Re: Removing the head on a 4.0 Wrangler

"Outatime" <Outatime@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:YKWdnVrsAe-OPyLanZ2dnUVZ_vyinZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Dennis wrote:
>
>> I was using Fram filters and the lifters would clatter on hot or cold 
>> start ups. I now use AC Delco or Mobile One filters.  The lifters still

>> clatter but only on cold starts and they
>> quiet down after a couple of seconds. I figure if they clatter at all 
>> this can't be good and it will just get worse so that's why I thought 
>> that they should be replaced.
>
> If the oil is still draining out of the valvetrain assembly after the 
> engine is shut down, continue your search for a filter with a decent 
> anti-drainback valve.
>
>> I also suspect it could have a bad head gasket. It's using about a
quart 
>> of anti- freeze a month. There are no obvious leaks and I can't figure 
>> out where else the anti-freeze is going. There are no other clues of a 
>> bad head gasket.
>> We bought the Jeep new so I know that it has never over heated which 
>> makes it hard to believe that the head gasket could be bad.
>> But where else could the anti-freeze be going except out the exhaust. 
>> Recently got a check engine light saying the cat. converter was bad.
>>  I understand that coolant in the exhaust can cause the converters to 
>> fail prematurely.
>
> It's obvious you have a coolant leak, but WHERE is the question.  My
best 
> suggestion: pressurize the cooling system and look for external leaks 
> first. (Any good mechanic can perform this test for you.)
>
> If you see nothing external but the system will not hold pressure, next 
> step is to remove all spark plugs and examine each cylinder for the 
> presence of coolant intrusion.  I've often used a simple grabber-tool
with 
> a cotton ball on the end, inserted into each cylinder after
pressurization 
> to find coolant.
>
> What did the mechanic that replaced your cats say about the cause?
>
>> Any thoughts or guidance would be appreciated. ( Please don't say buy a

>> Ford, my wife loves her Jeep)
>
> I would never counsel anyone by buy a Ford product.  Not even my worst 
> enemy.
>
> -Outatime
> Wheelin'-n-Grinnin' in Central CA, USA
>
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 did the pressure test and the system held pressure with no external
leaks. 
I like the cotton ball technique,
I will try that first.

The dealer****p replaced the cats and told me that sometimes they just go 
bad.
I don't know if they tried to determine the cause.

I thought that AC Delco and Mobile One were the best filters.
If I can determine that the head isn't leaking then I'll try other brands.
Purolater and K&N are some that I haven't tried yet.

Thanks for your response,
Dennis