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What jeep Owners Do That Mechanics Hate ( it's A Jeep Thing )

What jeep Owners Do That Mechanics Hate ( it's A Jeep Thing )

Car Connection Workshop Jan 30, 2026 45 min
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About this episode

Jeep owners often find themselves at odds with mechanics due to common mistakes and modifications that can lead to costly repairs. This episode dives into the top grievances mechanics have about Jeep owners, including overuse of plastic components, DIY repairs gone wrong, and problematic modifications. The host shares insights from technicians across North America, highlighting issues like electrical problems, steering failures, and the infamous 'duck thing' phenomenon among Jeep enthusiasts. With a mix of humor and practical advice, listeners gain a deeper understanding of how to maintain their Jeeps and avoid common pitfalls.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Jeep Wrangler

"whether it's a 25 year old Jeep Wrangler getting a second chance at life or a Nissan Rogue getting its brakes back in order..."

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough, off-road vehicle that many people love for adventures. It's built to go over rocks and through mud, making it great for outdoor activities.

Car

Nissan Rogue

"or a Nissan Rogue getting its brakes back in order or a mystery leak that's got everyone scratching their heads."

The Nissan Rogue is a family-friendly SUV that is easy to drive and has good gas mileage. It's a popular choice for people who need space for kids or groceries.

Car

Nissan 2008 Nissan

"...matic certainly helps you. And I like to use the 2008 Nissan Rogue that was donated to us. And you know what,..."

The Nissan 200 SX is a small, sporty car that was made a while ago and is known for being fun to drive. People like it because it’s light and can be made faster with some upgrades, which is why it’s popular among car fans.

Term

CVT transmission

"So biggest one, number one, the CVT transmission, the continuous velocity transmission. You need to service that with the dealer oil, nothing outside."

A CVT transmission is a special kind of automatic transmission that can change gears smoothly without the usual steps you feel in other automatic cars. This helps the car accelerate better and can save on gas.

Concept

supersede a part

"...they would stop the line and actually supersede a part from one vendor that's making it form to another one."

Superseding a part means changing a car's part for a better one while it's being made. This helps fix problems before the car is sold.

Concept

fixing neglect

"So if you want to see how that's working out, all we've been doing to this vehicle is fixing neglect. That's it."

Fixing neglect means taking care of problems in a car that were ignored for a long time. It involves repairing things that should have been maintained but weren't, like the engine or brakes.

Term

cooling system

"...because they didn't look after the cooling system. It was a head gas and issue."

The cooling system in a car keeps the engine from getting too hot. It uses a liquid called coolant to absorb heat and keep everything running smoothly.

Term

head gasket issue

"...It was a head gas and issue. They didn't pay attention."

A head gasket issue happens when the seal between the engine parts breaks, which can let coolant or oil leak out. This can cause the engine to overheat and can be very serious if not fixed.

Term

overheating

"...It would have had to have been overheating...."

Overheating means the engine gets too hot, which can cause serious damage. It's usually because the cooling system isn't working right.

Part

radiator

"...it blew the neck right off the radiator and it liquid locked the cylinders on the engine,..."

A radiator helps keep your car's engine cool by removing heat. If it breaks, your engine can overheat, causing serious problems.

Part

pistons

"...blew holes the size of golf balls in the pistons and you can see all that on our YouTube channel."

Pistons are parts inside the engine that help it run by moving up and down. If they get damaged, the engine won't work properly.

Car

Chrysler JK

"...on a 2018 JK, 3.6 Panda Star. And it has problems."

The Chrysler JK is a version of the Jeep Wrangler made between 2007 and 2018. It's popular for off-roading but has some issues with parts made from plastic.

Car

Jeep JK

"...I've experienced it on a neighbor's 2017 JK. And on a 2018 JK with the 3.6 Panda Star, the oil cooler is plastic."

The Jeep JK is a version of the Jeep Wrangler made between 2007 and 2018. It's built for tough terrains and is often used for off-roading.

Part

oil filter housing

"And the oil filter housing that goes along with that is plastic. It sits right down in the middle of the engine underneath the plastic intake manifold."

The oil filter housing is where the oil filter connects to the engine. It's important because it helps keep the engine oil clean and flowing properly.

Part

plastic intake manifold

"It sits right down in the middle of the engine underneath the plastic intake manifold. And it's subject to all the heat generated from the top of the engine and that's where the heat goes."

The intake manifold is like a tunnel that brings air into the engine. It's made of plastic to be lighter, but it can get damaged by heat from the engine.

Term

engine oil cooler

"It's one or the other because it's a filter oil bath and also engine oil cooler all in one."

The engine oil cooler helps keep the oil from getting too hot, which is important for keeping the engine running well and lasting longer.

Part

O-rings

"Now it still doesn't mean it's going to be perfect because you've got O-rings, rubberized O-rings in there. But it's a far cry from taking a plastic one out that fails."

O-rings are small rubber rings that help keep fluids from leaking out of car parts. They fit into grooves and create a seal when two parts are joined together.

Part

valve covers

"Plastic valve covers. Which one leaks first?"

Valve covers are metal or plastic covers that sit on top of the engine to keep oil inside and protect the parts underneath. If they leak, it can cause oil to spill out.

Part

thermostat

"Thermostat, let's go. You buy the whole thing. The thermostat comes in it."

The thermostat helps keep the engine from getting too hot or too cold by controlling the flow of coolant. It's important for the engine's performance and efficiency.

Term

corrosion

"And getting it off, if it's old and it's down low, the bolts get corrosion on them in their teeny weeny."

Corrosion is when metal parts get damaged or eaten away by chemicals or moisture. This can make it hard to unscrew or remove parts when fixing a car.

Term

suspension

"...modifications include suspension and steering, body or chassis lifts and electrical."

The suspension is what keeps your car's wheels in contact with the road. It helps absorb bumps and keeps the ride smooth and stable.

Term

accessory add-ons

"Number three, doing your own accessory add ons, whatever that may be, lights, brackets, external coolant filter, or what we call a remote cooling filter for why I don't know why you would do that."

Accessory add-ons are extra parts you can add to your car to make it look better or work better. They aren't included when you buy the car but can be installed later.

Term

fuses

"...how the Jeeps don't catch fire. Using speaker wire for electrical connections without any of it being fused, wrong wiring, terrible routing, no fuses installed."

Fuses are small devices in your car's electrical system that help protect it. If too much electricity flows through, the fuse will break and stop the flow, preventing damage.

Term

manual transmission

"Number five, steering issues are pattern failures. Number six, they took their strong manual transmission and changed it to a complicated German transmission that is junk."

A manual transmission is a car's system that lets you change gears yourself, usually by using a stick and a pedal. Many people like it because it gives them more control over how the car drives.

Term

oil pressure

"...3.6 liter Panistar oil galley bolts walk out dropping oil pressure and the bolts fall into the oil pan and it's over."

Oil pressure shows how well oil is moving through the engine. If the pressure is low, it means the engine might not be getting enough oil, which can cause serious damage.

Term

valve cover gasket

"...passenger side valve cover gasket leak huge undertaking to get to it. You got to take battery out the battery tray power steering lines and the list goes on and on and on..."

The valve cover gasket helps keep oil inside the engine. If it breaks, oil can leak out, which can cause engine problems and is expensive to fix because it requires a lot of work to reach.

Term

Pentastar

"Same thing for the Jeeps putting a supercharger on a 3.6 liter Pentastar, not a good idea."

The Pentastar is a type of engine made by Chrysler. The 3.6-liter version is used in many Jeep and Dodge cars and is known for being powerful and efficient.

Term

horsepower

"You're going to gain some horsepower, but it isn't worth it."

Horsepower is a way to measure how strong an engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster or do more work.

Term

bearings

"Ticking noise, rocker issues, the bearings and the rockers and I know an upgrade and I got that from Dave's Automotive out in the Colorado area."

Bearings are parts in the engine that help other parts move smoothly. If they break, it can cause big problems for the engine.

Term

engine rebuild

"I actually got a chance to see that ticking noise and the fix is when they rebuild the engines because those rockers come apart, the bearings come out of them and it's a huge problem."

An engine rebuild is when a mechanic takes apart the engine to fix or replace broken parts. This helps the engine work better and last longer.

Term

JK

"The engines kaboom, when they build the engine they do away with that rocker style on the JK."

The JK is a type of Jeep Wrangler made between 2007 and 2018. It's popular for off-roading but has some known problems with its engine parts.

Car

FJ Cruiser

"...I experienced that death wobble on my 07 FJ and I'm thinking, holy smokes, this is horrendous. The steering wheels knocking back and forth uncontrollably..."

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough SUV designed for off-roading. The 2007 version is known for its strong build and ability to handle rough terrain.

Concept

lifting

"lifting the newer Jeeps voids your warranty. Unless the lift is done and the parts are provided from Chrysler to do the lift..."

Lifting is when you raise a vehicle higher off the ground, which can help it drive better on rough roads or look cooler. But if not done correctly, it can cause problems with the car's warranty.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...y call that the secondary battery, put a trickle charger on it was the only thing he said you could do and..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It’s popular because it has a lot of room inside and is fun to drive, making it a good choice for people who want a mix of family car and sports car.

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