kjdad

My 97 Cherokee has a good amount of piston slap at idle when cold. It rattles at idle until up to temp, then is only slightly. Engine has 207K on it. Runs good and oil pressures are fine. I know it's not fixable and needs to be rebuilt, but is there anything I can do to extend it's life? I tried a few different oils and currently running Rotella 15-40. Going to change that out once the weather cools. Any recommendations to keep this sucker kicking till next summer? I plan on wheeling a few times this year and a few long road trips.

This is a crappy vid..but you get the idea.

https://youtu.be/UXsBU9rJQgI

Thanks..

4WD4EVER

Got AAA? I think all you can do is keep your oil/filter changes on schedule and find a new motor until then.

s346k

that doesn't sound like piston slap. mine makes a similar noise, but it is top end related and is only heard at idle when it's up to temp.

jld66

my 97 has a tap to it when it is cold. gets up to temp, it stops. been doing it for years, most do. it dont loose any oil between changes. run 10-40 in summer, 5-30 in the winter. if it does not stop when it get warm, then worry a bit.

4WD4EVER

No, it doesn't, it sounds like rod knock, but the OP seems determined to blow it either way.

kjdad

Don't think rod knock would go away when up to temp. Plus rod knock would increase off idle. There is no noise off idle..well maybe very little.

4WD4EVER

Understood. It just sounds like rod knock to me in the vid.

kjdad

Yeah..vid makes it sounds a little worse. It's a faint noise when driving. But trust me...when I first heard it I wanted to pull the pan...

Bustedback

Check the flex plate bolts for ***** and giggles. That might take care of the noise.

freegdr

x2 dont jump to worst possible fix untill all easy fixes are eliminaled. Ive heard idler pullies and the such make similar noises. Removing serp belt and starting engine will tell if its any thing external.

4WD4EVER

I agree w/ you and Busted that it can't hurt to check, but if that's what I hear in the vid, it's the worst/strangest sounding loose/broken flexplate I've ever heard. Maybe because it looks like the OP has the vehicle in an enclosed area.
Hopefully he'll check and keep us posted on the outcome.

jld66

mine 97 is the 2.5. guy at work has a 98 with the 4.0. both of ours have the same tick till warmed up a bit. i don't think it is anything he has to be worried about. like i said, been doing it for years. either 80 degrees or 20 below zero out, it does it.

Turbo X_J

No one can realistically answer this, when it pops you'll be the first to know.