I misread something on a different forum and took it too far... Title should be changed to "Jeep Engine Knock" If any mods read this.. Im pretty sure its a bad lifter/worn cam because it comes from the top end, but it could also be piston slap. What do you guys think? jeep has about 205,000 miles on it. Bought it about two months ago, had a pretty good knock to it when we bought it, I changed the oil to Valvoline Maxlife High Mileage 10w-40 Synthetic Blend and a FRAM filter. Now that it is getting colder out the knock is getting alot louder till it warms up a bit then it quiets down.. By the way, No leaks with the Synth Blend. Im gonna drive it till it blows and find a new motor...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http:...?v=LePW9seBwVs

 

So tell me how the oil filter allows the oil to drain out of the system? There is no check valve in a oil filter.... Gravity pulls the oil to it's lowest level and if an oil filter is mounted sideways, some of that oil to going into the sump too...

The basic construction of Fram oil filters is no different than any other so you can't blame Fram. Sounds more like your engine is getting loose and by changing the oil to fresh, clean oil, you've removed the junk that was keeping your engine from knocking so bad...

 

Honestly I dont think that the Fram filter would cause that to happen, your motor is probably just getting to that point where it needs to be rebuilt. I would try this the next time you do an oil change if you motor doesnt blow before that, take a quart of trans fluid and put it in with the oil and run your motor for awhile and then change the oil. A buddy in my offroad club did that to his XJ and it would at least quite it down a bit. I did it to mine and it sounds like it has 5 miles on it

 

You didn't mention how many miles it had on it.

 

I use Fram on both my jeeps. One with 71k on it and the other with 138k. They don't sound like that at all.

 

Whoa.....umm........you might need to rebuild

 

pull your flywheel inspection cover and look for a spider web black lines before you do anything else.almost sounds like mine did and the flexplate was broken in a complete cirlce almost like a star pattern replaced flexplate noise gone. Just a thought.

 

Ill try that, maybe tomorrow.. What side is the inspection cover on, the side with the starter? If so, do I have to take the starter off?

On a side note, at least theres no blowby!

 

No its on the bottom. It has two big bolts and 1 small bolt holding it into place.inbetween the oil pan and trans.

 

I went out and looked at it.. Looks like its gonna be a b!tch to get a couple of the bolts out. Might go for it tomorrow if its not too cold out.

 

Mine with 180,xxx and sounds no where near that. She has some lifter noise when cold but that sir is a knock! That would be one of your pistons saying "hey, if you rev me above four grand I might just pop out and say hello." I would be saving my pennys so come spring you can get a new/used engine. Where in Michigan? I can help you with the swap.

 

Im in Sanford, about 8 miles from Midland.. Hopefully Ill have a job this winter (im 18, dont have a job yet. Just finished my test for my GED and am waiting for the results) and the Jeep will hold together long enough for me to save up some money.. I still have to pay my dad back for the jeep also, he paid 1200 for it and had to take out a loan. so it looks like Ill be saving money to pay dad back AND pay for a new motor. Anyway, thanks for the offer and well see what happens.. If youre too far away thats fine also.

Dylan

 

Hi,
I am the technical training manager for FRAM, also own a repair shop and wok on a lot of Jeeps. The suggestions about checking your flywheel are valid, you should also check the damper on the front of the crank. I have seen many jeeps with 4.0's in my shop where the thrust bearing on the crank goes away with high miles and destroys the flexplate or the damper resulting in a knocking sound that can sound like its coming from the valve train. I have had very good luck swapping in later model 4.0 engines in older cherokee's with a few changes. most boneyards will tell you they wont work, the hardest thing I have had to do beside swapping intake and exhaust is drill and tap a hole for the coolant sensor. I hope you do not take stock in the FRAM bashers, we do make good filters and I can assure that your choice of filter did not contribute to the demise of your engine.
If you have any questions about filtration, I am happy to answer them at Jay.Buckley@Honeywell.com

 

Maybe its just me but I didnt hear it get any quieter

 

Thanks for the advice. Im not really blaming Fram for the knock, I knew this motor was gonna need work when we bought it. I just hope it will last through the winter so I can make some money.. I wanna stay with a Renix engine if I can, but get rid of the EGR system and some of the vaccum stuff. If I cannot find a Renix engine then I will try to find a 96HO like my girlfriend has...