Ok where do I start? The car has 113,000 on it. was used very rarely by an old couple. P0300 Multiple misfires so I would think from reading here it need plugs, coils etc. , correct?
Took it out today for a drive ran great for maybe 50 miles then the temp gauge started rising. I would pull over let it cool, and it would start rough but after awhile run fine then the gauge would go up again.
Any help would be wonderful!
Thanks Everyone..everyone is doom and gloom. I am trying to be optimistic while tying a rope

 

Before you get too far, I would want to do the chemical test strips for combustion gases in the coolant to make sure it is not a head gasket issue. If that is good then proceed with the basic tune up : plugs and wires. The 96 and up have coil packs which I would not assume is bad. Do the plugs and wires first.

Also do a good cleaning on the MAF, the IACV and the port that it resides inside of in the plenum ( a gun cleaning kit is great for cleeaning the ports with). Also remove the TPC and clean that port real well.

There are two little hoses that go from each valve cover to the intake plenum as part of the emissions recirculating system. If these are original or not recent, they can cause problems due to vacumn leaks. Replace them. They are different sizes on each end so I recommend getting the correct ones from either AB or RN.

Also get yourself an UltraGuage scanner so you can read live data and reset codes.

Good luck.

 

IMHO a smooth running engine that overheats quickly is not worth much. I'd hold off on the plugs and wires and instead focus on the over heating causes.

 

I fully agree, figure out the overheat before you waste money on any parts. You may be replacing the motor anyway if you do not.

 

This vehicle was driven only 3,000 miles in 4 years.."the old couple" could it be it is just the sensors, plugs and wires that is causing this? Please say yes

 

Just reading another thread re: overheating...I am going to order an UG. When I stopped to let it cool, there wasn't any symptoms of overheating from the sound of the radiator or engine. (sorry as an ex jeep owner that's what it would do). Oh mother of pearl

 

Did you spend much to get it?

I would want to rule out the head gasket first before spending a lot of money on it. That test kit is around fifty bucks for several test strips.
It will quickly confirm or deny the presence of combustion gas so you can proceed based on science not wild guesses or gut feelings.

Buy an Ultraguage (around 80 bucks or so). This will provide you live data real time again so you can follow a logical path in determining what it is doing and why it is behaving as it is.

Both of these will prevent costly wildass guesses on what is wrong and what to replace.

Some of the sensors and such are very expensive. So is replacing good parts or putting new parts in a bad engine.

One that has been driven only sporadically is often more screwed up than one that is driven frequently. Also an elderly couple cannot maintain one very well themselves as most of us at least try to or have to do it ourselves.

Do you have any records on what has been done? Best to assume that it needs a complete update on everything. There is a 60k list in the tech secton you need to become familar with. And then start on after you deal with the overtemp situation.

Have you downloaded the RAVE yet?

Do you have the money to maintain it properly? Just doing all the fluids and filters along with things like wheel bearings, brakes, hoses, belt, will set you back a few hundred. And that is without any major problems. When I say all fluids that includes diffs and the front end as well.

We see a lot of people who jump on the chance to buy one of these and then freak out when they encounter the expense of the problems that do tend to surface upon driving them very much.

IF IT DOES OVERHEAT, SHUT IT DOWN QUICKLY OR YOU RISK RUINING THE ENGINE. IT IS ALUMINUM YOU KNOW. EDIT: What I really meant was do not continue to drive it in an overheat condition. You should allow it to cool by turning heater on full blast to extract the heat. If you try to just keep going like some others have done because they "had to get it home and it was only another 20 miles...."

 

It was serviced by LR @ 103,000 I have all the receipts from the garage they went to (closed til Monday) seems like they did oil changes, brakes, new exhaust and a gasket for $10 4/11 Odometer then 111,168, last bill oil ..10W30 @ 112777 1/3/12. Passed Emissions and Inspection but that doesn't say much about the issue at hand. I fully expected to do the whole tune up, lube thing. Yes when I see it going past 9 o'clock I turn it off. To be honest it ran great until I washed it at the car wash the other day lol perhaps the dirt was holding it together..

 

if things really got worse after the wash....your ECU may have gotten wet , a lot of us here have had troubles with a wet computer....as part of your service its a quick and cheap process to unhook the battery, remove the ecu and remove the ecu cover plates to make sure it's dry and clean inside & reseal it all. its only a few minutes and worth a look. Let us know how it goes

 

Just another question as I can't sleep ...the engine when running is quiet as a church mouse...would it be like that is it was the MC? I am going to try and sleep its after 4AM and reading isn't making me tired just anxious. Thanks everyone