dont always like having their tranny fluid flushed. There are horror stories about having complete failure after a flush... Just throwing that in there...

Slick761

That tyranny flush thing goes.with all older cars..... like when you have an older car that runs great till you de-grease the engine and realise that was what.was holding it together Hahahaha

Turbo X_J

Before you start throwing money & parts at it pull the plugs and do a compression test. As far as the overheating did that happen during your test drive as well?

413maxwedge

It needs a new rad that is why it over heats.

413maxwedge

Like you said get the cooling system done and fixed, then start on a major tune up on it.On the tranny try to tighten your linkage up,drain out what you can for fluid change the filter and top fluid off (5qts) i think,then go from there.

413maxwedge

Of course you might have plugged up the sock on the fuel pump when it ran out of gas to. 1994 I think you will have an external fuel filter also so change that to,could have plugged up your injectors also.Seafoam time, yes it does work to.gl

Turbo X_J

Why bother installing a new radiator if the motor is trashed? A compression test is free.
RIF

madmagnuson

@ turbo x_j
No the engine did not overheat during the test drive. The radiator is already pulled and I found the hole. The original hole was at the top of the radiator on a crease, unfortunately, water dripping out of the hole has rusted the radiator all the way down. The new radiator will be here Tuesday and I am only out a hundred for that. This was just something to get me by until I have my husbands car loan paid off and go get another suv or van. If I can get it running correctly, then after I have another street vehicle, I was planning on turning this into a toy

94JeepCherokeeMan

Don't worry, we'll get you through this one! How much did you pay for it, btw?

Slick761

You're so niice Hahaha.

94JeepCherokeeMan

Slick, it's better than SOME people on here! People get so pissy!

Slick761

Hey I'm not knocking ya. Let's get this thing troubleshot!