While I had my jeep in the shop getting the compression tested, the mechanic mentioned that the fuel injectors could be leaking overnight which could be causing my symptoms when starting (rough idle). Smoke also rolls out from underneath the metal part on the rear of the engine just above the manifold. Could a leaking injector cause a rough ignition? It has always straightened itself out once I start driving.
Fuel injectors leaking?
Anduril
21 - 40 of 75 Posts
Joined
·
12,339 Posts
Thank you! Now I'm concerned that it could be the head gasket even though I don't have any other symptoms.
I'm just learning this too. I had no idea my catalytic converter was located there.
I had been just looking at the bottle. Should I see it under the cap when I remove it?
2014 Sport 4X4 FD2 Off-road, Falken Wildpeak A/T, All weather & convienance group, EVIC, ATC, Hitch
Joined
·
3,293 Posts
Yes, you should see coolant under the cap, in the hose. As a reminder, do not remove or loosen the cap while the engine is hot, it could be extremely painful if you do.
Joined
·
12,339 Posts
Coolant loss with no obvious external leaks anywhere and white smoke points to a internal coolant leak i.e head gasket, block, head, etc.
Ask your mechanic about doing a chemical test that can find combustion gas in the engine coolant, like this:
www.harborfreight.com
www.harborfreight.com
Ask your mechanic about doing a chemical test that can find combustion gas in the engine coolant, like this:
Combustion Leak Detector
Amazing deals on this Combustion Leak Detector at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Combustion Leak Detector Fluid
Amazing deals on this Combustion Leak Detector Fluid at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
The white smoke out of the exhaust was only one time that I've seen and I've had a compression test done that came back fine.Coolant loss with no obvious external leaks anywhere and white smoke points to a internal coolant leak i.e head gasket, block, head, etc.
Ask your mechanic about doing a chemical test that can find combustion gas in the engine coolant, like this:
Combustion Leak Detector
Amazing deals on this Combustion Leak Detector at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.Combustion Leak Detector Fluid
Amazing deals on this Combustion Leak Detector Fluid at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
Joined
·
12,339 Posts
I also remember you saying you thought you might have had bubbles in the coolant.
The test I mentioned above might help find a small leak that's otherwise hard to find.
In any case, it was only a suggestion, you don't have to ask your mechanic about it if you don't want to.
The test I mentioned above might help find a small leak that's otherwise hard to find.
In any case, it was only a suggestion, you don't have to ask your mechanic about it if you don't want to.
No problem. I saw bubbles but nothing like the examples I've seen online. I bought some UV dye to see what I can see.
Andruil, I like digging for information on the Patriot yet I'm finding very little help out there. Sounds like you have several problems which may or may not be related.
You should not see any smoke up front when starting the engine so that indicates an probably exhaust leak for either a gasket, crack, or loose connection.
The rough idle after start... Does that happen each time you start the engine whether it's hot or cold or after 20-30 minutes of resting or only when sitting overnight?
Also what year is you Patriot and what engine do you have in it?
Lastly I can't find any FSM information out there for checking the fuel pressure. Obviously it will pump up to something around 35-45psi (I'm guessing) but then does the pressure stay there or immediately release to a low residual pressure. If there's no pressure in the fuel rail then I doubt very much could leak out of an injector. My YJ holds pressure for 30+ minutes but not sure about the Patriot.
You should not see any smoke up front when starting the engine so that indicates an probably exhaust leak for either a gasket, crack, or loose connection.
The rough idle after start... Does that happen each time you start the engine whether it's hot or cold or after 20-30 minutes of resting or only when sitting overnight?
Also what year is you Patriot and what engine do you have in it?
Lastly I can't find any FSM information out there for checking the fuel pressure. Obviously it will pump up to something around 35-45psi (I'm guessing) but then does the pressure stay there or immediately release to a low residual pressure. If there's no pressure in the fuel rail then I doubt very much could leak out of an injector. My YJ holds pressure for 30+ minutes but not sure about the Patriot.
Joined
·
12,339 Posts
Per a FSM, supposedly the pressure is maintained short term but eventually goes to zero.
Thanks! My guess is "For a short while" means there's probably not enough pressure to make for a rough start issue without it also throwing codes for rich mixture or a continuous rough idle. I mean things could happen but I don't see it this time. Appreciate the info.
I checked my coolant this morning. It gurgled a lot when I took the cap off but I could see coolant in the tube. I added some more just in case.
It can go days without starting rough and smoking. The smoke is definitely coming from around the exhaust manifold. I had a rough idle after starting last night when I left work. It had been sitting for about six hours. This time the smoke reminded me of a fuel smell. The electrical smell the first time was after I changed the coil packs. It could have been my mind playing tricks on me or something on the coil packs.
So what we have is a rough idle on starting (only sometimes) which always seems to coincide with smoke from the exhaust manifold. The roughness will work itself out. A compression test revealed 125 across all cylinders. The oil on the dipstick is fine and there is just condensation under the oil fill cap which doesn't really get burnt off because I live five minutes from home and don't travel with it much.
The only codes I have had are the one for the coolant temp sensor (which was replaced) and misfire on cylinder 3. The spark plugs looked fine when I had the compression test done. 2013 2.4.
If the rough idle lasts long enough you can try checking the new coil packs. start with #1 and unplug the coil electrical connector then plug it back in. You should get a very noticeable change in sound/rpm. Work your way across through #2,#3 and #4. If one shows no or little change then you may have a bad new coil or spark plug. You can check coils by switching places between the bad and a good one to see if the problem follows the coil.
I installed new coils in a Nissan Rogue and have one go bad after three months. The problem was very similar to yours. If you have an AutoZone or any other friendly parts store nearby they will gladly do a free code scan to help.
My coworker brought a scanner to work today. I've also noticed that my temp gauge will creep up just a little past halfway and then go back down. It has done this for a long time. I filled it up with coolant this morning. I'm hyper aware of every little thing that this vehicle does now and I don't like it lol!
My temp gauge has been creeping up past halfway on short trips around town. It goes back down on its own without turning the heat on. This is after driving it for about 3 miles with a slightly inclined long hill. It's always done this and I'm not sure how normal it is. It did it before on longer drives but now it's only after a short trip. I have new thermostats ordered and plan to do a coolant flush when I change them. The coolant level is fine and I added some UV dye to see what I can see.
I filled it up a couple of days ago and I haven't noticed my gas gauge changing. I also used some seafoam when I filled it up. I only drive about 10 miles a day. It seemed like it was dropping but today when the temp gauge went up, I think I noticed the gas gauge all the way full.
I have no idea what's going on.
I filled it up a couple of days ago and I haven't noticed my gas gauge changing. I also used some seafoam when I filled it up. I only drive about 10 miles a day. It seemed like it was dropping but today when the temp gauge went up, I think I noticed the gas gauge all the way full.
I have no idea what's going on.
21 - 40 of 75 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
