Keeping your Jeep up to date with constant maintenance will prevent any possible issues from developing, some of which may not be repairable. If you’ve been driving your Jeep for a while, then you know how it feels and what it sounds like. Anything out of the ordinary needs attention.
There are warning signs of a failing Jeep engine that you need to look out for. These may appear at the most inconvenient times, preventing you from having a pleasant ride. Taking your Jeep for servicing and checking all the guidelines and usage will keep your motor and engine running without problems. These signs will tell you what to look for and how to fix issues.
Constant Shaking
Knowing your Jeep and how it usually moves gives you an idea of what you should expect every time. If your Jeep is constantly shaking nonstop, it means that balancing is overdue or some parts of the engine are loose. It becomes a bigger problem if your Jeep increases its shaking at higher speeds because that could throw the Jeep off balance.
To avoid these problems, take your Jeep for professional maintenance every six months or every time you hit 10,000 miles on the odometer. You can do certain maintenance procedures on your own, such as changing the oil or filling tires with air, but take it to the professionals for more delicate situations.
A Stopping Engine
You may come across a situation where the engine is on, but there’s no movement in the car, like when you stop at a red light, and the engine turns off. This is an obvious problem because it might not be getting the right flow of gas or electricity to keep it going.
When you experience a problem like this, you need to take your Jeep for assessment with professionals. Issues like this could develop into bigger problems and put you at risk when driving on the streets.
Strange Noises
Jeeps generally have loud motors and engines because of their power and size. If you have been driving your Jeep for a while, then you know the normal noises it makes. Hearing loud banging sounds, backfiring, or hissing means something is wrong with the engine.
Older Jeep models make louder noises, as the engine requires more power for all-terrain roads, and moving a heavy vehicle isn’t simple. For instance, the 1964 Willys Jeep parts are heavy and resistant to different environments and inclement weather. The engine provides power and not as much speed, which was ideal for the purpose of that Jeep at that time. Keep these kinds of variations in mind when assessing the noises your vehicle makes.
Burning Smell
Sometimes, small particles and debris will enter the engine, especially in vehicles like Jeeps, where off-roading and mountain roading are common. These elements will burn inside the engine and cause a burning smell to come from the engine, but it’s not normal if this happens every time you turn it on.
When its engine starts to fail with its combusting gas, a burnt smell will appear. This means your engine needs immediate attention. Otherwise, it could catch on fire. Any other smell from your Jeep that’s not normal may also indicate the engine needs attention.
Excessive Gas Usage
It’s not uncommon for Jeeps to use lots of gas because they’re heavy vehicles designed for heavy-duty activities. The power comes from the engine and needs to burn enough gas to move a heavy load. However, a Jeep using more gas than normal likely has a problem.
To fix this problem, you must check that everything connected to the engine is properly attached, clean the tubes for proper flow, and ensure the engine is free of debris. You can also add a special fuel cleaner to the gas tank to safely clean it. When adding this cleaner, you should only turn the engine on but not try to go for a ride until it all burns away.
An Overheating Engine
Another warning sign of a failing Jeep engine that might not be as visible is the engine overheating with every use. Sometimes, you might be too late in realizing this keeps happening, especially when the engine is already smoking. A good way to constantly check for this is to gently place your hand on the hood. This will instantly let you know if the temperature is up.
To decrease the temperature, you can open the hood and pour some water at room temperature to refresh the engine. Park your car safely and turn it on neutral with the hand brake engaged. If this constantly happens, you need to have your Jeep serviced.
Oil Patches
An oil patch is a very noticeable sign of something wrong with your engine. It isn’t unusual for Jeeps to suffer from oil patches, especially when off-roading and running into something sharp that could damage the engine from underneath. It will sometimes also happen that oil will leak because of lack of maintenance or the presence of old parts.
This may not be a huge threat to your engine, depending on how big and persistent the oil patches are. You can get seals on your engine to fix this. Professionals deal with this type of problem all the time, so they’ll be able to set it right in no time to prevent larger and more expensive problems.
Smoke From the Exhaust
Emissions are inevitable for any vehicle that functions with gas, but sometimes, these aren’t visible. If your exhaust releases large quantities of black smoke, your engine has a problem. This can be due to different reasons, such as a clogged fuel return, engine damage, or sensors malfunctioning.
There are three colors of smoke that you may see: black, gray, or blue. Black and blue relate to engine malfunctions, where oil may be leaking and burning into the engine. This problem could happen due to worn-out pistons, damaged valves, or a damaged engine.
To keep your Jeep in optimal condition, you must keep an updated maintenance schedule. You can also seek the help of professionals to take care of it. Professionals specialize in fixing engines, changing spare parts and colors, and maintaining the look of your classic Jeep for an outstanding result.