I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 276ish. I love it. It has a problem that is getting worse....a knock.

I have used a piece of metal and found it is in the trans area so I am hoping it is a flex plate issue. My question is that I can drive for 20-25 minutes and the oil pressure is fine...after that, the gauge lowers and drops after it hits 10 psi. It usually is higher under idle. Would a flex plate issue cause this?

Larry

 

Check the flexplate bolts. Here's how:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...ocking-125547/

 

Flex plate might be the noise, but it won't affect your oil pressure at all. After that much use though the oil pressure sending unit is probably shot so I wouldn't trust it. You can verify oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.

It's entirely possible your bearings are starting to wear down though, causing low pressure. After 276k I wouldn't be surprised.

 

YOu could have 2 problems.

Loose flexplate bolts or cracked flex plate.

Bad oil pressure sender.

You can rent a mechanical oil pressure testing gauge from many parts stores.

as for the flexplate stuff, only one way to find out.