@Jsswish - A white puff of smoke when a car is first started is often caused by condensation burning off from the exhaust system, and this is common. However, yours did it after about 5 minutes of highway driving which should have burned off any condensation in the exhaust pipes. White smoke can indicate an internal coolant leak caused by a blown head gasket or engine warping. Check to see how your coolant level is doing.

The other symptoms you mentioned are too vague to speculate what they may mean. Have to say though, IMO it's never a good thing when the oil level drops that fast and there is no visible leak. Depending on the engine you have the oil capacity is 5.5 or 6 quarts with filter. Putting in 2 quarts to bring it back on the stick indicates it had about 4 quarts left. Did the oil pressure light or check engine light ever come on? I'd check the oil level each gas fill up and keep a log until this is resolved.

It's good you are taking it in. Hopefully the dealer can diagnose and get your vehicle good. Keep us posted on how things turn out.

 

Do yourself a favor: Check the oil level weekly until you are satisfied that it is no longer losing any oil, and add oil if it's low. If it isn't losing any oil, check the oil level monthly, and repeat the process. You don't want to again get in a situation where you are two quarts down. Lack of lubrication will kill an engine.

 

Yep, already been getting into that routine, either weekly, or before or after a longer drive.

 

I never had any indicator light, even when the level was so low a reading could not be registered, but I did get what I call a "ghost ding". No lights on dash, just a random ding more specifically on a turn. It drove me nuts for a good week before it spent time in the garage.

Also to expand on the smoke, it was after 5 or so minutes of highway driving, but about 20 total minutes into the overall drive. Prior to the highway drive was a mixed stop and go on speed limited roads of 35 and 50, but red lights too frequent to really get any cruising in.

Any so nobody gets the wrong impression, up until about a month ago I LOVED my Cherokee. Still love it's looks outside and inside, just am losing or have lost faith in its dependability and feel this shouldn't be happening with such a new vehicle. Was really hoping for this to be my vehicle for the next 8-10 years.

 

Since coolant was mentioned I just checked my level. Car has been resting for around 2.5 hours, coolant is, guesstimating, 1-2cm below the lower (minimum?) mark. Wish I had a prior reading. Is this a "add asap" situation or better to leave as is for the dealer?

 

That's not a add-asap situation. It's the overflow bottle so if there is coolant in it then the radiator is full. A couple cm below is fine. Especially if it's never been added to over the 27k miles (I know you don't have that history). Just something to check during gas stops now and then. Ask the dealer to bring it up to proper level.

 

Hi Jsswish,

If you want me to do any follow up with your dealership once the vehicle is there, please feel free to reach out and send a PM with your VIN.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

Just sent you a PM, thanks.

 

Just wanted to post a quick(ish) update. Shortly after this post my Cherokee went to the dealer for service on these issues. After having the vehicle for 3-4 days it was noted that they found a cracked PCV pipe/valve, which they replaced, and they also replaced the tensioner. I picked it up on day 4 or 5, and on the drive home heard the audible click/grind again, and experienced some bogging down. I gave it a day or so, and as soon as I saw the smoke again I called back and told them it still wasn't right. This time I set up a test drive with the tech, took him out and made sure he heard what I heard, and felt the bog down as I felt. Luckily both were repeatable enough and he agreed he heard/felt it and it wasn't right.

After the initial visit they wanted me to put 500 miles on it as they added a dye to the oil to perform a future leak down test. The next service was scheduled and occurred at around 350 miles.

So on to service number two (or three for those counting). I dropped the vehicle off around a week after the day of the test drive with the tech. A few hours after dropping off I received a call saying they test drove another Cherokee and the "click/grind" I was hearing was repeating in that vehicle as well, so at that point all was normal. I figured that was that and I'd be getting it back as is, but they still had to complete the leak down/compression test. Another 4 or so hours passed and I knew something had to be up. I received a call late in the afternoon that the engine failed the test(s), and that pictures and data were being sent to Chrysler. The next day I received a call from Chrysler (Kori from this forum) noting the info from the dealer, and that the engine was in need of replacement. I just received the vehicle this evening (2 weeks this time with the dealer, roughly 3 overall) and have only put a few miles on it so far. I will post back with any developments, but so far the throttle has a little more response and feels slightly smoother. I still have heard the noise I noted once or twice, but it was (so far) not accompanied by a bogging down of throttle response or smoke.

I'm hoping that my endeavours to the dealer for major issues are through and that I can enjoy my Cherokee. During this time I did have 3 rentals/loaners. First - Dodge Grand Caravan - total socker mom vehicle but very nice and roomy. Second - Jeep Patriot - Nice, new, but much less refined interior. Third - old beater Jeep Compass - as it sounds, old(ish) and beat up, not much fun at all.