AndyY

Hello all, I hope you can help. It looks like this is a good forum to join.

I'm new to the grand Cherokee world, but we've had Full-Size Jeeps since the 90's.

I picked up my "new" 1996 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 5.2 V8 and about 129,000 miles on the clock, and drives well and has great power, but I've noticed a couple of issues:

#1. The dipstick will not go back into its tube completely.. I've tried everything. Oil pressure is good (middle of the range) and it doesn't leak too badly so I'm safe, but I'd like to check the level.
#2. My temp only reaches about 150 to 160 degrees, and takes forever to get there. Coolant is full, and the heater works as well as it can.
#3. Slight clunking on sharper bumps. I'm thinking ball joints at the moment, but I'll get under it this weekend and make sure it isn't just worn shock bushings.
#4. I noticed a slight vibration when I rev the engine in park or neutral around 2,000 rpms. I'm not really worried about it, but I wondered if anyone had experienced this.
#5. Even though it doen't leak too badly (see #1), there does seem to be a seep from the front crankshaft and rear main seals. Can these be replaced with the motor in the truck rather than having to deal with a motor pull?

Sorry I didn't do an exhaustive search, please feel free to reprimand or just suggest inks if necessary.

Thanks,
Andy

2Evil4U

For the one's I can comment on:

2: Sounds like it has no T-stat or a falied open unit. Buy a 195 and replace it.

4: Since you say the front main seal is leaking, maybe you should check to see the condition of the harmonic balancer? If it failed, It could take out the seal and cause vibration.

5: Yes. Even easier if it is a 2wd.

Michael4

4. You might want to check your injectors.
The other guys 4 and 5 are both for 5.

AndyY

But I like to be difficult and have a full-time 4WD .

I'll have fun this weekend, thanks for the help so far!

Andy

2Evil4U

So a failed harmonic balancer won't affect engine vibration?

Bustedback

Yes it can.

Michael4

Sorry, I had bad injectors so...

leadpipe58

What I would do for your dipstick problem is after your next oil change when you know the engine has the proper amount of oil in it look at were the level is on the stick and use it as the full line.You may have the wrong dipstick in that engine.
I have A trany leak on mine and instead if putting it in neutral to check all the time.I just made the level correct in neutral then checked in park and noted the difference.Hey it leaks any way.
Hope that is a help.

AndyY

That sounds like a good solution. I'm up for an oil change this weekend and was planning on dropping the pan and making sure there isnt anything more drastic wrong in there. Does anyone have a length on their '96 5.2 oil dipstick they'd like to share?

AndyY

or the part number that is stamped on the dipstick. Mine says 53020447.

AndyY

That is the correct dipstick. It takes a looooong trip along the shallow end of the pan into the sump right next to the pickup screen. I can't figure out why it wouldn't go in easily, but I put another bend in it about 8-inches from the tip and it's happy now.

On another note, pulling the pan sucks hardcore (though it was still easier than my 4Runner. I decided to pull and replace the gasket while investigating the dipstick issue and remedy the leak that was going on. I ended up unhooking both upper control arms, the steering linkage, and stabilizer in order to get it all out, and I still had to do some fancy unbolting work with the pickup screen and hose.

That's my weekend in a nutshell, I'm sure my wife is wondering why we got this Jeep, but I'm still happy.

Thanks for all the input.

Andy

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Current money pits:
2007 WRX Wagon
1994 4Runner 4x4 v6 (resting)
2002 Kawasaki Vulcan Bobber/Cafe' Racer
1996 Grand Cherokee Laredo 5.2 4x4
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