2001 Jeep Wrangler: engine overheating

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Engine · 132,000 miles · NE

Another victim of the 2000-2001 jeep 4.0l cylinder head cracking between cylinders 3 and 4 on the cylinder head. Cracked head has caused many other expensive problems throughout the engine such as (coolant system failure, crankcase bearing failures, oil pump failure, valve stems being warped, etc.) after extensive research and being a part of many online polls this is obviously a problem with jeeps of all models that have the 4.0l inline 6 cylinder heads of these years. The vehicle was in motion when cracked head occurred causing the engine to overheat as well as oil pressure to drop. Also caused malfunction and ruined o2 sensors on vehicle. The cylinder heads in these 2000-2001 jeeps of all models are faulty and it is obvious cause jeep changed the heads the following year in 2002. They claim that these heads are cracking due to the engine overheating. This particular jeep has never been overheated in order for it to cause the cylinder head to crack. They are faulty.

Filed Oct 15, 2012 · Engine · 136,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the engine overheated several times. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the radiator was replaced twice and the engine seal was also replaced however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who determined that the engine head gasket was cracked, causing pistons 3 and 4 to fail. In addition, the radiator fluid began to drain abnormally. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 136,000 and the current mileage was 148,000. ..updated 11/28/12 *bf the consumer stated the engine head was cracked. Updated 12/03/12

Filed Sep 22, 2012 · Visibility · 30,000 miles · NV

The A/C,heater blower switch mopar part 305011214aa over heats and the wiring start to melt,the switch starts to melt and then the switch fails. There appears to be to much current draw from the blower motor. It causes the dark green power lead connected to the switch to overheat melting the insulation on the lead and the connections on the switch. This has occured again today september 22,2012. This caused the same problem,wires overheat,connections and wires melt and switch housing at connections start to smolder until switch fails,when switch fails current ceasses to flow to blower motor and everything cools down enough to prevent further damage to switch wiring. Fuse for the circuit does not blow out. To repair, switch must be replaced and new wire connectors insalled,and the dark green wire will start to get hot enough to be uncomfable to the touch. Dealership parts dept. Employees have confirmed that these switch fail regularly.,

Filed Jul 31, 2012 · Electrical, Visibility · 113,882 miles · GA

The dash blower control was not working. When the mechanic check it and the system, it was discovered that the blower had over heated the pigtail connectors and melted them. The blower control was visibly melted and multiple signs of overheating were apparent. The blower control, all pigtail connectors and the blower had to be replaced. This was caught just short of me having to deal with a fire being caused by this over heating of the electrical parts of the A/C-heater system. This is the same situation as reported in other complaints. Refer to odi id numbers: 10364281, 10283272, 10181912 and 10145512.

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Engine · 90,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 jeep wrangler. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was maneuvered to a safe location. The contact noticed the engine overheated and the radiator reservoir was empty. The contact dispensed coolant into the reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the blown head gasket. One week after the repair was performed the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed May 5, 2010 · Engine · 25,000 miles · CA

2001 jeep tj, 40,000 miles, slowly losing coolant over the course of 4 yrs. Used a pressure tester and verified no external leaks. However, used the same pressure tester with engine running, per the instructions, and the system gradually built pressure from 18 lbs to 25 lbs before I stopped the test. This indicates coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. Currently my oil pressure is good and there is no coolant contamination on the dip stick or under the oil fill cap. At risk (long term) is the internal engine bearings: cam and crankshaft. I found a thread on the internet that covers many jeep tj owners with the exact same problem of coolant loss. This is all due to a bad batch of cylinder heads with casting # 0331, manufactured from 2000 through 2006.

Filed May 26, 2009 · Engine · 65,000 miles · KY

I bought this used with only 54,000 miles on the engine. Within a year and at 65,000 miles, it began overheating and leaking coolant. My brother thought it was a cracked head or gasket. After tearing the motor apart and sending the head to be checked, two large cracks were found. The casting # is 331. My brother has been trying to find another head for me and was told by one of the sellers that he can't keep the parts in stock due to the high number of demand for this part.

Filed Jan 29, 2009 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NC

We purchased a 2001 jeep wrangler about two years ago. Back in november, the vehicle began to overheat. Thinking it was the hoses or radiator cap, we replaced both, which stopped it for awhile. In december, it began to leak again, so we replaced the radiator. It is now january and it has begun to leak again. We have ordered a new radiator, but it doesn't appear that the leak is coming from the radiator, and after reading some of the complaints on the internet regarding the 2001 wrangler, we are afraid it may be a cylinder head. Has there been a recall on this? There seems to be a lot of complaints related to it'

Filed Mar 20, 2008 · Engine · 71,000 miles · IL

I bought the vehicle in may 07. 2001 jeep wrangler sahara with 4.0l. @ months after buying the vehicle I lost oil pressure. Vehicle returned to dealership and the oil pump was replaced. Less than 500 miles I returned the vehicle to said dealer with a nasty internal engine rattle. Dealer replaced collapsed lifter and bent pushrod. Less than 100 miles later vehicle returned to dealer again with the internal noise. Vehicle torn apart and had the camshaft, lifters pushrods replaced. It has been 7500 miles since my last visit. I now have a slow coolant leak that is making its way into the oil system. I have removed the cylinder head and found a crack in the casting. The casting # is 0331. I have spent numerous hours researching this specific casting # and it is notorious for cracking and slowly leaking coolant into the oil system. My jeep only has 71,000 miles!! This is an absolute let down and has tarnished my outlook on chrysler and the quality of their products. The typical lifetime for these heads is between 60-85,000 miles. Do a search for jeep 0331 on google, you'll see the overwhelming number of jeep owners with this problem. Chrysler needs to be held responsible for their lack of quality and manufacturing and selling a defective product.

Filed Apr 2, 2004 · Engine · 42,000 miles · CT

I bought my wrangler in october 2000, which was a new 2001. Up until this year, 2004, I have been losing coolant fluid from the reserve bottle. The dealership which the vehicle was purchased, bill deluca chrysler, plymouth, jeep, inc., in havehill, ma, tested it right through my warranty expiration. It was not until I broke down in ct, where another jeep dealership, georgetown jeep dealership, told me about a dye test should be performed. When I went back to my original dealer, I had to argue with them to perform the dye test, because they wanted to pressurize my jeep...again. When they performed the dye test they found the head gasket leaking and told me I had to pay for it. Eventually, through complaining the this problem should have been found on my previous visits before my warranty expired, they did a "good will" job. I still ended up paying a good portion. Two months later my engine seized and it was described, from deluca dealership, as a major engine failure and I would require a new engine. When they brought the problem to their chyrsler rep., the person told them I only needed a short block and not the full engine. Though I was told I needed a full engine, I was only given a short block. I asked the dealership if I still had full engine warranty and I was told yes. As time went on, I was still losing coolant. I eventually moved to another state. When I brought it to a new jeep dealership, georgetown jeep, in norwalk , ct, they could not find anything at first. I gave them the okay to dismantle my engine to look deeper. What they found was a crack in my engine. They told me it was insane I did not receive a full engine. Chrysler and deluca refused to pay and I ended up paying $2000. I was told this crack was there for quite a long time and possibly upon inception of the vehicle. I have wrote to chrysler and they still refuse to help standing by their original word. Customer service would not even help me after repeatedly calling.