Ok, discovered the startup noise: My muffler had... rotated... I don't know
how those clamps loosened, but they weren't hard to take off (and they've
been on about 20k miles...). I twisted it a bit, and voila, no more
pop/thump when I start it. It was smacking the bottom of the tub when I
started.

As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can tell
it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along the
side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming from
the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't clean.

I pulled just one plug (one of mine is a PITA to remove -- have to unbolt
and rotate the A/C compressor to get it out) and it was burning really
clean. Almost too clean. Something weird -- the very tip of the metal arc,
just the front skinny edge, was dark green. Almost as if it had been
painted. Very strange. I don't remember it being that color when I bought
them (Autolite plugs). Now that I think about it, I swear I put in Champion
truck plugs.... I must be losing my mind! Could that color be a sign of
anything? Since we're talking green, I had my radiator flushed/filled (they
used compressed air and water to flush it... was pretty neat to see all the
junk fly out of that thing) at about 50k miles or so. Now my overflow tank
is empty, but the coolant is full in the radiator. Sign of anything? I
plan on getting another flush/fill in the spring.

Thanks guys!

Eric
"Andy" <trailrider2008@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:D6JOf.839040$xm3.754731@attbi_s21...
> No, don't use heavier oil. The drip you see is probably part of the 1/2
> quart lost. But 1/2 quart between oil changes is not bad at all. You say
> you have 66K, tuned at 45K. Your due for plugs again, right. That may
> cure your start-up noise. Your engine should last many more miles and I
> do not think you have any internal problems.
>
> Andy
> 2001 TJ
>
>
> "Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
> news:tPHOf.5271$gm.5200@tornado.texas.rr.com...
>> See, only one or two oil changes ago it wasn't using ANY. I had the same
>> amount in it the day I drained it as when I filled it. So to me, this
>> indicates a problem or a change in the situation. If it isn't a problem
>> to be worried about, ok, but I still think it's a problem... my concern
>> was that my increase in highway driving is actually burning the oil vs.
>> just dripping it. A seal leak I can deal with, but something internal...
>>
>> I had a suggestion on another board to use heavier oil. I'm using 10W30
>> right now. Keep in mind, I'm in south Texas, so it does get quite hot.
>> Should I use something thicker?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Eric
>>
>> "Earle Horton" <NurseBustersNoSpam@msn.com> wrote in message
>> news:440af23c$0$28692$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
>>> Yeah, my Suburban was blowing a quart every three hundred miles. I put
>>> two
>>> aftermarket vent caps on each valve cover, connected to three quarter
>>> inch
>>> heater hose, just to keep the oil spray off my windshield. This is
>>> nothing.
>>>
>>> Earle
>>>
>>> "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
>>> news:440AC0EE.D024A85C@***.net...
>>>> That's no oil between oil changes as far as I'm concerned.
>>>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
>>>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>>>>
>>>> Coasty wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> > Check the back of the valve cover it is usually the problem and 1/2
>>> quart in
>>>> > 2k is not bad.
>>>> >
>>>> > Coasty
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

 

"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:PmMOf.5747$gm.719@tornado.texas.rr.com...

>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can
> tell it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along
> the side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming
> from the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't
> clean.

Is it really low on the block, down by the filter? That might be just from
regular oil changes, when the filter is removed it gets oil everywhere on
the pass side. Or the oil pressure sensor might be seeping, it's in that
general area as well.

 

"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:PmMOf.5747$gm.719@tornado.texas.rr.com...

>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can
> tell it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along
> the side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming
> from the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't
> clean.

Is it really low on the block, down by the filter? That might be just from
regular oil changes, when the filter is removed it gets oil everywhere on
the pass side. Or the oil pressure sensor might be seeping, it's in that
general area as well.

 

"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:PmMOf.5747$gm.719@tornado.texas.rr.com...

>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can
> tell it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along
> the side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming
> from the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't
> clean.

Is it really low on the block, down by the filter? That might be just from
regular oil changes, when the filter is removed it gets oil everywhere on
the pass side. Or the oil pressure sensor might be seeping, it's in that
general area as well.

 

"Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
news:PmMOf.5747$gm.719@tornado.texas.rr.com...

>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can
> tell it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along
> the side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming
> from the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't
> clean.

Is it really low on the block, down by the filter? That might be just from
regular oil changes, when the filter is removed it gets oil everywhere on
the pass side. Or the oil pressure sensor might be seeping, it's in that
general area as well.

 

You might be able to just put a wrench on the oil pan bolts. They can
back off easy and might just be finger loose in places.

You should top up the overflow and make sure the rad is topped up......

The super clean and green plug isn't a good thing usually..... How are
the rest of the plugs? If they are dirty, well, keep a close eye on the
coolant and oil levels...

That 'can' be a sign of head gasket issues, same as the seep along the
middle of the engine which might mean all the oil isn't just leaking
out...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Eric wrote:
>
> Ok, discovered the startup noise: My muffler had... rotated... I don't know
> how those clamps loosened, but they weren't hard to take off (and they've
> been on about 20k miles...). I twisted it a bit, and voila, no more
> pop/thump when I start it. It was smacking the bottom of the tub when I
> started.
>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can tell
> it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along the
> side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming from
> the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't clean.
>
> I pulled just one plug (one of mine is a PITA to remove -- have to unbolt
> and rotate the A/C compressor to get it out) and it was burning really
> clean. Almost too clean. Something weird -- the very tip of the metal arc,
> just the front skinny edge, was dark green. Almost as if it had been
> painted. Very strange. I don't remember it being that color when I bought
> them (Autolite plugs). Now that I think about it, I swear I put in Champion
> truck plugs.... I must be losing my mind! Could that color be a sign of
> anything? Since we're talking green, I had my radiator flushed/filled (they
> used compressed air and water to flush it... was pretty neat to see all the
> junk fly out of that thing) at about 50k miles or so. Now my overflow tank
> is empty, but the coolant is full in the radiator. Sign of anything? I
> plan on getting another flush/fill in the spring.
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Eric
> "Andy" <trailrider2008@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:D6JOf.839040$xm3.754731@attbi_s21...
> > No, don't use heavier oil. The drip you see is probably part of the 1/2
> > quart lost. But 1/2 quart between oil changes is not bad at all. You say
> > you have 66K, tuned at 45K. Your due for plugs again, right. That may
> > cure your start-up noise. Your engine should last many more miles and I
> > do not think you have any internal problems.
> >
> > Andy
> > 2001 TJ
> >
> >
> > "Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
> > news:tPHOf.5271$gm.5200@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> >> See, only one or two oil changes ago it wasn't using ANY. I had the same
> >> amount in it the day I drained it as when I filled it. So to me, this
> >> indicates a problem or a change in the situation. If it isn't a problem
> >> to be worried about, ok, but I still think it's a problem... my concern
> >> was that my increase in highway driving is actually burning the oil vs.
> >> just dripping it. A seal leak I can deal with, but something internal...
> >>
> >> I had a suggestion on another board to use heavier oil. I'm using 10W30
> >> right now. Keep in mind, I'm in south Texas, so it does get quite hot.
> >> Should I use something thicker?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >> "Earle Horton" <NurseBustersNoSpam@msn.com> wrote in message
> >> news:440af23c$0$28692$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> >>> Yeah, my Suburban was blowing a quart every three hundred miles. I put
> >>> two
> >>> aftermarket vent caps on each valve cover, connected to three quarter
> >>> inch
> >>> heater hose, just to keep the oil spray off my windshield. This is
> >>> nothing.
> >>>
> >>> Earle
> >>>
> >>> "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> >>> news:440AC0EE.D024A85C@***.net...
> >>>> That's no oil between oil changes as far as I'm concerned.
> >>>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> >>>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >>>>
> >>>> Coasty wrote:
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Check the back of the valve cover it is usually the problem and 1/2
> >>> quart in
> >>>> > 2k is not bad.
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Coasty
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >

 

You might be able to just put a wrench on the oil pan bolts. They can
back off easy and might just be finger loose in places.

You should top up the overflow and make sure the rad is topped up......

The super clean and green plug isn't a good thing usually..... How are
the rest of the plugs? If they are dirty, well, keep a close eye on the
coolant and oil levels...

That 'can' be a sign of head gasket issues, same as the seep along the
middle of the engine which might mean all the oil isn't just leaking
out...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Eric wrote:
>
> Ok, discovered the startup noise: My muffler had... rotated... I don't know
> how those clamps loosened, but they weren't hard to take off (and they've
> been on about 20k miles...). I twisted it a bit, and voila, no more
> pop/thump when I start it. It was smacking the bottom of the tub when I
> started.
>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can tell
> it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along the
> side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming from
> the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't clean.
>
> I pulled just one plug (one of mine is a PITA to remove -- have to unbolt
> and rotate the A/C compressor to get it out) and it was burning really
> clean. Almost too clean. Something weird -- the very tip of the metal arc,
> just the front skinny edge, was dark green. Almost as if it had been
> painted. Very strange. I don't remember it being that color when I bought
> them (Autolite plugs). Now that I think about it, I swear I put in Champion
> truck plugs.... I must be losing my mind! Could that color be a sign of
> anything? Since we're talking green, I had my radiator flushed/filled (they
> used compressed air and water to flush it... was pretty neat to see all the
> junk fly out of that thing) at about 50k miles or so. Now my overflow tank
> is empty, but the coolant is full in the radiator. Sign of anything? I
> plan on getting another flush/fill in the spring.
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Eric
> "Andy" <trailrider2008@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:D6JOf.839040$xm3.754731@attbi_s21...
> > No, don't use heavier oil. The drip you see is probably part of the 1/2
> > quart lost. But 1/2 quart between oil changes is not bad at all. You say
> > you have 66K, tuned at 45K. Your due for plugs again, right. That may
> > cure your start-up noise. Your engine should last many more miles and I
> > do not think you have any internal problems.
> >
> > Andy
> > 2001 TJ
> >
> >
> > "Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
> > news:tPHOf.5271$gm.5200@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> >> See, only one or two oil changes ago it wasn't using ANY. I had the same
> >> amount in it the day I drained it as when I filled it. So to me, this
> >> indicates a problem or a change in the situation. If it isn't a problem
> >> to be worried about, ok, but I still think it's a problem... my concern
> >> was that my increase in highway driving is actually burning the oil vs.
> >> just dripping it. A seal leak I can deal with, but something internal...
> >>
> >> I had a suggestion on another board to use heavier oil. I'm using 10W30
> >> right now. Keep in mind, I'm in south Texas, so it does get quite hot.
> >> Should I use something thicker?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >> "Earle Horton" <NurseBustersNoSpam@msn.com> wrote in message
> >> news:440af23c$0$28692$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> >>> Yeah, my Suburban was blowing a quart every three hundred miles. I put
> >>> two
> >>> aftermarket vent caps on each valve cover, connected to three quarter
> >>> inch
> >>> heater hose, just to keep the oil spray off my windshield. This is
> >>> nothing.
> >>>
> >>> Earle
> >>>
> >>> "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> >>> news:440AC0EE.D024A85C@***.net...
> >>>> That's no oil between oil changes as far as I'm concerned.
> >>>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> >>>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >>>>
> >>>> Coasty wrote:
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Check the back of the valve cover it is usually the problem and 1/2
> >>> quart in
> >>>> > 2k is not bad.
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Coasty
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >

 

You might be able to just put a wrench on the oil pan bolts. They can
back off easy and might just be finger loose in places.

You should top up the overflow and make sure the rad is topped up......

The super clean and green plug isn't a good thing usually..... How are
the rest of the plugs? If they are dirty, well, keep a close eye on the
coolant and oil levels...

That 'can' be a sign of head gasket issues, same as the seep along the
middle of the engine which might mean all the oil isn't just leaking
out...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Eric wrote:
>
> Ok, discovered the startup noise: My muffler had... rotated... I don't know
> how those clamps loosened, but they weren't hard to take off (and they've
> been on about 20k miles...). I twisted it a bit, and voila, no more
> pop/thump when I start it. It was smacking the bottom of the tub when I
> started.
>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can tell
> it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along the
> side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming from
> the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't clean.
>
> I pulled just one plug (one of mine is a PITA to remove -- have to unbolt
> and rotate the A/C compressor to get it out) and it was burning really
> clean. Almost too clean. Something weird -- the very tip of the metal arc,
> just the front skinny edge, was dark green. Almost as if it had been
> painted. Very strange. I don't remember it being that color when I bought
> them (Autolite plugs). Now that I think about it, I swear I put in Champion
> truck plugs.... I must be losing my mind! Could that color be a sign of
> anything? Since we're talking green, I had my radiator flushed/filled (they
> used compressed air and water to flush it... was pretty neat to see all the
> junk fly out of that thing) at about 50k miles or so. Now my overflow tank
> is empty, but the coolant is full in the radiator. Sign of anything? I
> plan on getting another flush/fill in the spring.
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Eric
> "Andy" <trailrider2008@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:D6JOf.839040$xm3.754731@attbi_s21...
> > No, don't use heavier oil. The drip you see is probably part of the 1/2
> > quart lost. But 1/2 quart between oil changes is not bad at all. You say
> > you have 66K, tuned at 45K. Your due for plugs again, right. That may
> > cure your start-up noise. Your engine should last many more miles and I
> > do not think you have any internal problems.
> >
> > Andy
> > 2001 TJ
> >
> >
> > "Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
> > news:tPHOf.5271$gm.5200@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> >> See, only one or two oil changes ago it wasn't using ANY. I had the same
> >> amount in it the day I drained it as when I filled it. So to me, this
> >> indicates a problem or a change in the situation. If it isn't a problem
> >> to be worried about, ok, but I still think it's a problem... my concern
> >> was that my increase in highway driving is actually burning the oil vs.
> >> just dripping it. A seal leak I can deal with, but something internal...
> >>
> >> I had a suggestion on another board to use heavier oil. I'm using 10W30
> >> right now. Keep in mind, I'm in south Texas, so it does get quite hot.
> >> Should I use something thicker?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >> "Earle Horton" <NurseBustersNoSpam@msn.com> wrote in message
> >> news:440af23c$0$28692$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> >>> Yeah, my Suburban was blowing a quart every three hundred miles. I put
> >>> two
> >>> aftermarket vent caps on each valve cover, connected to three quarter
> >>> inch
> >>> heater hose, just to keep the oil spray off my windshield. This is
> >>> nothing.
> >>>
> >>> Earle
> >>>
> >>> "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> >>> news:440AC0EE.D024A85C@***.net...
> >>>> That's no oil between oil changes as far as I'm concerned.
> >>>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> >>>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >>>>
> >>>> Coasty wrote:
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Check the back of the valve cover it is usually the problem and 1/2
> >>> quart in
> >>>> > 2k is not bad.
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Coasty
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >

 

You might be able to just put a wrench on the oil pan bolts. They can
back off easy and might just be finger loose in places.

You should top up the overflow and make sure the rad is topped up......

The super clean and green plug isn't a good thing usually..... How are
the rest of the plugs? If they are dirty, well, keep a close eye on the
coolant and oil levels...

That 'can' be a sign of head gasket issues, same as the seep along the
middle of the engine which might mean all the oil isn't just leaking
out...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Eric wrote:
>
> Ok, discovered the startup noise: My muffler had... rotated... I don't know
> how those clamps loosened, but they weren't hard to take off (and they've
> been on about 20k miles...). I twisted it a bit, and voila, no more
> pop/thump when I start it. It was smacking the bottom of the tub when I
> started.
>
> As for the oil drip, it looks like the oil pan gasket is just seeping all
> around. It is quite noticeable at the front. Nothing bad, but you can tell
> it will need changed soon enough. I also noticed... seepage?.. along the
> side of the block (passenger). Seems like it is too low to be coming from
> the valve cover gasket. Nothing serious, just can tell it isn't clean.
>
> I pulled just one plug (one of mine is a PITA to remove -- have to unbolt
> and rotate the A/C compressor to get it out) and it was burning really
> clean. Almost too clean. Something weird -- the very tip of the metal arc,
> just the front skinny edge, was dark green. Almost as if it had been
> painted. Very strange. I don't remember it being that color when I bought
> them (Autolite plugs). Now that I think about it, I swear I put in Champion
> truck plugs.... I must be losing my mind! Could that color be a sign of
> anything? Since we're talking green, I had my radiator flushed/filled (they
> used compressed air and water to flush it... was pretty neat to see all the
> junk fly out of that thing) at about 50k miles or so. Now my overflow tank
> is empty, but the coolant is full in the radiator. Sign of anything? I
> plan on getting another flush/fill in the spring.
>
> Thanks guys!
>
> Eric
> "Andy" <trailrider2008@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:D6JOf.839040$xm3.754731@attbi_s21...
> > No, don't use heavier oil. The drip you see is probably part of the 1/2
> > quart lost. But 1/2 quart between oil changes is not bad at all. You say
> > you have 66K, tuned at 45K. Your due for plugs again, right. That may
> > cure your start-up noise. Your engine should last many more miles and I
> > do not think you have any internal problems.
> >
> > Andy
> > 2001 TJ
> >
> >
> > "Eric" <gymrat@baileyscorner.com> wrote in message
> > news:tPHOf.5271$gm.5200@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> >> See, only one or two oil changes ago it wasn't using ANY. I had the same
> >> amount in it the day I drained it as when I filled it. So to me, this
> >> indicates a problem or a change in the situation. If it isn't a problem
> >> to be worried about, ok, but I still think it's a problem... my concern
> >> was that my increase in highway driving is actually burning the oil vs.
> >> just dripping it. A seal leak I can deal with, but something internal...
> >>
> >> I had a suggestion on another board to use heavier oil. I'm using 10W30
> >> right now. Keep in mind, I'm in south Texas, so it does get quite hot.
> >> Should I use something thicker?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Eric
> >>
> >> "Earle Horton" <NurseBustersNoSpam@msn.com> wrote in message
> >> news:440af23c$0$28692$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> >>> Yeah, my Suburban was blowing a quart every three hundred miles. I put
> >>> two
> >>> aftermarket vent caps on each valve cover, connected to three quarter
> >>> inch
> >>> heater hose, just to keep the oil spray off my windshield. This is
> >>> nothing.
> >>>
> >>> Earle
> >>>
> >>> "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@***.net> wrote in message
> >>> news:440AC0EE.D024A85C@***.net...
> >>>> That's no oil between oil changes as far as I'm concerned.
> >>>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> >>>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >>>>
> >>>> Coasty wrote:
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Check the back of the valve cover it is usually the problem and 1/2
> >>> quart in
> >>>> > 2k is not bad.
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Coasty
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >