definitely get that cat looked at / replaced, otherwise you can end up blowing out valve stem seals and losing compression

 

You're sure about that, huh?

 

I am guessing that is not a true fact? =)

New cat is in the works. Its unfortunate that pick n pull cuts them all out to sell for their platinum.

Havent worked on it much its been too hot. Just wanted to share a couple of pictures!





This is the end that mounted onto the dipstick tube stud. It was way worse than i thought it was. Theres splits and cracks along the whole thing. Ironicly the oil was preventing corrosion on the termination lol.











After cleanup and noalox.





Camera didnt focus well for this but the positive lead has almost rubbed through and it would have made direct contact with the negative lead very soon. I still need to replace the positive lead but wow! This was a way bigger issue than i thought.

 

I had been told that by several mechanics in the past and took them at their word. I know that leaking valve stem seals can also leak oil into the exhaust, which can eventually fry the cat, but that is the reverse condition. I'm not a machinist at a cylinder head shop nor a mechanic, so I'm going on what I was told

 

They gave you some inaccurate info.

 

Jeep is running great. The idle is nearly perfect now. Its pretty gutless acceleration wise until it warms up. Turned the ac on out of curiosity. My voltage still drops low, creeps up, drops down, creeps up. No cool air from it but it didnt stall out like it had in the past. Still waiting for the temps to drop a bit. I got real dizzy trying to work on it in 100 degree heat so not repeating that.

I cannot believe that one ground wire caused all those issues ive been dealing with this entire time. I know you told me to clean that dipstick stud several times and i had no idea where or what it was cruiser.

 

Ya won't forget that lesson any time soon, will ya?

I'm just that crazy old bastard who keeps touting ground refreshing and cleaning....Once in a while I get one right I guess...

You sure stuck with it!! Congratulations.

 

Course i did! You remember my oil sludge fiasco. Ive got way too much time and blood invested into this jeep to give up. And with a team like you, ccken, and all the others behind me ive made it real far. Hell give me another year and ill be the one telling people to clean their dipstick ground stud and cleaning out their plugs.

Ah one quick question though. Im a car audio guy. My stereo went in before i ever had it running lol. However my head unit is getting very warm. Sometimes enough that it kicks the thermal protect on. I remember you mentioned the entire dash is grounded with a wire that is too small. I am thinking im going to remove the 2 ground wires for the stereo and run a dedicated 12 gauge ground to the body somewhere nearby. But do you think that undersized dash ground wire could be causing this overheating issue with the head unit?

 

Post 18.............of my Tips. Photo included.

FWIW, If someone wants to provide a better dipstick stud photo, that would be great. Even a quick video.....

 

Please do...I need to steal it.

Edit: Of course I have a pic of my '99 stud but I need a pic of a stud on a covered wagon '89.

 

That stud on the covered wagon would be me headed to Arizona years ago.

 

Heads up and incoming cruiser!





























I took several of the dipstick tube stud. Hope a few turned out ok.

 

Sorry looks like some random ones got thrown in there.

 

I saved the first one. Thanks.

 

I like the cobweb one. You really need to drive your Jeep more.......