Repeated Stalling on Steep Declines – 2023 Wrangler 392 Experiences

[Captain Overkill]

I wonder why the 3.6 and 2.0 equipped Wranglers don't face the same issue? Do the 3.6 and 2.0 Jeeps have a more vertically oriented fuel tanks, while the 392 tank is more flat and elongated? A taller, but shorter length tank would help the situation.

 

[Earl 392]

It seems the only (or simplest?) way for Jeep to "fix" this is to have a fuel pick-up at both the rear AND the front of the tank. The 2 pick-ups would then be connected together ("T" connector?) into a single fuel line.

Can’t have a pickup sucking air the pump will burn up but maybe two tanks that interchange pickup. Down hill front tank up hill rear tank.. this is 2024 should not be rocket science just pass the cost onto us

 

[Earl 392]

I wonder why the 3.6 and 2.0 equipped Wranglers don't face the same issue? Do the 3.6 and 2.0 Jeeps have a more vertically oriented fuel tanks, while the 392 tank is more flat and elongated? A taller, but shorter length tank would help the situation.

Ground clearance is the challenge

 

[Earl 392]

Ground clearance is the challenge

The 3.6 and 4 cylinder turbo get better mileage.

 

[Captain Overkill]

Can’t have a pickup sucking air the pump will burn up but maybe two tanks that interchange pickup. Down hill front tank up hill rear tank.. this is 2024 should not be rocket science just pass the cost onto us

But with a pick-up at each end of the tank, one of the 2 pick-ups would be sucking fuel, right? As it is right now, when you point down a steep hill with under a half tank, the 1 pick-up sucks air, and there is no back-up pick-up to suck fuel from the other end of the tank.

 

[Captain Overkill]

The 3.6 and 4 cylinder turbo get better mileage.

But they have smaller fuel tanks, and not much ore range because of the smaller tanks. Am I correct that 2.0 and 3.6 have a 17.5 gallon tank, the 4xe has a 17.2 gallon tank, and the 392 has a 21.5 gallon tank?

I think the Rubicon with the 35" trie package gets a combined 17 mpg, and the 392 gets 14 mpg combined. The theoretical ranges are:
17 x 17.5 = 297.5 miles for Rubicon 3.6 with 35" tires
14 x 21.5 = 301 miles for a 392.
Those might be optimistic numbers for both, but they are roughly a tie for range.
I am "guessing" that the fuel tank for the 392 is a longer and flatter profile, and therefore more affected by angled surfaces.

 

[Overkill]

But with a pick-up at each end of the tank, one of the 2 pick-ups would be sucking fuel, right?

The uncovered end would suck air especially if the middle of the 'T' was uncovered. I would think having the pickup on a hose that could move around like in a chainsaw would be better, but probably hard to do with in tank pumps.

 

[tjeeper]

Am I correct that 2.0 and 3.6 have a 17.5 gallon tank, the 4xe has a 17.2 gallon tank, and the 392 has a 21.5 gallon tank?

No. 2 doors with the 2.0 and 3.6 have 17.5 gallons, 4 doors have 21.5. No idea about the 4xE.

I've never had a starvation issue from my 2018 JLUR 3.6 even at extreme angles.

I did once with my '09 JKUR. I had a good dent on the front of the fuel tank and was going downhill. There was about 5 gallons in the tank. I figured the rear pickup line was uncovered, and the front the pick up was also uncovered because it was pushed up by the dent in the tank. We had to siphon off gas from other vehicles to get me started. When I got home I dropped the skid (stock) and hammered out the dent. The plastic tank conformed, and it never happened again.

My point is that Jeeps will often have one pick up tube in uncovered while driving the extreme angles we do. Somehow the pump is able to pull fuel when one pick up tube is in the air. Not sure how that is done mechanically. What is happening with the 392s is different, almost seems like a software issue if the low fuel light comes on, the engine is turned off. I've had had several Jeeps over 25 years, and the low fuel light comes on frequently at half tank at extreme angles. I have never had one turn off in that situation.

 

[Jerzey Girl]

Not cool Jeep. I concur about the Rotopax I really don’t want to strap them to my spare tire. I kind of like the mounts that bolt to the rear door hinges. They just aren’t as clean of a look as I like. So now we got a spend around 500 bucks to carry 4 gallons of gas.and maybe have to use it. So the cleanest look is the spare tire strap can’t lock it. Just cut the strap yes other vehicles have this problem but I say fix it Jeep

I had 2 Rotopax leak - too hot in Vegas I guess..

 

[Earl 392]

Had the same experience with a steep decline with over 2/3 tank- Dumped in a Roto-pak and the gauge jumped back to 3/4 and it fired up. A little nerve racking the 1st time but now I am prepared. My original post is here on this forum somewhere.

Now that’s news we can use

 

[Earl 392]

I had 2 Rotopax leak - too hot in Vegas I guess..

Some were on this forum someone said they needed to purge their Rotopax as weather conditions and altitude changes. A guy in our club had a 2 gallon on back of his JK it didn’t leak but it sure swelled up. Arizona does get hot ,Vegas as well. Thanks for the info .

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

Hi Earl, try one of these. I purchased one for my Rubicon trip (Amazon link at the bottom) and I was very impressed. I also carried it in the cab and didn’t smell anything… but I was running a soft top, with half-doors, and I didn’t take any uppers on the trail. I’ll definitely be taking it with me on my all day trails from now on!View attachment 40531

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0844R28XX?tag=jeep392-20

I’m confused why this VP Racing can is not for fuel?

 

[prodriquez]

I’m confused why this VP Racing can is not for fuel?

I’m guessing that they have to pay for an EPA certification. Works fine for me and I know plenty of people that use them… but I don’t store fuel in them for more than a few days because I dump gas in the tank as I have room for it.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

I’m guessing that they have to pay for an EPA certification. Works fine for me and I know plenty of people that use them… but I don’t store fuel in them for more than a few days because I dump gas in the tank as I have room for it.

I saw this comment, maybe explains.

 

[zmpm01]

So far I haven't had this happen yet just because I try to stay topped off before going offroad after having 2021 owners report this happening in the very beginning, now I've probably jinxed myself.. I think this is a safety issue and we should start reporting it to the NTSB. Maybe if a enough 392 owners report it, it will get addressed by Jeep. I could see this being a true PITA and Jeep should make this wright! Hell my 1972 CJ5 doesn't stall on steep inclines or declines with a 1/4 of a tank, the 392 shouldn't either! You could hang the CJ5 by a rope and it would run...