ok so I got an 01 cherokee sport with the 4.0. auto trans.

first concern at the moment is this.

I took the oil cap off last night and found white chunky crap all over it. when I pulled it out some fell back in.

So got me worried. is it normal condensation? hmm could be, we have had some extremely cold days for the last month and I drive only 12 miles one way to work, so might not have enough time to evaporate properly.

then I get to thinking headgasket, possible. it did stutter once or twice taking off before but never again(maybe fuel pump too), and was using coolant(see later diagnosis)

is it the a cracked 0331 head? havent pulled the valve cover just yet and cant really tell by looking into the oil cap hole. Also My dipstick is a nice dark brown, not a sign of milkyness anywhere. so to be determined..I hope its not the head!! never in my possesion has it overheated that I know of...

its hard to say because as of right now, I have a radiator leak and possibly a heater core leak, so Im not sure if the headgasket is consuming coolant...because its been leaking from the radiator...

also the stutter could be a bad fuel pump, because it does take more than one crank to start it unless I prime it a few times...

kinda looking for the best course of action...

Right now, I have a new radiator, valve cover gasket, water pump, thermostat, idler pulley and a belt. I also have a new fuel pump assembly...

right now I am letting the motor cool off(just got off work) and will pull the valve cover and check for a crack...

 

Drain oil first, let us know how it looks

 

 

Your Jeep is notorious for cracking heads.

White junk under oil cap not a good sign.

 

Change the oil & I'd pull the valve cover & clean it. Sounds like the oil may not have been changed often & might be build up on the inside of the valve cover. Post picture of oil once you drain it.

 

Look at it this way. If it comes down to the worse. If you a have a bad head gasket $30 bucks plus your time. Bad head, you find those anywhere ranging from $75-200 bucks, you have to look around but they are out there. Plus you dont have to have a major in rocket science to swap out the heads.

 

Hi Cody

See your close to me not far from Monett at all, we might wheel together sometime.

As the guys said first thing change the oil and filter to see what they look like sounds like the oil is very dirty. If possible cut open the oil filter close to the base of it and inspect the material inside to see exactly what's inside. If possible post pictures of it "unrolled" so can see what's inside of it. Check the oil drain plug for metal when you pull it to.

Go buy another valve cover gasket and pull the valve cover clean and inspect there. I would venture to guess that you need a new PVC valve also might as well replace it.

Too soon to tell if you have any real problems or just neglect from prior owners. Check the new owners thread many things there that will give you ideas to get your XJ up and running good with the basic's.

 

oil has been changed once in my care. I switched it to mobile 1 full synthetic, Im almost due for an oil change.(5000miles)

I went ahead an tore into changing the radiator...figure thats a known issue that regardless needs done. soon as thats done valve cover and oil change.

 

Mobil 1 will run 8-10K easily with a good filter.

 

Not in an engine that has white junk inside it. It doesn't matter if the oil was changed 200 miles ago, it's time to change it.

 

QFT

 

I think that I would have ran a regular oil in that engine for at least 2 oil changes just to clean things up first. If it were me I still would still do that and forget the Mobil 1 for a while till everything is clean. Change the oil and filter often they are cheap.

 

Rooooteeellaaaaaa T3

 

Spend $20 and send in an oil sample for analysis when you change it. They will tell you right away if there's any trace of coolant in your oil.

 

I just changed my oil today with Chevron Delo 15W-40. $12 for a whole gallon, plus an extra quart just to be sure. Ended up using half of it to top it off. When I drained mine, there were some little white flakes or chunks in it, about the size of a pen tip. Also some came out of the filter when I poured it out.