Yes!~that appears to be the problem, most of the time, just the starting of the engine when it knocks. It runs pretty quiet, beside a little lifter noise.
It doesn't seem to be burning or leaking much. I look under my 89 Cherokee after work every day and no oil spots.
Ok!~Salad I try the Wix filter. I have told several of my friends about your research on oil. We all want more miles out of our vehicles and some of us bought vehicles with 100,000 miles already on them and they are not cheap and we want to take care of them to protect our investments.
Criuser54-I don't believe it's a ticking (like lifters), (it's louder) but goes away in less than 30 seconds. After the first start of the day it's quieter on starts, but if it sits the whole 8 hour day of work it knocks on the start only again.
So does the oil filter being mounted threads down drain out and cause the loud start?
I tried the STP and oil additives that say they help "dry" start ups...they didn't work.

 

Actually, it may be a sticky lifter if turning it off and restarting eliminates or lessens the tick noise.

Is this the case?

Have you shone a flashlight into the oil filler hole and assessed the sludge situation inside the engine?

 

I changed the valve cover gasket and it is clean in the engine, but I have only had the Cherokee 2 years now, but when I got it the oil was dark black.
The noise hasn't gotten any better or worse since I got the car.
The noise is completely eliminated after restart, but like I said I can hear a couple lifters, but it's two different noises. The knock goes away. I always can hear a little lifter noise, unless lifters knock on starts? Use to have a 72 Pontiac 400 cid that use to do the same thing and I threw a rod on the interstate one day. Hope the Wix filter helps.
Just for your info this engine needed lots of work when I first got it.
If look back and search jretzky, it had wiring problems, lots of vacuum lines missing or unplugged, over heating, muffler on backwards, bad EGR valve, broken exhaust manifold, and for some reason cracked up and real loose fuses. I'm getting of the subject, but does the 89 4.0L have a pcv valve? I have never found one.

 

It has a CCV system.

Try adding a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil and run with it for 1000 miles and see what happens.

 

That MMO is good stuff. I did that last year with some steam cleaning of the engine. Runs great. Between that and my rotella, oil isn't black when i change it

 

I got the Rotella T6 and the Wix gold filter.
Walmart has it on sale in Billings, Mt. till the end of May ($5. off mail in rebate) on gallons. Bought the 2 gallons because quarts were more expensive.
Found the gallon for $21. at Walmart and they cost $30. at Napa.
Wondering if any one has used the 5 minute motor flush from Napa?
Could it cause any problems after putting in the new oil?
Can't wait to change my oil this weekend...I hope to quiet this engine down.
I will let you know how things go.
Got my Marvel Mystery oil and I know that works great.
I'm sure other with vehicles with 100,000 plus miles have similar concerns.


Thanks!~

 

Forget the flush crap. Monitor the sludge removal by Rotella by shining a light into the oil filler hole periodically.

 

x2 Be patient. It works for me. If it will clean up a sooty diesel it will clean up your 4.0.

 

Most of those fast flushes are just kerosene or something similar. Horrible for bushings and bearings.

 

I think the GUNK brand is even chlorinated! Add corrosion to the menu

 

Not sure why people wanna use that kind of stuff. Natural water Will lean your engine good then some good oil and filter. Steam cleaning my engine plus some MMO has done wonders.

 

You might want to explain that a bit, or we're going to have a newbie putting a quart of water in with his next oil change.

 

Bwahahahahah. those newbies can Google steam cleaning an XJ engine. Its simple. Get engine up to operational temp. Take intake off, and while keeping rpms at about 2-2500k, slowly pour water or spray bottle spray it into the intake. That's right, directly into the engine.

And as for MMO, next oil change do 5qts rotella and 1qt MMO for about 1k miles and then change oil with rotella have fun and drive

 

Correct. For those who are literarily impaired, here's a video. Is that a word?

 

Is that the guy with the garden hose again?