i was pulling my bass boat today and it was hot outside.. the jeep was was running hot like 240-260 and i was pulling a hill then it started smoking and i pulled over and there was tranny fluid all over and..i got it home and it was running hot but it was running fine no tranny slipping..what can this be

 

Sounds like you were leaking tranny fluid. Probably onto the exhaust, which would cause a lot of thick smoke. Check the cooler lines for cracks and leaks.

 

but why would it leak, and trans cooler lines, or radiator cool lines?

 

Transmission cooler lines. Provided you have them, of course. Not sure if all Cherokees do or not.

Could be lots of reasons. I know on my old Chevy there was a length of rubber line between the metal tubing, it cracked on me and I had a leak. Or maybe a rock hit it, or just fatigue.

Either way, I say if you find where the transmission fluid came from, you've found your culprit. If you don't have a transmission cooler, it's possible that the transmission overheated, the fluid expanded, and came out the overflow. If you are going to do a lot of towing and you don't have a cooler already, get one. The ~$150 you'll spend will be a lot better than a $1500 transmission repair.

 

It is possible that you have a hairline fracture that only leaks when it gets real hot,for now . Or there was just a wee bit too much fluid and when it expanded it vented. Check it carefully I have seen plenty of cars become crispy critters from transmission leaks.

 

okay, and do u have a recommended trans cooler

 

and i think i am going to buy the dye to put into the fluid to find the leak,,and then put leak sealer into it

 

I don't think I'd put sealer in an automatic transmission. There are a ton of tiny little fluid passages in the valve body that control when and how it shifts. I'd be afraid it'd gum that up. Honestly if you have a cracked cooler line, the line will probably cost what the can of sealer will, or pretty close. As for aftermarket coolers, I dunno, pretty much anything should work better than nothing.

 

okay thanks for the help, what about the dye to find the leak? you put it in and use an ultraviolet light to see the dye

 

If you have the tow package you should have a trans cooler. I agree though, I wouldnt put any sealer in the trans.

 

any pics of a trans cooler because i dont know if it has one

 

No, I don't. Usually stock ones are built into the radiator, easiest way to check is to see if there are two small metal tubes running from the transmission to the radiator. However looking at my Quadratec magazine, it looks like only the 'Heavy Duty Cooling' optioned radiator has a trans cooler.

 

okay well thanks for all the info guys

 

This and a tow package means you have tow hooks on the front, full skid plates(front, t-case, gas tank) and a class 3 trailer hitch.

 

I'd bet it is NOT a crack or leak. Transmissions have a relief valve that allows fluid to escape when the trans is overpressured...as in very hot and under heavy load. I had a F350 dually Powerstroke do this once backing an RV trailer into a camping spot. Scared me. Took truck to dealer in Maine and a smart mechanic checked it out and told how transmissions are built.

It takes a lot of pressure and heat, but you can bet there is a relief mechanism in your (our) transmissions to prevent it from detonating under load.