GrandBoost98

Drove it to work this morning! It still has a rumble/vibration over 50mph but I take back roads to work so it wasnt bad. The steering could be a little tighter. The tailpipe I installed the other day rattled a little so Ill need to readjust that. My work commute is only about 18mins but the temp gauge never got over 120F. It did throw out some scorching heat though so I'm thinking its the temp sender. And out of all my 2.5 Jeeps, this one is the most gutless unfortunately. I have to verify what gears it has because it feels very underpowered compared to the other two.

Took it for a ride and I didnt see any leaks afterwards I don't think the temp got over 150 or whatever 1/4 of the way is on the gauge. I already changed the thermostat and the PO changed the water pump. Ill have to get a temp gun on it and see what it really is. Maybe just need a new sender.

Thanks again! I'm familiar with the setup on the plastic valve cover that has a traditional PCV valve as its the same as my 89 YJ but these aluminum ones are a bit different. I may end up swapping the one on my YJ too, someday. I already pulled the baffles out from inside the valve cover as well as the brass fitting and let them soak in a bucket of purple power overnight. They were pretty gunked up but came out good as new. Going to cut the baffles down like shown in cruisers tip #25 before reinstalling them

Thanks to @schardein , I will be picking up the correct part after work. Turns out this is from a 91-93ish 2.5L and uses this instead https://www.amazon.com/Crown-Automotive-53030591-Emission-Elbow/dp/B00SFUJRKG

@schardeinThank you! I didnt realize they were available in 91-93. I was looking from 94-2000. The NAPA by me has one in stock so Ill swing by after work and grab it

My original valve cover was warped and leaking. I ordered a new plastic valve cover but the holes were way off. So I found an aluminum valve cover locally to use. I already got the 98 dodge dakota blue felpro gasket and a new oil fill cap. What I can't find is the right part to go here. This grommet and elbow is what I found looking through several years of wranglers and cherokees so I thought I got the right configuration but it appears not. I know I can hog out that hole to accept the grommet I have but was wondering if anyone knew the correct part that goes there

I was able to paint the valve cover inbetween mowing the lawn, walking the dog and eating dinner lol but it came out good. I have a white paint marker Ill hit the stripes with too once its fully dried. I thought I got the right configuration of grommet and elbow but it appears not. I know I can hog out that hole to accept the grommet I have but was wondering if anyone knew the correct part that goes there

So I unbolted the parts from the valve cover and let them soak in purple power overnight and then Ill cut an inch off the bottom before reinstalling. Picked up some aircraft remover to strip the valve cover and it worked out great after two applications, some power washing and minimal scraping. And I think I'm going to hit it with some black paint, too lazy to polish it and its not a show jeep. Got the blue felpro gasket, grommet and elbow coming in today and the exhaust pipe expander I ordered should be here tomorrow. Should be a busy weekend

A YJ buddy was going through the same issue, you can read his journey here https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/arizona-a-c-highway-overheating.4363457/ And here he gives his wrap up https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/arizona-a-c-highway-overheating.4363457/post-41550292

Well I found an aluminum valve cover locally. Came with bolts, a new oil cap and I just need to find the grommet that goes in the front. Spent some time last night cleaning it up. I think I'm going to also do cruisers valve cover mod because, why not. Trying to decide if I want to strip it and leave it aluminum or repaint it. I also ordered a felpro gasket for a 98 durango as I saw suggested here.

I got the track bar installed a couple weekends ago. Made a huge difference. Over this past weekend I changed the thermostat because it seemed like the old one was stuck open, never got up to operating temp. And I tried changing the valve cover but that ended up being a headache. The bolt holes on the new one didnt line up. So I had to clean up and try reusing the old one which was obviously warped. Hoped that with enough rtv it would seal but no luck. Then I took off the side exit exhaust the PO installed and attempted to install the new tail pipe I bought but the outlet on the muffler was too crushed. So now its back in the garage while I try to hunt down an aluminum valve cover and an exhaust expander

That is SO cool! I always loved FCs. If it were closer I would have to own that lol

Got some parts in the mail yesterday. I ended up ordering the Moog track bar along with a rough country steering stabilizer to tighten up the front end. I also ordered a new valve cover and gasket. Started doing the track bar last night. The top was kind of a pain since it was so loose it just wanted to spin. The bottom bolt head snapped off and the bolt was seized in the bushing so I just cut the rest of it out. Going to make a trip to tractor supply for some hardware today

Around me there are WAY more 2wd than 4wd MJs

Took it for a ride into town when I got home from work. Was much smoother but you can still see the mirrors vibrate and there was a lot of play in the steering. I figured I would tighten up the steering box when I got home like I did with my other comanche. Nope. The upper track bar bushing is SHOT. The body moves side to side long before the wheels start to turn lol and I had just got it up to about 55 with no death wobble! I think I'm just going to get a Moog for now unless someone can suggest a better alternative. Adjustable track bars are expensive these days lol Ill end up getting one when I 4wd swap and lift it but I can get a Moog on amazon for about $50 and be on my way

Pics

I guessed right, it was the yoke. Tried another ujoint in the yoke and it was loose as well. Measured .023" with my feeler gauge. Luckily I have a D35 in my axle pile I was able to steal the yoke off of. Cleaned it up, chased the threads and greased it. But before I could finish bolting everything together my wife blocked me in so no test ride lol After closer inspection of the spare valve cover I had, there was a crack in it. But the fill cap seemed tighter so I took that and tossed the rest. Ill either buy a new plastic valve cover or try to find a reasonably priced aluminum one. Also, Does anyone know what would have been bolted on here?

The play is in the ujoint between the caps with the straps. But the caps arent moving, the ujoint is moving between the caps, as if it was too narrow or a cap was walking out. But the little nub that retains the caps are still there. I just replaced that ujoint for the same issue which is why my first guess was maybe the yoke. I'm going to try and pull it again after work and take a closer look. I do have extra straps I can try if these look questionable

Oops lol was in a rush and overlooked the fuse. Turn signals all good. Crawled underneath to see if I could find a rattle I was hearing while driving or anything else loose that might be causing the vibs. The rattle ended up being the passenger side ebrake bracket. It was bouncing around behind the drum. So I found a bolt and put it back on. But I unfortunately found some play in the ujoint I just installed in the rear drive shaft. They are the same as an XJ/YJ right? I just grabbed a new one off my shelf and didnt have any problem installing it. I wonder if the yoke is worn out maybe?

Had some company over so didnt get much garage time. But I did swap out the flasher relay...still no blinkers. Guess I gotta break out the meter again. I know they worked when I bought it and the hazard lights still work so hopeful that its something stupid

3 of my 8 vehicles have been claimed by bees this year but only one had a nest in the fuel door. The others have been in the engine bay, grill, fender and they love my trailer too. Ive found nests under the trailers fenders, under the deck, in the tubes..everywhere I knew the stings would hurt but man I was not expecting that! And then another week of sore, swollen itchyness. I guess it could always be worse. Atleast I didnt need a trip to the emergency room

You might need new batteries, our electric swatter will fry them! Anything in arms reach becomes a weapon though lol I even started considering one of those bug-a-salt guns. Ive taken several nests down but they just keep coming back. I want to learn some prevention tactics. Last one stung me right on my butt cheek!

And all other sting-things(wasps, hornets etc) How do you all keep them out of your parked vehicles? This year has been especially bad. Ive never been stung in my life but was stung 4 times this year. It SUCKS to say the least lol It got to the point yesterday where I had my wife watching my back with an electric swatter while I was working in the driveway 😅 I have so many different bee species on my property, its crazy!

Was a busy weekend in the garage working on several vehicles. But I did get a chance to swap out the turbine wheels from the old to new comanche. They made for a noticeably smoother ride, but theres still enough vibration to shake the rear view mirror enough so that you can't see out of it. And its got a slight oil leak that could be 1 or all of 3 things lol oil fill cap, valve cover and drain plug. I think Ill throw in a new flasher relay after work and re pack the front wheel bearings with some fresh grease. I got a valve cover on the shelf thats not warped so Ill pick up a new gasket and throw that on too.