Uh, where do I begin ?

189,000 miles. Just changed the oil and 1 day later it sounds like a sewing machine !

In the winter months we have heard a little clatter, common in all of my jeeps ive owned.

But this sounds like a loose rocker and i am hoping this is something i can adjust myself. If that is what it is.

suggestions ?

Sorry but there's no lash adjustment on your 4.0L. Maybe just a sticky lifter.

Well then, here comes a quart of tranny fluid !

Well, I pulled the valve cover and didnt feel or see any rocker issues.

Put half a quart of tranny fluid to see if a sticky lifter would open up.

knocking is worse, and louder. Sounds like a collapsed lifter now and i do believe I will need to get another motor rounded up to slap in my GC.

Anyone have a 4.0 with less than a 100,000 they want to sell ?

how is the oil pressure indicator?
start the engine w/o the valvecover (only a few seconds) and see whats wrong.
if it looks ok take oil pan off and check piston rods
but before all this i would change oil with 20w60..

If the lower-end's still good you could pull the head and put new lifters in the block. JMO

I am gonna try heavy duty oil first....then repull the valvecover and go from there. I found a good deal on a wrecked GC and can buy for a decent price and take what i need and sell the rest.

Okay then. That sounds like a good solution.

Well, drove it to my shop. On the way there, steering got stiff, pedal was stiff, engine died and lots of chugging and vibration. pulled over, smoke. set for a minute, started back up and took off. Made it to the shop, 3 miles away with the #1 connccting rod denting the pan. Funny thing is, it starts and I can move it around my shop. Engine races in the rpms but runs. lol Well, looks like its time to start pulling !

Hey, at least you weren't stranded on the trail somewhere.

I honestly think I could rive this jeep for a 100 miles. As long as it held oil !