2000 Cherokee Sport, 125k, silver, auto, appears to started having problems with oil pressure. may need major engine repair/replace. Still runs strong, oil pressure 50psi at cold start, after running a while only 10psi at idle. I put in some oil stabilizer and oil pressure doesn't drop below 10psi, even after driving for 75-80 miles. Trans shifts great, 4 wheel drive works great. the body and interior are in great condition, clean carfax, no accidents. body and interior look more like a 60k cherokee.

recent maintenance

all new rear brakes (drums, shoes, pistons)
new crank sensor
new radiator hoses
new steering stabilizer unit
drain and refill transfer case, trans fluid, antifreeze
new valve cover gasket
and probably a couple more things

could make a great project for someone, and it still drives fine so doesn't have to be worked on right now.

 

just to be more clear, it's my jeep and i am thinking about selling it, as it may be better in the hands of someone more mechanically inclined, or someone that has access to an engine they know is a good one.

thanks guys

 

I would suggest maybe using some seafoam and some engine restore and possible some MMO..
As far as using seafoam in your crankcase, I do not recommend running it for any longer than a few hundred miles without oil change. So, maybe run some seafoam thru the intake via brake booster, pour the rest in the crankcase with some MMO. Then when you do a fluid change, run some engine restore.

Side note, have you run a mechanical oil gauge to see if that is really what the pressure is? AS for that, could be something as simple as the sending unit or the oil pump.

 

oil pressure sending units go bad all the time giving false readings, super simple to replace. or pay a shop 75 bux to give you some readings from a manual pressure gauge.

 

Oil pressure doesn't sound right to me. I'd change the sending unit out if I were you. HTH!!

 

I could be wrong but i believe the gauge to be right. I had a mechanic look at it, i believe he tested the pressure with some sort of gauge. He told me is was low vs. the specs from the manufacturer. i don't have the receipt in front of me with the numbers on it unfortunately. he said to try a heavier oil. i changed the oil to a 10w 40 with some oil stabilizer and it definitely helped. it still seems a little low but won't drop to zero at a stop light when the vehicle is up to full operating temp. it maintains 28-30 psi at 70mph even after being driven for 75 miles. i was just thinking it might be a better project for someone else if it is going to need engine work at some point.

thanks guys

 

where are you located? I may know someone who is interested.

 

the vehicle is located in the suburbs just west of philadelphia

 

thats a really nice cherokee. run er' till she blows. then worry.
if i was in the market it would still be worth 3500-4000 to me

 

"run her till she blows" was my initial plan. if's there's no interest in it that's what i'll end up doing. How much labor is involved if i have to replace the engine in it? anyone have any idea?

 

Depends on your mechanical prowess. A engine replacement to some is pretty straight forward, where to others, it can be quite a challenge. It's not that hard, assuming you have access to all of the tools that you'd need to do it.