Jeep Repair: engine cooling problem, temp gauge, grand cherokee

Question
Hey Nathan,
Last night I was driving home on an Interstate in my 04 Grand Cherokee when I noticed that my engine temperature started going off the charts.  I pulled over and turned my engine off right before the extreme temperature light came on.  When I opened the hood I saw that a line that goes into the radiator was off and I was missing a engine oil cap I don't know if one was the cause of the other.  I put the line back into the radiator, there was still a little antifreeze left I drove it home, making sure the temperature did not go up too high, and checked the antifreeze level again it was all gone.  What do you think could be the problem? And what would be the best way to go around it?

Answer
First I would fill the radiator up, run it up to operating temperature, let it cool and check your antifreeze again.  After making sure the cooling system is full, I would look for leaks and test drive, watching the temp gauge.  I don't think the oil cap would have anything to do with the overheating, probably left off during an oil change, I done that before!  Jeeps are bad for thermostats, if the overheating persists change the thermostat.  Hope I could help!