Had a mechanic check the engine noise, most likely from low end. Damn. Anyone have any recommendation on where to look for a used block?

 

Unless its very close friend or family (someone you actually trust) I have a serious distrust and fear of what any mechanic says. When I was younger I got burned bad taking my ride to shop. That's what prompted me to learn to do everything myself...

Is the noise you are hearing loud enough where can you post a video or sound clip?

Its not fun, but its not super hard either to pull the oil pan and investigate. Once the pan is off you can see the backside of the timing case at the bottom and see if your chain is slapping around. You can check to see if your rod bearing are going out (must have torque wrench). Main bearings are almost always ok in these engines. The '00 and '01 I believe are known to have a weak piston casting - thin skirts if I remember correctly. But if you have a cracked piston skirt I would think the noise would be continual... (I have a '00 and I'm just waiting for the day this happens - then I have an excuse to rebuild and put a new head on the motor too.)

Is it possible a lifter is struggling to get pumped up?

 

Thanks for the info. I think you're right, it could be rod bearing.

 

I have another issue with this Jeep that I'm trying to figure out.

When I put it into drive the rear sags a small amount, and I hear a slight clunking sound. When I drive it feels like front driver side has more traction than the right. Before I rotated the tires the wear patterns were worn out in the middle and cupping on mostly driver side front.

 

The meat from the rear tires were totally fine and wore evenly. Where should I look first? I was thinking front suspension caster angle issue, but have no clue.

 

I would start by checking your leaf springs and hardware in the back. If it didn't sag before and you weren't hearing that clunk, makes me think something has changed. I'm curious if you find anything...

On the front tire wear issue, I always heard that wearing down in the middle is a sign of over inflation. Which I would think in our jeeps is not a common issue? I run less psi than what is called for. The cupping issue I have no clue about. My '14 Ram 3500 cups on the outer edge of both front tires and the guy at the alignment shop says its just something that happens on those trucks. So idk, may have something to do with the solid front axle.

I would get an alignment shop to put it on the rack and print off a sheet of what the current numbers are. Just to give you some data to go by. You may find your caster is different on each front corner. Then you can adjust your control arms from there. Or have the shop do it if they will work on lifted rigs. (some shops won't touch them.)

Feeling traction on one side vs the other is a hard to thing to nail down.. Makes me wonder. For example, if one of your rear leaf springs was cracked - you would sag, hear noise and the weight of the vehicle would be distributed differently - creating a traction difference for certain tires.

Let us know what you find out!

 

As always, appreciate all the info.

Going to look into the front control arms, and drop my psi.

 

Pain in the ****, but well worth it.

 

 

Best upgrade yet.

 

How does the phone holder mount?

 

Does look kinda good and not overly expensive.

 

It has an adjustable plastic clip in the back that can screw tight, this thing stays put.

 

Got a coolant leak around my fan, might be radiator, haven't confirmed it yet.

I'd prefer to replace it with OEM, but not finding anything online. I've read mixed reviews about CSF 2671 radiator.

Anyone have any recommendation for a replacement radiator?

 

Around the mechanical or electric fan?
If around the electrical fan in the area of the lower hose check the nut that holds the lower tranny line fitting in.
Had a leak a few years back and thought it was my 10 year old Spectra radiator.
Then what I thought was a stupid idea popped into my head.
Put a wrench to that nut and sure enough.
Until then I didn't even know that was a thing.