Jeep Stuff

[Duck Vader]

Figured I would make a thread about the red XJ.

Finally got it running yesterday for the first time again in many months. Drove it about 3 miles.

Tires are definitely shot and brakes felt really weak. Had to push really hard to stop. Definitely also needs an alignment bad.

Other than that, felt OK on power and shifted fine, but had the wife follow me in case something went wrong on the drive. Said it was smoking whitish from the exhaust, however at idle there was nothing. You can smell an exhaust leak somewhere though and hear it when driving past things.

After the drive I parked it and let it run for a couple min and you can smell something burning/overheating. It had that smell of an overheating engine, but only on the side with the exhaust, so I am assuming it might just be the leak?

I don't know the engine/coolant temp as the gauge cluster is the stupid one with only dummy lights, fuel gauge, and speedometer. Since it is a 1998 I can swap in another 97-01 gauge cluster with the other features (rpm, coolant temp, etc) and it should just be a "plug and play" type of a thing. Apparently on 96 and older you have to swap out some sensors, but it looks like everything should be good to go on the 97+. Need to either find one at a local pick-n-pull, junk yard, or go on e-bay.

Checked the oil on the dip stick and it looked fine, a little low, but fine in color. There is definitely an oil leak at the back of the valve cover gasket as well. You can see it wet back there. After I moved it back to its "storage spot", where it was while I was letting it idle was a small 4-5" spot of oil on the ground. Will drain the oil once I can get it into the garage after I get rid of the rack and treadmill and get a better look at it.

Forgot to check the transmission fluid.

Checked the coolant after it cooled down and it was a little milky. Not really bad, but definitely not the clear stuff I put in a couple years ago when I put in the new radiator or when I last checked it last year.

The interior needed to be cleaned bad. Apparently some moisture got it recently as I found mold on the seat covers, floor mats, passenger side door frame on the bottom, and around the floor in the passenger side. Use some diluted bleach and some mold/mildew remover, but might need to tear the carpet out and replace that depending on how it looks next time I check it and remove some interior panels and check behind them.

So my next steps are swap out the gauge cluster, get new tires, alignment, valve cover gasket, check for other oil leaks, and maybe check on the head gasket to see if I see any leaks.

Anything else you recommend?

Also, still debating on just scrapping the engine and getting a chevy 350 and transmission and swapping it in.

[Duck Vader]

Looks like the local pick-n-pulls only have 1 jeep that fits the years. Might have to go check it out next week if I have time.

But not sure how their pricing works on that. Might be cheaper to get one off e-bay.

[Chris GTO TT]

Pick-n-pull is almost always cheaper than eBay, but the challenge is finding what you need

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]Figured I would make a thread about the red XJ.

Finally got it running yesterday for the first time again in many months. Drove it about 3 miles.

Tires are definitely shot and brakes felt really weak. Had to push really hard to stop. Definitely also needs an alignment bad.

Other than that, felt OK on power and shifted fine, but had the wife follow me in case something went wrong on the drive. Said it was smoking whitish from the exhaust, however at idle there was nothing. You can smell an exhaust leak somewhere though and hear it when driving past things.

After the drive I parked it and let it run for a couple min and you can smell something burning/overheating. It had that smell of an overheating engine, but only on the side with the exhaust, so I am assuming it might just be the leak?

I don't know the engine/coolant temp as the gauge cluster is the stupid one with only dummy lights, fuel gauge, and speedometer. Since it is a 1998 I can swap in another 97-01 gauge cluster with the other features (rpm, coolant temp, etc) and it should just be a "plug and play" type of a thing. Apparently on 96 and older you have to swap out some sensors, but it looks like everything should be good to go on the 97+. Need to either find one at a local pick-n-pull, junk yard, or go on e-bay.

Checked the oil on the dip stick and it looked fine, a little low, but fine in color. There is definitely an oil leak at the back of the valve cover gasket as well. You can see it wet back there. After I moved it back to its "storage spot", where it was while I was letting it idle was a small 4-5" spot of oil on the ground. Will drain the oil once I can get it into the garage after I get rid of the rack and treadmill and get a better look at it.

Forgot to check the transmission fluid.

Checked the coolant after it cooled down and it was a little milky. Not really bad, but definitely not the clear stuff I put in a couple years ago when I put in the new radiator or when I last checked it last year.

The interior needed to be cleaned bad. Apparently some moisture got it recently as I found mold on the seat covers, floor mats, passenger side door frame on the bottom, and around the floor in the passenger side. Use some diluted bleach and some mold/mildew remover, but might need to tear the carpet out and replace that depending on how it looks next time I check it and remove some interior panels and check behind them.

So my next steps are swap out the gauge cluster, get new tires, alignment, valve cover gasket, check for other oil leaks, and maybe check on the head gasket to see if I see any leaks.

Anything else you recommend?

Also, still debating on just scrapping the engine and getting a chevy 350 and transmission and swapping it in.[/quote]

Glad to see her coming back out of storage. I dont drive mine much anymore either, not that I wouldn't like to. I have a company vehicle, so the need isnt there.

First off the brakes arent remarkable on Cherokees. I bought slotted rotors and an aggressive pad. Only now are they worthwhile with 31" tires. Might look into that.

Exhaust leaks are normal on them. Your manifold/header is likely cracked mid way down. Its all too common of an issue. Hell, mine is still cracked at the moment. I bought Banks unit a while back and just need to install it. Fix the crack and you should be good.

Before pulling the motor apart find out where that leak is coming from. You would be amazed what a bad valve cover gasket can leak, or what the oil filter o-ring at the block could leak. Also whats with the your milky coolant. Is it brown and oily? Also, the coolant temp sensors are known to go bad and throw off your ecu from turning on the AC fan to cool off. Mine did. I replaced my whole cooling system trying to find the culprit of my overheating in the summer. Buy a new OEM sensor and you should be good for 100k miles.

Yea cluster should be easy enough. Not sure how you will get the right odometer reading though as its digital. Oh well.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Glad to see her coming back out of storage. I dont drive mine much anymore either, not that I wouldn't like to. I have a company vehicle, so the need isnt there.

First off the brakes arent remarkable on Cherokees. I bought slotted rotors and an aggressive pad. Only now are they worthwhile with 31" tires. Might look into that.

Exhaust leaks are normal on them. Your manifold/header is likely cracked mid way down. Its all too common of an issue. Hell, mine is still cracked at the moment. I bought Banks unit a while back and just need to install it. Fix the crack and you should be good.

Before pulling the motor apart find out where that leak is coming from. You would be amazed what a bad valve cover gasket can leak, or what the oil filter o-ring at the block could leak. Also whats with the your milky coolant. Is it brown and oily? Also, the coolant temp sensors are known to go bad and throw off your ecu from turning on the AC fan to cool off. Mine did. I replaced my whole cooling system trying to find the culprit of my overheating in the summer. Buy a new OEM sensor and you should be good for 100k miles.

Yea cluster should be easy enough. Not sure how you will get the right odometer reading though as its digital. Oh well.[/quote]

I think in the last 2 years we have put maybe 10 miles on the jeep? If that.

I am running 31" tires with a 3.5" lift so I know brakes are going to be rough, but it was scary rough. Almost no feel to them. When I finally start working on it I will be checking the pads and drums and everything to see how they are.

I know all about the exhaust stuff. Had another 98 XJ that cracked a head and burnt out the cat. Replaced that. On the LJ I had a burnt out cat, but luckily that had the newer split manifold so cracks were less prone. Replaced all that. This XJ has a newer cat-back dynomax system. Don't think I put in a new manifold though. It is a PAIN IN THE ASS to remove, but I can and get a good look at it when I do everything else.

I know for sure the valve cover is leaking. You can see the back half of the engine is wet/oily and coming from the gasket. There is a for sure leak at that. Problem is the engine is so covered in gunk I can't see much else. Going to do a deep clean with that simple green engine degreaser stuff.

The coolant is actually the green stuff, not the factory orange, since I replaced it all when I did the rad job. I can replace the sensor just to be safe. It is a milky green - not brown/oily - just cloudy/milky. I can get a pic of it later.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Pick-n-pull is almost always cheaper than eBay, but the challenge is finding what you need[/quote]

Looks like there is only 1 jeep that might have the one I need, but finding the time to get over there is going to be a pain. It is on the other side of town.

[Duck Vader]

If the pricing I found it right, looks to be about $10-20 cheaper at pick-n-pull. If I can find one.

[Duck Vader]

This is the one I need - https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-2002-Jeep ... SwoHJbM7JS

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]I think in the last 2 years we have put maybe 10 miles on the jeep? If that.

I am running 31" tires with a 3.5" lift so I know brakes are going to be rough, but it was scary rough. Almost no feel to them. When I finally start working on it I will be checking the pads and drums and everything to see how they are.

I know all about the exhaust stuff. Had another 98 XJ that cracked a head and burnt out the cat. Replaced that. On the LJ I had a burnt out cat, but luckily that had the newer split manifold so cracks were less prone. Replaced all that. This XJ has a newer cat-back dynomax system. Don't think I put in a new manifold though. It is a PAIN IN THE ASS to remove, but I can and get a good look at it when I do everything else.

I know for sure the valve cover is leaking. You can see the back half of the engine is wet/oily and coming from the gasket. There is a for sure leak at that. Problem is the engine is so covered in gunk I can't see much else. Going to do a deep clean with that simple green engine degreaser stuff.

The coolant is actually the green stuff, not the factory orange, since I replaced it all when I did the rad job. I can replace the sensor just to be safe. It is a milky green - not brown/oily - just cloudy/milky. I can get a pic of it later.[/quote]

Ok, we are running about the same height lift and same tire size. Last person had ceramics on and it was a nightmare to stop. Get new front pads and bleed your system.

I know the exhaust is a PITA to remove. How do you think i got my Banks unit? I pulled it from the yard. I was waiting until I found an 00-01 intake before I attempted to pull everything and reinstall. Got the intake about a year ago now.

Just take your Jeep to a car wash with a pressure washer and go to town with it. Go get a new valve cover gasket while you are at it. Super easy to replace those.

Coolant shouldn't be milky at all.

[vr4]

http://www.picknpull.com/part_pricing.aspx


The brakes... If pedal pressure felt good just not slowing down it may have just been rust on the rotors. In my experience it usually takes 3-5 miles to clear it up when bad.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""vr4""]http://www.picknpull.com/part_pricing.aspx


The brakes... If pedal pressure felt good just not slowing down it may have just been rust on the rotors. In my experience it usually takes 3-5 miles to clear it up when bad.[/quote]

That is how I found the price. Looks like $38.99 at pick n pull - seen them as low as 49.99 on e-bay

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]

Go get a new valve cover gasket while you are at it. Super easy to replace those.

Coolant shouldn't be milky at all.[/quote]

Replaced one on the LJ, so I know how to do it. Yes super easy.

As for the coolant, that is why I want to take a look at the head gasket.

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Duck Vader""]Replaced one on the LJ, so I know how to do it. Yes super easy.

As for the coolant, that is why I want to take a look at the head gasket.[/quote]

Would be a great time to upgrade your intake and exhaust manifold while you are at it, as well as install new valve cover, coolant sensor, etc.

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Would be a great time to upgrade your intake and exhaust manifold while you are at it, as well as install new valve cover, coolant sensor, etc.[/quote]

I will take a look at it. Might just be a loose connection or something. Hate to spend the money on it and it not need it right now.

[ChargerX3]

Or weld it up. Wont be as much.

[Duck Vader]

Just some random pics of the Jeep over the years:

Day we bought it - in 2007:



After the lift installed:



After painting the fender flares:



That is pretty much how it sits right now.

Interior we haven't done much over the years. Swapped out the stock front seats for leather ones out of a Grand Cherokee. That is about it.

Has an aftermarket radio but we have it disconnected. A/C doesn't work anymore.

If we keep it the next mods will probably be tint the windows, roof rack, and bumpers.

[ChargerX3]

Got lsd or lockers yet?

[Duck Vader]

[quote=""ChargerX3""]Got lsd or lockers yet?[/quote]

No. Has the 8.25 in the rear. Not too sure what to do with it yet. There is a clunk coming from the area, especially when you rock the body back and forth or jack up the rear end and push/pull hard on the passenger rear wheel/tire, that seems like the axle shaft might be a bit loose. Think the c-clip might be on it's way out. Will probably upgrade the axle shafts while I am at it if that is the issue. If not I am not sure what I will do eventually with it. It doesn't see anything more than the occasional dirt road either for the most part. No need to lock it or really upgrade it.

After I get the engine sorted out and running smoothly I might just send it over to Jeep West. They are the ones who did the gears in the LJ for me and helped me sort out the lift and everything on the LJ when I did that a few years ago. They can also do a good once over on everything and see if there is anything else on its way out. I trust them.

[Duck Vader]

Been a while, but I think this is the lift I have on it - only 3"

http://zoneoffroad.com/zone-offroad-pro ... ee/j21-j22

[Duck Vader]

Hoping the clunk is a suspension problem, and not an axle problem, but knowing my luck, it is an axle problem.