NewXJaddict

OK. Here is the rundown. I just got done changing the coolant out. I took it for a drive up and down the road some. Everything seemed just fine. So I came back to my house. Picked up the old coolant to take it to the recycle center. Got there just fine with no issues. On the way back however I came to a stop light and as I was sitting waiting for it to turn green the Jeep just plain died on me. I started it a couple times but then as soon as I went to give it gas it just kept dying.

I finally got a couple people to help me push it off the road and into the parking lot of a gas station. I popped the hood and No coolant was spraying or leaking or anything like that. I waited for it to cool down and opened the pressure bottle and it was at the proper level. Right where that little post is inside.

The coolant did not look mixed with oil or anything and from what I could tell the oil did not look milky either. Although I could only check the dipstick so I'm not sure how accurate that is.

I am very afraid I may have really messed this thing up and I am kind of freaking out because it is my only mode of transportation.

Oh and drive to the recycle center is only about 3 miles. So total trip if I had made it all the way back would have been about 6 miles give or take.


Please I really need some advice here.

I am considering waiting till later at night when it cools off and trying to limp it home. Its about a 3 mile drive or so.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

xjoffroad

your jeep just died and you think it has to do with your coolant?

is it getting fuel? can you hear the fuel pump come on? is there fuel at the rail? are you getting spark?

why your jeep died, has nothing to do with coolant

NewXJaddict

Well All I can say is that the coolant is the only thing I messed with today. I can tell you also that When I opened the hood It smelled burnt. Can't exactly describe the smell. Not like burnt oil or coolant.

From what I can tell yes the fuel pump comes on and yest it is getting fuel. It starts and runs.

It just acts like it doesn't want to go. I started it and drove it long enough to get it from the front of the building to the back.

It's just a really strange thing to have happen all of a sudden.

xjoffroad

if it runs and is sluggish, look at your fuel filter, could be clogged and gone bad. I have CPS's go bad and do the same thing making the xj sluggish

4jeepers

X2, I don't see how either!

NewXJaddict

Ugh..I feel like I am going to be sick now.

I do appreciate your input. I just don't understand that burnt smell. Never smelled anything like it before.

I guess I need to figure out a way to get it home to be able to check more things out.

I'm just really freaked out right now.

xj_maniac_newb

may sound stupid but check your cat, made my jeep run like crap until i replaced it, and made a burning smell when it heated up really hot and partially melted/burnt some of the carpet over it. It could be a combination of things

NewXJaddict

I am also trying to remember more symptoms. It just all happened pretty quick.

I know I didn't hear any knocking or tapping or grinding or anything like that. No hissing or gurgling. No out of place sounds at all. Just the usual belt squeak.

Seemed like it wanted to move but it kinda jerked and shuttered then died. And like I said it was extremely sudden I don't recall any strange activity leading up to this.

95Cherokee

If your cat is bad there will be a smell like rotten eggs.

NewXJaddict

Would that make it stop and shutter and die suddenly like that all at once?

95Cherokee

That's just the way my grandfather went, anyway, check your battery terminals for snugness, eliminate the easy stuff first, and check the ground underneath for fluid leaks.

95Cherokee

Yes, a blocked cat can cause it to stall at idle.

Read this. http://www.ehow.com/facts_4854981_si...converter.html

NewXJaddict

Just redid the battery terminals yesterday cranked em down nice and tight. No leakage underneath either. I parked in 2 different spots where it died and not a drop.

NewXJaddict

wow...I think you might have hit the nail on the head with that.

After reading that I feel a bit more relieved. I guess if it were an overheating issue I would have lots of other obvious signs, boiling, hissing.

Now my next question is this ... if it is infact a clogged or bad cat. Will I be ok limping it the few miles back home or will I do lots more damage?

95Cherokee

A clogged cat can increase engine temp, keep a check on the temp gauge on the way home............I hope you don't have the idiot light.