These many months later still haven't fixed the issue. I'm pretty sure at this point it isn't the rings. Latest suspicion is the head gaskets. I dismissed that earlier, but now reconsidering it upon new evidence. One being I didn't realize that stop leak had been placed in the radiator before I bought it. Never seen/use the stuff, so didn't recognize it in the radiator filler cap area. Additionally, there is air bubbles coming up.

So I will try to have a sniffer test done and price up HG repairs. I also need to see what a head swap would cost for a new head. I don't suspect a crack (yes, I have the 0331 head) but might as well look as replacing for more reliability. Of course I also am considering selling the Jeep as a whole (see my for sale post in the appropriate section of the site).

 

What color is the oil on the bottom of your oil cap? If it is pale and looks like chocolate milk, then your head gasket is bad.

To properly do a compression test you need to crank the engine 6-8 times with the gas peddle fully pushed.

 

replacing a HG is easy - bring it to one of our meetups and we'd knock it out in a couple hours

 

No discoloration that I can remember identifying. Granted I am not use to seeing the bad oil. For whatever reason, I suck at doing a compression check. I did it on a car I knew was good....and still got low compression. Maybe it is the gauge set, I did get it from Harbor Freight!

Dukie, You talking about the Elements meet ups or one of the others group deals. I never seem to be able to get to those.

I think to cure the curiousity...I'll go open the hood and pop the oil cap and take a pic, post it here later.

 

nope. Maryland XJ guys - we usually have a low key meetup once a month to have a BBQ or just sit and BS or wrench. Keep an eye on the maryland thread.

 

Cool thanks...I try to keep up in that thread ;-)

 

Ditch that hf compression tester. If you have no other choice, rent one from autozone. They're free to rent and if it doesn't work they'll swap it out for a different one.

1. Remove #1 spark plug
2. Remove sending wire from ignition coil (the thin wire)
3. Connect compression tester
4. Get in jeep, fully depress gas pedal, and crank motor 6-8 times.
5. Check reading and write it down.
6. Remove compression tester.
7. Drop a few drops of oil in the spark plug hole.
8. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5. This second result gives you a leak down result. Write this number down aswell. Your first and second readings should be very close.
9. Remove compression tester and replace spark plug.
10. Repeat the above steps through all cylinders and post your results.

 

it's a hard thing to do to keep up with. if we do something to help ya out, I'll have to try to be there to help/learn some things.