Or go in with a borescope, which is MUCH less work!

"Work smarter, not harder."

 

....I caught it good there, normally I don't even notice it. 276K and the oil light hasnt even blinked that I've noticed. (don't tell anyone, but I run straight Wt Castrol 30W)

Guess it was last century, maybe 99 I was working on it for the PO and heard that. I had a buddy come by who was a seasoned wrench. We agreed at the time it sounded like a rod bearing. So much for that! At least once I thought it sounded louder after it's annual oil change, (always in February)(when I have the time and Prop. taxes are paid). It hasn't changed much. If it's a lifter maybe the fresh detergent in the oil (HD means "high detergent"), frees something up a little more....

 

Well, just to put a cap on this thread and offer the ending. 30k miles later the 4.0 took a crap and the tick suddenly turned into a loud knock and lost power. To all the doom Sayers, no the piston didn't seize and kick a rod, and I still have a good core. I knew it was coming so I was saving for it and was quoted at a jeep dealership for 2700 for a Remanufactured engine and labor. So all is well and my "jeep guy" was exactly right, "drive it till it quits". So to anyone else out there with similar symptoms, this was my experience. Also the previous owner (my buddy) bought the jeep with 40k miles and said when he got it, it had always ticked. So that's that. No rod through the block and good core, jeeps at the dealership getting new engine and I'm back on the road with the piece of mind of another 250k with regular oil changes expecting no problems out of the motor.

 

Thanks for closing the loop. Hopefully your "new" engine doesn't have a 0331 head. That might put a damper on the 250K goal. If it does, just don't let it overheat, ever and keep a lose eye on the coolant level. Nothing to worry for quite a while but still good to know. Enjoy the resurrected jeep.

 

Yeah, I have heard that, and I'm left to believe that since it's going to be through Chrysler that it will have the oem head. Unless they have had a recall I guess. What exactly is the 0331 prone to, cracking?

 

Yes, often right in the middle under the oil filler. The "0331" might be facing up on the drivers side of the head. I gather there is a foundry mark, "TUPY" that you can see somewhere down under the oil filler cap designating a redesigned 0331 head casting.

 

You started this thread less than 6 months ago and you've put 30,000 miles on it?! Wow.

The truth is, you could have replaced the offending piston back in November for a couple hundred bucks and saved yourself the inconvenience of a $2700 engine swap so I'm not sure how this is being portrayed as a victory over the doom and gloomers. I mean short of going Atmos and burning to the ground, how could this have turned out any worse?

 

I would have to agree. I bought my XJ from my son and it had a broken piston shirt, or kilt, depending on your view. Complete rebuild kit was less than $450. So far, so good. Just over 100 miles so far. Still checking/repairing other problems before putting it to the real test.....RR

 

With 250k there is no reason to pay labor and tear into a engine to do one piston. 450 plus at least 500 for labor. Do you realize you can buy a reman for 1800? And if I was a master mechanic, like all you ****** think you are, and had all the resources to do one piston, then maybe, just maybe. Me I would rather pay 27 hundos and cry one time instead of... You know replace one fing piston every six months but whatever. You have your jeep I have mine.. Well, you might have a jeep, I doubt half of the members on this pathetic excuse for a information database "forum" even own a jeep. To me is a ***** measuring contest on who is right. I'm sick of it.

And as to your smart *** comment about how many miles I have drove in six months, it is what it is, I drive a good bit. And I don't think I have broke any records. Thanks for your excitement though.

This whole thread was simply a question, who has dealt with this. And also to give my experience. This was it and during it I have found from my experience this forum is fing retard and useless.



As to the few that did shed light, thank you. If I even continue to wade through this sewage of diluted, misleading crap some people call information, it will be for the select few still decent people who would like to help instead of the million captain hindsights.

 

I feel dirty now.....

 

Sorry, nothing short of the truth. It's just been building up since I joined the forum, every other post is just some dick head behind a computer screen.

 

Everybody has an opinion! I listen to them all and figure out a plan THAT WORKS FOR ME and go with it! FTW! Tons of good info on this site!

 

The past participle of drive is driven, not drove. Just trying to make up for my previous apparent unhelpfulness.

And you think your attitude is helping to improve this? I checked your history, it turns out you've never helped anyone. You just leech information and insult people. You've started 16 threads and every single post you've made on this site is in response to a thread you started. Ask me how many times I and many others on this site have offered their expertise to others seeking help. Go ahead, sunshine, ask.

This site and this thread are a history to every XJ owner who may stumble across it and your opinion is not the only one that matters. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine, if you don't like that I will give exactly zero $#!tz.

95% of the people on this site work on their own Jeep (imaginary or not) so while time is considered for a repair, the cost of labor isn't. As far as replacing a piston... the piston will set you back about $50 and the head and oil pan gaskets will be another $20, each for a total of $90 and a Saturday. I'm not sure where you came up with that $450 figure but it's inaccurate. I get that you don't have the expertise to do this yourself and it's my mistake for assuming you did, still not an excuse to call me (or anyone) a ***** or a dick head and then complain about people hiding behind a computer screen. Good luck with your engine swap.