PurpleRenix

Sorry for the novel, jeep is 1989 XJ 4x4 4.0l AW4

So I was driving yesterday on some hills and noticed what initially felt like a loss of power. Nothing major it's an older jeep and doesn't usually like hills. After a couple minutes I notice the engine is having to rev to about 3K rpm to keep speed even on level ground and I'm starting to smell oil burning off my exhaust pipe. My first thought is my transmission is toast. I pull over and immediately see several drops coming off the back of engine/front of transmission. I pop the hood and notice the valve cover had been leaking oil so i check how tight the the valve cover bolts are and found several were loose enough to finger tighten so I went around and snugged them all up. I put in a quart of oil and decide to see if I can start it and drive it to the nearest gas station.

Here is where I get really confused. I start it up, and its fine. With it idling I check the transmission fluid and its full, definitely more of brown than red color but doesn't smell burnt or anything. So I take off and it shifts fine and drives fine, everything is normal, I decide to just head home. I get about 10 miles down the road and its starts all over again. I'm having to rev to about 3K rpm to keep speed. I pull over and check everything again nothing seems wrong. I decide to try and start it again and to my amazement it shifts fine, so I just go home like 2 miles away and park it.

So my big question is this transmission toast?

BlueRidgeMark

To answer your question, maybe, maybe not. Sounds like mine was - when it gets warm, it's slip-n-slide time. Can hardly move the Jeep.

Check my sig for my solution. Still driving the rig. I think that was about 40,000 miles ago.

Got a bad leak from my front seal, so I may finally have to rebuild the thing.

PurpleRenix

That's awesome! I will definitely be giving this a try

Oswalla

In addition to previous poster, Your TPS could be suspect, as it sends a signal to your tranny as well. Simple volt meter to test is all thats needed. Fluid should be addressed first.

cruiser54

Nah on the TPS at this point. TV cable adjustment is in order though:

PurpleRenix

Well that looks pretty straight forward, I think I can handle that. Thanks for the video

cruiser54

We imported that video all the way from Alaska....

Do what Mark says also. For sure.

AND, go to my link and do Tips 1 , 3, and 5!!!

PurpleRenix

Alaska you say? I hear you can see Russia from there.

cruiser54

The video was imported to Arizona from Duma Jones in Alaska. He does cool videos.

PurpleRenix

Yeah he's got some good stuff, I like that transmission cooler and temp guage he did. If I don't have to spend all my money on a new trans I might give that a shot.

cruiser54

I'll bet your trans is fine.

Bustedback

Sounds like a clogged catalytic converter to me.

PurpleRenix

Pretty good day today. I drained the transmission through the drain bolt and the stuff of nightmares came out. It was dark and smelled like someone had poured oil on a hot exhaust. Put in a new gallon and let it warm up just idling around the yard and drive up and down the street. Drained the fluid again and this time the stink was gone but I noticed some shiny stuff in it and still pretty dark. Put in another gallon and took it for a drive and I have to say I am impressed! I've only gone about 35 miles but it feels strong.

Radi

Good news!

cruiser54

Do a few more drain and fills as needed. Adjust the tV cable and rock on.