More experienced ppl plz chime in but it seems that the coolant level would be low after overheating because some would "boil away." As for the AC on and then it overheats, when you turn on the AC both fans should kick on that help cool the radiator. Check to see if both are coming on. If not, then check the circuit (i.e. fuse, plug harnesses on fans, etc.) If both fans are on then I recall a service bulletin being posted about plastic from the thermostat housing (imperfections chipping off) getting in the way of flow. I'm sure it can be found by googling it. Hope this helps.

-JDJeep123

 

do you smell coolant in the engine bay? I had a plastic part on the top of the engine crack and the coolant was leaking out of there. It is just to the left and below the air filter box. Jeep replaced it under warranty, but I do have the max care coverage.

 

The over-heating is not the fault of the AC being turned on. The AC is not causing the coolant to boil. That would be easily noticed. Yes, the cooling fans come on when the AC is on.

The AC showing the over heating is a result of low coolant. Yesterday, my wife turned on the AC. About a couple of minutes later, the motor over heated. She turned the AC off and came home.

I had a lot of bad dreams about this coolant leak. From a blown head gasket to leaving the Jeep at the dealers for 2 weeks.

I am HOPING the one solution is correct. About the plastic part by the air box leaking out fluid. It takes about 3000 miles to lose a half gallon. That's a pretty slow leak that would be hard to catch

 

i know i am stating the obvious, but you are losing coolant - nothing to do with the ac

either a blown/leaking head gasket or a leak somewhere, or thermostat issues forcing overheating and loss through excess pressure

first stop would be a pressure wash/steam clean of engine bay and under engine

then any fresh greasy areas are easily spotted

if no leaks externally, then it has to be a leak internally

good luck

 

If it overheats when you turn ac on could be radiator fan not working on high
Mine did similar in my case was bad wire from fuse to ac fan relay

 

Correct about the coolant. It was stated originally that I had a loss of coolant. The engine temp gauge would be sitting normal until the AC was turned on. Then, it overheated. Turn the AC off and the temps go back down.

I am definitely leaning towards an internal leak. My engine bay is very clean. No odor from antifreeze.

My question originally is something like a blown head gasket or internal loss of coolant something common to the Patriot?? Has this been experienced by anyone else?? Losing coolant with no visible signs of it?

 

I think I have discovered my coolant leak issue. The oil is way up on the stick. Maybe 2 inches up past the fill mark. Oh brother. I don't know if a blown head gasket can allow water to get into the oil. The tailpipe smoke is clean. Not white. Or the head or block is cracked. At any rate, I can bet I won't be seeing my Jeep for quite a while. Good thing I have two Camaros to drive.

 

I have to take back my statement above. I sure don't want to miss-lead anyone or cause some kind of panic mode of "this could happen to me" with coolant in the oil.

I drained some of the oil from the pan. Coolant is heavy and would have sunk to the bottom. It was 100% oil on the driveway. No coolant in the oil pan.

My plan is to take the Jeep to the dealer on Monday. They should be able to figure this out. One trick would be to check the spark plugs and see if one is burning white. Since the vehicle is under warranty, I will let them troubleshoot.

All I know is in about 6000 miles, I have added maybe a half gallon to 3/4 gallon of anti-freeze. It's going somewhere!!

 

Coolant can get into oil through a blown head gasket, depending on where the failure in the gasket is. That being said, if it had been leaking into the oil and you had been running the engine, you would see it on the oil dipstick as a white, foamy, pasty substance. There's no mistaking it when you see it.
Glad you're under warranty though, have them find out what's happening there.

Good Luck.

 

I have a 2012 Patriot. 4-cylinder with CVT. Recently, two times, I have had the engine overheat when I turn on the AC. Both times, I found the coolant level low in the radiator.



I was wondering about this problem?? I do not see any anti-freeze leaks. I do not see any smoke or residue in the exhaust. I am puzzled as to where this fluid is going.



Also, is there supposed to be a sensor that warns of low coolant levels? My overflow reservoir remains full this entire time.



I was wondering if this is some kind of common problem or not. I am going to take the Patriot to the dealership as it is still under warranty.

If it is when the ac is on then your fans probably aren't working. Check the fuse and see if it blew. I know I had that problem on mine.





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Griff,

I checked the dipstick. Since I had recently changed oil, it was a perfect color. I drained a tiny bit out of the oil pan. Nothing but clean oil.

Yesterday, my wife drove about 200 miles. The radiator was full when she left. When she got home, maybe 1/2 cup down. It takes about 3000 miles to lose a half gallon.

This is a very, very slow leak. I would think I would at least see one drop on the driveway.

 

It may only be leaking when fully hot, and if it's slow enough it may be evaporating off the hot hoses/engine before it has a chance to get anywhere. Do you smell antifreeze under the hood?

 

i had a car that had a leak through the head gasket that allowed the coolant to leak into the cylinder, but it only opened up when hot

the pressure in the cylinder prevented anything leaking when actually running, but once stopped and hot, coolant would enter a cylinder. then on the next start up it would be thrown out immediately

a pressure test when cold showed nothing

a pressure test when hot was useless as the gasket cooled as the coolant went through it and sealed again once the test was at a static pressure

car ran perfectly smoothly, couldn't see / smell anything at the tail pipe

that would be my guess.....

 

I took my 2012 Patriot to the dealer last week. He was puzzled as to where this coolant leak was coming from? He said he finally cleaned everything around the motor. It was pretty clean to start with.

After a while, leaving the motor running, he saw the drip. Just one. It was coming from the weep hole in the water pump. He said no sooner had he shut the engine off and the leak stopped. He was very glad he saw it. At a gallon in 3000 miles, that is not a very big leak. Still, a leak none-the-less.

The dealer ordered and installed a new water pump. He showed me the trail the water took out of the weep hole. He also indicated the right drive shaft had to be removed to install the new pump.

After I got home, I checked the coolant level. Still full (35 miles driven home). I then left the cap off and blew into the coolant reserve or overflow tank. To remove any air in the hose so in the future, if I do get another coolant leak, it will show with a lowering of the reservoir first. So I hope.

Anyway, the dealer said I had something like 67,000 miles left on my engine and drive train warranty. Would I buy another Patriot?? DEFINITELY!!

 

Glad you got it fixed and reported back.


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