Coolant system FAIL - Now I have Valve Cover Off! 8-)

[possum]

Just get rid of the heater control valve and run a regular piece of heater hose from the block to the heater core. Mine blew up on me on the trail. Thank god for brush on electrical tape. It kept the coolant in for the rest of the day and the trip back home.

[Pete M]

Have you pulled up the valve cover to see if anything is loose inside?

 

Negative... I'm afraid what I might find....and I've never taken one off before, the way I work on things, I'd bust something and never get back together.

 

 

It's not that hard. It's been a while but if I remember it right, a dozen or so bolts and the cover pops off. Clean the inside of the cover of any grimy build up. Clean the gasket off (being careful not to let the pieces fall into the engine). Then replace cover using new gasket and torque in the proper sequence. Having access to a torque wrench is really the only catch. That, and the rear most bolt can be a real bear without an ratchet U-joint. You really should own both those things anyways. While it's open, wiggle the lifters to see if any are seriously loose. Torque them down to spec if they aren't quite right. Be careful not to break anything nearby by leaning on it and you should fine. :thumbsup:

[BlueXJ]

There is really no reason that a Renix motor is running poorly. I have a couple and they each run pretty well. They can be easily diagnosed with a $4 multimeter. And most parts are pretty cheap and easily replaced.

Worst case is a re-manufactured engine and that will last you over 15 years if properly maintained. The reman engines are about $1800 so for less than a 150 a year you can drive your MJ another 15 years or so. Sounds like a deal to me.

[SuperWade2]

*UPDATE*

 

I might kill this thing yet... went to drive it today (for the first time in a week or so)... completely DEAD...no turn over, no click click, no vrr..vrr no start...nada/nothing... I'm hoping just a battery, but didn't have time to mess with it since I was already late to my 7:30 meeting, I have my old Optima Blue Top from my TJ in the garage that I tossed the charger on, so will stick it in this evening to see if that was it. I think my battery cables could use a scrub also.

 

I think this thing wants me to get pissed and get rid of it!

 

Sw2

[Pete M]

Meh. My trucks are so unreliable that I think I'd freak out if they started on the first try. :D

[HOrnbrod]

I'm also a little disappointed that I didn't even elicit a snide or smart assed remark from either Wahoo or JT on this entire thread...what is this site coming too now a days?

 

Snide and/or smart assed replies are no longer allowed SW2. If it happens, the thread is immediately locked. :cheers:

 

ONLY KIDDING Pete & Eagle. :D Seriously Wade, you should pop off the valve cover and take a look-see inside. Prolly just loose rockers. Suggest using the more expensive composite valve cover gasket (Fel-pro) when buttoning it up; they're basically idiot proof.

[SuperWade2]

they're basically idiotproof.

 

I've messed up more than my share of "idiot proof" projects, so don't overestimate me... I went ahead and ordered one of those gaskets from RockAuto and once I can fire it up and pull it into my garage, I'll pop off the valve cover and see what I can see.

 

My Battery cable clamps are pretty bad off and I can't tighten at all and I sheared one of the bolt heads trying to take it off... I'm guessing a combo of old cheapy battery and bad terminals, but I didn't get to the parts store this evening (on kid duty) so won't know for sure if that's my starting problem or not till tomorrow. I'm going to toss my Optima in there to make sure once I replace the terminals.

 

sw2

[SuperWade2]

I'm also a little disappointed that I didn't even elicit a snide or smart assed remark from either Wahoo or JT on this entire thread...what is this site coming too now a days?

 

Snide and/or smart assed replies are no longer allowed SW2. If it happens, the thread is immediately locked. :cheers:

 

ONLY KIDDING Pete & Eagle. :D Seriously Wade, you should pop off the valve cover and take a look-see inside. Prolly just loose rockers. Suggest using the more expensive composite valve cover gasket (Fel-pro) when buttoning it up; they're basically idiot proof.

 

You were right, it was idiot proof, at least taking the cover off... Now I don't have a clue what I'm looking for or at... the inside of the cover is nearly clean enough for me to eat off of (pic blow is 2 seconds after I popped it off, no wiping)...How should I check everything else?

 

 

Maybe now would also be a good time to do the Fuel Injectors that have been sitting on my bench for month and month...

[HOrnbrod]

You were right, it was idiot proof, at least taking the cover off... Now I don't have a clue what I'm looking for or at... the inside of the cover is nearly clean enough for me to eat off of (pic blow is 2 seconds after I popped it off, no wiping)...How should I check everything else?

 

Maybe now would also be a good time to do the Fuel Injectors that have been sitting on my bench for month and month...

 

Wow, that does look good and clean in there. When I did mine I just re-torqued the rocker and head bolts, retightened the exhaust/intake manifold bolts, and just generally looked for something amiss. You could (but I didn't) pull the plugs and turn the engine over by hand and make sure the valves are all opening and closing and that the lifters are okay.