http://www.flickr.com/photos/71062585@N00/5901343788/

I recently purchased a 2000 Cherokee Sport with 147,000 miles on it. The Jeep has a rough idle. While sitting at a stop light it sounds like it could stall but never does. The owner said it had been doing that for quite sometime. As soon as I purchased it I took it to my local mechanic. He did some work that needed to be done (muffler, cat converter, oil change etc), he looked the Jeep over and believes there is an exhaust leak from the head gasket. He said it could possibly be a leak from the exhaust manifold.

Should I know exactly where the leak is coming from before I have it worked on? Also, what happens when there is an exhaust leak... am I losing power and MPG?


Any ideas on either of these things?? This is my first Jeep, your advice would be a big help.

Tell me if there is anything that sounds odd or bad going on with my engine.

Thanks!

 

Easy way to find a leak. Get another person with a old towel. Have them put a tight seal around the tail pipe, so no exhaust comes out. If there is a leak you will be able to find it easier. If it cuts off then there is no leak.

Sounds like you have some valvetrain noise and a slight knock. What oil are you using?

p.s. exhaust manifold is under the intake manifold. noticed in the video you kept going to the passenger side of the motor when the exhaust is on the otherside.

 

I did not hear any unusual noises, but a compression / leakdown test will reveal any problems. Kind of unrelated but, when is the last time the coolant was changed? Your video shows some type of brown substance in the overflow tank, it should be green.

 

I have no idea when the coolant was last changed. I should probably look into that.

 

On that note then you should buy coolant, bottle of hyperlube super coolant or water wetter and a bottle of prestone coolant flush. when you do the flush make sure the heat is on full blast. yes the heat.

 

I used valvoline oil

 

"p.s. exhaust manifold is under the intake manifold. noticed in the video you kept going to the passenger side of the motor when the exhaust is on the otherside."


Thanks, I have no clue when it comes to vehicles.