Got this knock going on, especially after getting up to temp. it comes from the more front of the jeep rather than back and is a distinctive knock following the rev.

Sounds familiar?

 

Sounds like some piston slap. You might have a broken piston skirt. Pull the oil pan and check for chunks. Could also be a rod bearing.

 

Cracked piston is common. Compression test will help rule out things. You can drain the oil and put a bent piece of wire in there and feel for piston chunks that you may have on your pan bottom. Once you hear the sound of a broken piston piece in your pan you always remember what it sounds like.

 

Bro, you are really up against it with that jeep. Seems like you have a lot going wrong with it.

Keep your head up! Its times like this that make people quit. I would be forming a course of action plan to follow.

Definitely compression test 1st though. See what you got.

 

just to add....an endoscope looking into the oil pan from the drain hole will help you see chunks and stuff if there is any. Depending on your patience level, you could check the bottoms of the pistons....might have to bump the started to see them all.

also I wouldn't rule out pulling the valve cover and checking for a stuck lifter or bent push rod or a stuck valve.

also, a mechanics stethoscope is really handy in finding exactly where the knock is coming from.

hope this helps

 

Oh my lord.
I was hoping you would say the torque converter bolts are loose wich I think I can handle.

This was probably the worst blow so far.
The interior is immaculate on this jeep and it looks great. That’s why I bought it. Have always wanted one, pre facelift boxy looking little thing. I know nothing about cars and have learnt along the way, one problem at a time. One part of me wants to prove even more it’s possible, and one part wants to just forget about this whole thing and move on in life.

I think I’ve had 30 mins of driving in total since November when I bought it. I was so happy managing to swap out the abs and stuff. Damn.

 

It COULD BE the torque converter bolts... maybe.. you can pull the bottom access panel off to check them. Checking is the only way to know.

Don't give in yet! When I bought my XJ, it was the best condition I could find in my budget. I spent over 2 months working on it before I ever drove it at all. It was winched onto a trailer when purchased and pushed off trailer into a garage when I got home. Had to completely remove both axles, transmission and transfer case, fuel tank, 100% brake system, etc.. A very long list of stuff!

And now that I'm driving it, it was worth every second, every penny, and every busted knuckle. I know EXACTLY what I have. And when I go down the road, I have that sense of pride knowing I did it, I saw it through to the end (there is no end lol) and that feeling coupled with the fact my jeep is Forest Green Pearl (my favorite) is priceless. Keep on working on it. Once you've got through the major things you can take your time on the small stuff. In the end, you'll have a vehicle that will take you anywhere you want to go, for as long as you want to keep it.

 

thanks for the encouragement! It’s just that you need to have a bit of flow to be able to keep the energy level up. You know what I mean! Right now it’s taking all my time, all my brain capacity and way too much money. then I get in from the garage too late and I’m pissed. And I feel stressed and frustrated that I don’t have the time to fix it all at once. I don’t know..

and now this post turned in to a therapy session!

I’ll make one last push with this looking for the torque converter bolts and then sleep on it before I put an ad out too fast.

I’ve been trying to find info on how to reach the torque converter bolts, but most is just flexplate bolts. I’ve checked those ok. How do I reach the torque converter bolts?

rock on

 

On the lower portion of the bell housing should be a plate covering the lower half. It just bolts on. From memory, you have to remove the starter as well.. and it takes some wiggling to actually get the plate off.

When you get the plate off, you'll be looking at your flexplate and you should see at least 1 of the 4 bolts that connect the torque converter to the flexplate. You'll have to rotate it to get to all 4 of them. If you're going to the trouble to check them, I would remove them 1 at a time, blue thread locker and put them back. Look up the torque spec though, you don't want them to be too tight or loose.

As mentioned in a earlier post, if you are going to keep the jeep, invest in a mechanics stethoscope (they're cheap). They really can help to locate odd noises.

 

Jeep XJ's love to hide what is wrong with them. That is why when you have an issue, don't open your wallet and blast the parts cannon. Diagnostic discipline will be your friend and save you time and money. The new AI search feature that are in browsers or actual programs are a true help... I search there often looking for answers and directions for Diagnostic procedures. BTW, the Factory Service Manual also includes diagnostic procedures.
Obtaining a 30 year old vehicle come with both enjoyment and frustration. Slow down to speed up. Isolate where the sound is coming from....does it affect engine performance....does it make the sound under load or just revving the motor. Sometimes it is as simple as the harmonic balance pulley wobbles when the crankshaft is warm and lets the rubber gasket slip...

we all have been there.....ask here and you will get advice.

 

Sadly for you...the flexplate bolts are the torque converter bolts. Thats where the flexplate bolts to the torque converter.

 

Aha that explains why it was hard to find info

ok then I am up for a compression test next. Watched a few videos of people tearing apart the motor to change a piston out etc. That is where I have to draw a line sadly. I think.

 

Hey, it could be worse
. I was going to replace the rockers and saw this tiny bit of rust peeking out from the fender flare. I'd rather replace a piston.

 

hahaha yes that is true. Good from far, far from good. You have not seen the holes in my floors yet though. I think I won’t get into that whole mess.

So what’s your plan with this? A touch of paint?

 

Someone

said holes in floor pan?