My 1990 has the negative battery terminal bolted to the passenger side of the engine on the firewall side of the dipstick. Is this not where it was originally connected from the factory? If not, where was it originally connected?

@cruiser54 Tip#1 makes me think that there are separate ground connections for the negative terminal and the TCU, ICM, etc, but perhaps I am misreading the writeup?

 

Normal.

There are a few shared grounds there also for the items you mentioned.
Is this pic of your Jeep? Is that an orange oil filter?

 

yep that’s my girl. But it’s not orange - it’s red. I opted for the Purolator “Clown Nose” filter; it’s got real bits of clown in it!

 

Just making sure on the filter. Best use for clowns I've ever heard of.

Those grounds look awful.

Is it just the photo or does the engine appear reddish in color?

 

hmmm… I just reviewed a video from an email that I sent you after cleaning the ground. It does appear to have a brownish color to it. The ground was removed and both the ring connector and block were scraped with a wire brush and sprayed with deoxit. I did not have oxgard at the time but I do now and will be applying it today. I’m trying very hard not to get out of bed and do it now but the “get wrenching” urge is pulling me. It could very well be that the area around the ground is not clean but I assure you that the bolt and area where the ring mates to the block were scrubbed with a wire brush.

Dammit. I went to bed 3 1/2 hours ago and I may still be slightly drunk but I think I’m going to go do some more scrubbing. Why, god, why!

I’ll update with a picture afterwards.

 

You might check the valve cover bolts.
Or just replace the gasket with a Felpro and shorten the internal flutes per one of my Tips.

 

That was actually mentioned in the pre-purchase inspection. How difficult is it to change the valve cover gasket? I would imagine it involves:
1) remove any wires, cables, hoses, etc attached to valve cover
2) remove bolts and valve cover
3) remove old gasket
4) install new gasket
5) reinstall valve cover and tighten bolts to spec
6) reinstall wires, cables, hoses, etc
7) realize you forgot something in step 6
8) reattach whatever you realized in step 7


the “CEL not coming on” is interesting considering there is no CEL

 

They're not aware of the lack of CEL most likely. Don't hold their feet to the fire over that.
I can't vouch for your mechanical skills, but it's not a big deal. Good time to cut the flutes while it's off.

 

I read your tip on the website. What does cutting the flutes achieve?

 

Stops or reduces the CCV system from sucking oil into the air filter.

 

Is it safe to say that a visual inspection of the air filter will let me know if I have this issue?

 

I would do it when I had the valve cover off and replace the orifice/tube/grommet at the rear of the valve cover also.

 

Damn you @cruiser54! I went to bed drunk at 4am, woke up at 7:15am, and now I’m getting ready to scrub my engine bay. What the heck is wrong with me?

 

What I like on the"inspection" is oil pressure gauge not working.

 

Well, it wasn’t. Then I turned on the heat and it started working. I dunno. I replaced the sending unit yesterday. Seems to be a bit higher than what it should. At idle it’s usually around 55-60. Is that a problem? I know my cat is bad so maybe that’s got something to do with it?