I just got this jeep from my parents cause they didn't want to pay the costs to fix it. The problem with it is its over heating any suggestions on what I could check? You can drive it for maybe 10 min at 50mph then it slowly starts to rise temperature when I pull over it idles at 2 2.5. Then it starts to smoke or steam. Looks like there might be a small leak from the tubing connecting to the radiatator not sure if that's the problem or something worse.

 

could be several things, start with the easy stuff and go from there. check your rad to make sure it is not clogged, check your clutch fan to make sure it is working. things like that.

 

We need more info on your jeep like year and what engine you got.

 

2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo sport v6 4.0L I noticed that the heater core isn't hooked up and I don't think it has one could that cause it even though I didn't use the ac or anything

 

Welcome to CF! BTW, that's a straight 6, not a V6.

There is an electric fan that should start running when it gets above 210*F. If it doesn't, that's one problem. Are there hoses connected to the heater? If not, there must be a hose looped around and connected to the water pump and the thermostat housing. Without this hose, the coolant bypass flow is cut off and it will heat up very quickly. If the coolant was mixed with hard water, there could be mineral deposits in the radiator causing blocked coolant flow. Also, look for bugs and debris stuck in the radiator cooling area. Next is a broken water pump impeller. This can happen with a plastic impeller and worn bearings. Last is a stuck thermostat.

If the leak isn't coolant, it may be a transmission cooling line. Transmission fluid is a red colored oil.

Without being there, I can't tell you much about the high idle. Especially if it happens only when it's hot. Lastly, check your oil to see if there is coolant in it. You could have a blown head gasket.