Hi everyone. New to the forums and Im having a couple small problems with my 92 Cherokee 2wd. Paid $550 for it a few weeks ago and drove it 7000kms+ across Canada with no troubles. Now a few minor issues are popping up.

The #4 plug keeps dying after every couple weeks. Looks like it overheats, but no other symptoms of overheating. Also the oil level keeps dropping, but she starts fine, no oil burning smell, no visible leaks, and it isnt in the rad. Noticed some seepage around the oil drain plug, but it was tight and I sealed it with silicone to see if the oil level still dropped, which it did. Any ideas on where to start would be very helpful.
Jeep when I got her


Jeep after

 

Oil doesn't just disappear. Get underneath there, get dirty and really look around for oil leaks.

Also, how does your air filter look? Any oil on it?

Oh and as far as your plug issue, I would replace all spark plugs and spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor.

 

I know oil dont disappear, but I cant find it. Ive been uderneath dozens of times, and cant seem to find the problem. And it isnt a small leak/bun, its about a quart a week.

New cap/rotor/plugs and wires and still make plugs look like crap after a couple hundred kms.

There is also a knock from the drivers side on slight acceleration, mainly when going uphill. Possibly related???

Im a total newb to Jeeps, but I am somewhat mechaniclly inclined and dont mind diving in.

 

If when you mash on the go pedal you don't see a blue cloud in your rearview mirror, the oil has to be leaking out somewhere. Park the Jeep on a piece of cardboard to help narrow down the leak (1 quart / week is a lot).

 

Still no visible leaks, even after putting a clean piece of plywood underneath. This thing has me stumped. It has to be going somewhere.

 

If your plugs keep fouling, I suspect I know where at least some of your oil is going. Grab a compression tester and do a wet/dry comparison on each cylinder.

 

^^ x2

Just because you can't smell the oil burning doesn't mean it's not happening. Although if you're burning 1 qt/week you SHOULD be able to smell it without too much trouble. I suspect there's more than reason your oil level is dropping.