Hey guys, first time jeep owner here. Just picked up an 00 xj with 83k..and in pretty damn good shape I might add!

I've got an issue (yes, I've searched and found answers) where my pressure builds to ~40 when cruising however when I let off the pedal it'll go down to ~20/25

I've read into it and at first I figured it might be the oil sender/gauge however the more I read into it, I keep seeing that this is actually normal? If so, can anyone explain why the pressure dropping (when letting off the pedal) is normal?

It never reaches 0 or below 20 for that matter, figured I'd mention that.

Also, as a side note- there is a decent amount of seepage, I believe it's coming from the VC but could be the head (yet to determine) and I believe if the head were leaking it could cause my oil issues?

I've driven it for 100 miles thusfar and the oil level has not budged.

Thanks for your time!

 

Normal. Nothing at all to worry about. Reason: the oil pump is driven by the engine, the faster the engine spins the faster the oil pump turns- and the faster it turns the more pressure it builds. The oil pump is turning slowest at idle thus the pressure is also lowest.
Most newer cars buffer the gauge readings so heavily they never move. What you are seeing is actually what's normal on a running engine, gauges that never move are not.

 

It's perfect. Keep it that way by insisting on quality oil filters at each change. Wix, Napa Gold or Mopar.

 

As for your second note, leaking valve cover gasket is very common. Replacement is straightforward when you use a Fel-Pro silicone gasket. They seem to be either black (mine) or blue (everyone else) and have a piece of steel inside.

Grats on the XJ!

 

Radi
Cruiser54
Salad

Thank you guys so much! That's really good to hear! And it significantly decreases my repair short list.

 

Just watch that Coolant level. If it slowly starts dropping, have a oil analysis performed to see if coolant is in the oil .I would start saving now, or buy and build a ClearWater or Alabama 0331 equivalant cylinder head for when that original 0331 head does Crack. If it dosent get overheated, this could be after 200,000 miles. But 2000 and 2001 4.0s shed ALOT of Iron into the coolant, ie RUST. This in turn cloggs the radiatior, which makes the engine run warmer than should be, and then CRACK. Other than that, 2000 is a Awesome Year. Ive got a 2000 Desert Sand colored(call Her Goldie) 4x4 Cherokee with 213,??? miles that was formerly a Forest Service XJ, has All the skid plates, but also ABS, boo, but also has Roof racks and manual windows and locks!, but no tach or guages, just Idiot Lights,BOOO.