Hi Scotty,
I have an 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport. 2WD, straight 6, manual transmission with 219,000 miles. It’s been well maintained for the most part. However, it has had an significant engine oil leak for the past six months.
its starting to have difficulties turning over. And when it does it shudders hard and shakes the whole vehicle! Although after driving it around for a bit it turns over smoothly.
It has a newer starter and seemingly solid motor mounts.
I have an appointment with a shop next Monday.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
P.S. I replaced the transmission with a rebuilt 3 years ago.
@bigfootberg
Does the engine run well after it starts?
Failing engine often makes a lot of racket.
Losing power and surging is another bad sign.
Any coolant in the oil or frothy brown on the inside of the oil cap?
Where was it leaking? The oil filter adapter seals commonly give out on those engines and the oil sprays out, eventually damaging the front suspension bushings. The oil pressure senders can leak as well. Next on the list of suspects would probably be the rear main seal but with standard trans it would be soaking the clutch if leaking there.
Is the engine making any bottom-end noises like a rod knock? Have you done a compression test? If you remove plugs and spin the engine with a wrench on vibration damper bolt, does it turn smoothly, or does it bind up? What do the plugs look like, normal, burned, soaked with oil? When you say it shudders does it do that while cranking or is the engine maybe trying to fire up on just a one or two cylinders?
