I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. This past month I noticed the Jeep sounding weaker and weaker and is having a hard time accelerating with power. It is starting to make these loud noises (almost like it is dry) and has a tremendous loss of acceleration. See video below.


Recent fixes in the past two weeks:

High Mileage Oil Change 10W 30
Serpentine Belt
Radiator
Radiator Flush
Thermostat Housing
Ignition Coil
Spark Plugs

Still get that sound and feels terrible to drive. What could be the issue?

*You will notice the Oil gauge is not properly responding due to the Oil Temp sensor right above the Oil Filter getting knocked off during an oil change. I replaced it but it still gives me the Check Gauges light due the wire harness being exposed apparently. However I don't think that is the issue.

 

This started happening after the oil change?

 

@agreen Not after the oil change, before it. I already had a oil change prior to it acting up and thought maybe it could have been a bad oil change so I got another but that still didn't make any difference. Not sure if it could be an Air issue? My air filter is not in the greatest condition. I also was reading maybe it could be the Air Intake Temperature Sensor.

The Jeep will run fine for the first 20-30 minutes but then as you keep driving that's when it starts to feel a loss of power and acceleration. Making that noise in the video as I begin to accelerate. Sometimes it won't make that noise, most times it will as if something with the gears is slipping (not sure).

The Jeep doesn't jerk or have any other major sounds coming from it, totally calm otherwise.

I am going to buy a new air filter and see if that helps...

 

i cannot watch the video, its blocked at work, but what is your temp gage reading during and leading to this?

asking because it sounds like an overheat event. i wish i could watch the video

 

@superj The temp gauge is consistent and is working as should, looking and reading normal to me (right around the middle). I don't believe it is a over heating issue, the Jeep hasn't ever had that happen but doesn't mean it can't. It just sounds like the Jeep isn't getting enough of "something". Tremendous loss of horse power and when accelerating make a noise struggling to get to the next gear.

Like I said, maybe it isn't getting enough air flow and the dirty air filter is restricting air from properly flowing into the engine combustion chamber. That could be it. Going to try and replace.

 

to test, take it off and go for a drive. or maybe your exhaust is clogging up? check how much flow comes out the tail pipe at start up and idling and than check once it starts acting up. a clogged cat or muffler will shut you down too. sometimes you can idle with them clogged and sometimes you an do like 15 or 20mph but that's it

 

@superj Just bought a new air filter, too early to tell but it sounds horrible, lol. I don't believe the exhaust is clogging up. Everything seems to be fine as far as the exhaust goes, nothing I noticed or smell. Where is the best place to take it to find the issue in your experience? A good diagnostic test or should I try to find someone who specializes in Jeeps locally...