Hello all. Just got a good deal on a 2000 Cherokee Classic with 156,000 miles on it to drive in the Ohio winters and possibly for some off road fun. New to Jeeps and I am very excited about this buy. I have always wanted an xj.

Few questions. It has somewhat significant milage on it, I am unsure of that past matainence that has been done so I am going to do some asap.

Fluids- Is Shell Rotella an acceptable oil to run? I have used it in the past and like it. There seem to be some oil buildup on the left side of the block, not sure yet what that may be?

The ATF seems to be a little brown but I am hesitant to change it out because for all I know it could be factory fluid, so I am not sure if it would cause more problems to change it out or would you think it'll be alright? This concern goes with pretty much all the driveline fluids.

It also has a slight wonder but not too bad. Any other suggestions on what to look for/do?

Thanks gentlemen, it's a pleasure.

 

I havent herd much about shell motor oil but im sure its good enough to run in your 4.0. The leak on the side of your block is most likely just a valve cover gasket, alot of XJ's get leaky valve cover gaskets because over time the bolts get loose on the valve cover. Check to see if there tight and if they are it might be time for a new Valve cover gasket, it also could just be some grease/build up over the years of being driven. For the wandering it probably just needs an alignment and that would take care of it and for the tranny fluid dont flush it all at once or it will mess up your transmission and make it shift/act funny.

 

I found it odd that the left was coated but the right was bone dry, that is why I didn't consider vcg leak.

 

welcome to the site from san fran, ca

 

Well if you have a leak from your EVAP line running into the valve cover that would do it to. Does it look like the oil is starting to cover the block from the head down or from the valve cover down? Or is it lower like just about the oil pan.

 

You can change the trans. fluid and filter but I wouldn't flush it out.

 

Not EVAP line. Looks like valve cover down. Just strange it seems like only the left side. Any other suggestions on what to look out for or some good maintenance to do? I have a lot of wind noise almost like the door is sagging or something, but it sounds like the windshield. Not sure exactly what that is.

 

Hi Hoovw!

Welcome to CF! Im new here too!

Hopefully you get that noise figured out and your XJ running good =]

 

Welcome from the great cold north!

 

Welcome, from Wisconsin.

 

Thanks fellas.

 

Welcome from Texas..