Paul Morack

Hello,

No tuby markings on head

0331
I was hoping I could ask some advise.

I have a 2001 XJ 106,000 miles. Well maintained with oil changes every 5,000 miles. It has the with notorious 0331 head. I am using coolant and the oil light comes on at idle hot. Checked with mechanical gauge and pressure is 8 psi at idle hot.

I am using coolant. I see some milky sludge at the PCV valve and under the valve cover near PCV. I have pressure tested the cooling system with valve cover off and see no signs of crack between 3 and 4 cylinders.

Oil level does not rise, is not milky??? Does this head crack else where? How can I use so much coolant into the oil and it not appear milky and the oil level does not rise?

im considering replacing the head and doing the rod and main bearings in the vehicle. However I’m reading that cam bearings could be the main problem? Can the cam bearings be replaced in the vehicle?

if I have to pull this engine to do the cam bearings and with 106,000 miles I should do a full rebuild. I’m considering buying a reman long block with the upgrade head. Any recommendations on where to purchase the remanufactured engine?

any advise would be appreciated

Thank you,
Paul Morack
248-760-6960

agreen

The milky stuff you're seeing under the cap is common. We always called it lung butter. It comes from the inherent moisture in the crankcase. Not much to worry about.

The coolant use *could be due to a bad radiator cap. It's often overlooked and sometimes it'll just sneak out and you won't notice it until all the coolant is gone.

agreen

Also, cam bearings technically could be done with the engine in, but it would be terribly difficult. If it needs done, pull the engine.

I'd hook up a mechanical gauge to verify the low oil pressure. Could be a faulty sending unit. Or it could just be a worn out engine. What weight oil do you use? What oil filter?

Paul Morack

The radiator cap is not leaking. If it was I would see and smell coolant.

Using 10w - 30W oil. Using a high quality STP oil filter. Manual gauge reads 8 psi at idle hot.

at 106,000 miles I would not expect the engine to be worn out.

Tsaani97xj

Water pump could be weeping and evaporating before actually showing signs of leaking. Head could be cracked and leaking into the exhaust but usually that can be seen coming out the tail pipe as vapor.

Dave51

Yeah wouldn't think so.

Did this whole thing start suddenly?

At 8 PSI hot are the lifters and rods making a racket?

How did you set up the mechanical oil gauge? Occasionally the passages at the oil filter adapter can get clogged and result in erroneous readings.

After that I'd pull the pan and check the oil pump.

Dave51

From your other thread:

You need to pull the pan AND the head to assess the damage. Then get your plan together.