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Jeep Wrangler X loses power while driving...

17K views 21 replies 8 participants last post by  jp2611 
#1 ·
Yesterday I noticed that I had a heavier load than usual (my kids) in the backseat - probably about 100lbs more than normal. As I was driving after approximately 30minutes, the jeep would not go more than 40mph.

For a while there, I thought it was just going to stop and shut off. I would press on the accelerator and it would not pick up. so I laid off the accelerator and then pumped a few times and that got me to a downhill portion of the highway and I was able to get to my destination. It drove well though when I got to the streets but for some reason on the highway it gave me this issue.

Any suggestions would help because I am wondering if my engine is going. The last things done to the jeep is that I added oil because my jeep burns oil at this point. So I have to keep adding a quart after every 300 - 500 miles. Also I added fuel injector cleaner (lucas). There is a noise my jeep makes, sounds like a perculator type noice whenever I speed up.

I have been noticing the loss of power in the past but it was very sporadic and lasted very little. I just thought it was bad gasoline. Now I am concerned because I travel with my kids and I don't want to get rear-ended.

Thank you.
 
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#2 ·
Yesterday I noticed that I had a heavier load than usual (my kids) in the backseat - probably about 100lbs more than normal. As I was driving after approximately 30minutes, the jeep would not go more than 40mph. For a while there, I thought it was just going to stop and shut off. I would press on the accelerator and it would not pick up. so I laid off the accelerator and then pumped a few times and that got me to a downhill portion of the highway and I was able to get to my destination. It drove well though when I got to the streets but for some reason on the highway it gave me this issue. Any suggestions would help because I am wondering if my engine is going. The last things done to the jeep is that I added oil because my jeep burns oil at this point. So I have to keep adding a quart after every 300 - 500 miles. Also I added fuel injector cleaner (lucas). There is a noise my jeep makes, sounds like a perculator type noice whenever I speed up. I have been noticing the loss of power in the past but it was very sporadic and lasted very little. I just thought it was bad gasoline. Now I am concerned because I travel with my kids and I don't want to get rear-ended. Thank you.

A quart every 300 to 500 is ridiculous. There is something deeply wrong. I would be inclined to say that your rings are very bad. To the point they could be leaking compression. Also what tires, gears, and motor do you have? I didnt look at your profile before writing this.
 
#5 ·
Ok so its a 3.8 aka a notorious oil burner, but still burning that amount of oil is ludicrous. If you have larger tires without the proper setup it could feel sluggish as well. Especially in a automatic.
 
#7 ·
It came with the original tires - not sure if this helps. The jeep came off the lot with only 12,000 miles. right now i just want this jeep to take me through one more year so i can trade it in and get a more recent model. i'm also concerned for my kids in the back seat.
 
#8 ·
If the motor is deteriorating that quickly in my opinion it needs to be replaced or rebuilt. I personally would have a sense of urgency, but if your funds dont allow they dont allow. No check engine lights are present? Does the exhaust give out a bluish tinted smoke?
 
#9 ·
no check engine lights. only when the oil is low. haven't checked the exhaust but I can today. i haven't noticed any heavy blue smoke coming from the exhaust though. just for curiousity how much does an engine swap or rebuilt go for?
 
#10 ·
Not to sure, i would check some local scrap yards. I see your in ny. Im in orange county and we have C&H salvage in campbell hall. There is another one around too but the name is eluding me at the moment. There across the river in beacon if i remember.
 
#13 ·
If the cat was plugged i think it would throw a CEL based on emissions and also most likely fail inspection.
 
#15 ·
Burning that much oil is not normal for any engine operating correctly. Do you know if you're burning it or leaking it? How about a compression check? Check your exhaust to see if there is traces of oil or high levels of soot.

Given the PCM is always in the loop its hard to correlate the loss of power with the oil loss, specially if you haven't seen a code. The loss of speed could be non-related to the oil; something like fuel starvation.
 
#18 ·
Ok, will do. Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it.

If you can think of anything else, I will follow through and be sure to update this thread so anyone else having the same issue can have hope to resolve it.

Best,

Frank
 
#19 ·
Mine also uses oil......( 07-jku-x 43K miles.) I changed oil to 10-30, flushed the crankcase with Sea Foam, dumped the oil. Using 10-30 Castrol Extended mileage oil ( Green Jug) this is a syn blend... Sure took care of the oil usage. It's not a complete fix, but it's better than having to dump oil all time...
I'd have to agree about your problem possibly being the Cats plugged up.....Sofar mine has good power and drivability....
Good luck !... "BH"
 
#20 ·
Burning that much oil will plug up the cats pretty quick for sure. The power loss as you described sounds like Cats to me as well. Also check that the PCV is not plugged. This will also cause oil burning/loss..

Did you say you were getting a pingging or strange noise as well? if its pinging (predetination), that would be bad fuel or something has caused your engine timing to go out.
 
#22 ·
Mine also uses oil......( 07-jku-x 43K miles.) I changed oil to 10-30, flushed the crankcase with Sea Foam, dumped the oil. Using 10-30 Castrol Extended mileage oil ( Green Jug) this is a syn blend... Sure took care of the oil usage. It's not a complete fix, but it's better than having to dump oil all time...
I'd have to agree about your problem possibly being the Cats plugged up.....Sofar mine has good power and drivability....
Good luck !... "BH"
If the cat was plugged i think it would throw a CEL based on emissions and also most likely fail inspection.
Could your cat converter be plugged up? When it is running is there less then normal pressure at the exhust? Any bad smell when running?

IMO these people are a lot closer to being "correct" granted different vehicle, but my TJ went through a period of "eating cats" (my fault using high octane fuel clogged the Cat(s) the key here is I never got a CEL and it drove fine around town.....For OP take it to an exhaust repair facility they can tell quickly, and it is a LOT CHEAPER than swapping motor!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#21 ·
Thank you all for your replies... Well, here's my situation... I definitely need a new mechanic that has experience with Jeeps. If anyone knows of a good mechanic that is not out to rip any one off, then please send me their info - much obliged.

The mechanic I was going to looked at a print out of this thread. He says there is no problem with this Jeep. I put it up on the lift and I don't see any issues. He won't check the CAT or the PCV valve. It's funny that after I drove it into his lot the steering wheel locked up. He had just replaced my gear box a few weeks ago. He gets in the car struggles a bit to turn it and then turns to me and says... it's fine now... I need to start learning how to repair my own...
 
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