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Car Help! Please...

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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
I drive a '96 Jeep Cherokee Classic. 115k miles on it, gets regular maintenance, only "major issue" I have had with it was a fuel pump about 6 years ago.

Last night I was driving on the highway and noticed that my oil pressure gauge was topping out if I was over 2k RPMs. I didnt have much of a choice but to keep driving and so I nursed her back home. The car never overheated or anything like that.

Checked under the hood and there is oil on the top, side, and under the engine block. I do not know much of anything about cars, but this sounds like it could be a gasket/seals or worse.

Anybody have any ideas as to what this could be and potential costs to fix it? ++++k for any help.
Feb 25 2011 10:53AM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
what does your coolant look like? is there oil in it? if its cold out it may not overheat. possible head gasket? faulty gauge? how much oil is in the motor?
Feb 25 2011 10:57AM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
I didn't think to look at the coolant (Will do on my lunch break from work). I checked the oil last night and it was fine. I have had some issues with the gauge (and that was my first thought) but when I checked under the hood there was oil all over the engine block and you could smell it burning up.

If you guys need any more info. I will get it to you. The reason I don't just take it in right away is because it really isnt worth all that much and I am planning on getting a new car this spring/summer (maybe a bit earlier now).
Feb 25 2011 11:02AM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
It sounds like a gasket. Oil doesnt just magically find its way to the outside of your block by accident.
Feb 25 2011 11:09AM
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midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
you could have a bad gauge and a leaky valve cover gasket(not a big deal at all) ive got a 4.0l with 209k on it and its been leaking there for a long time my mechanic says no biggie but you can easily replace them in ur garage with autozone parts. also is did the check engine light come on? if it did go to autozone and have them scan it.
Feb 25 2011 11:13AM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
Yeah, that is kind of what I figured. Like I said I am not too handy around cars.

Any idea for an approximate cost?

As a fellow Iowan, I appreciate the help :)
Feb 25 2011 11:14AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304

sounds like a definite head gasket

Ask the guys on jeep forum for the best answer..theyre wicked smart

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/

Feb 25 2011 11:15AM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
I remember seeing that thread, but I cant remember his name either. I search-barred it and cant come up with anything.

Thanks for all the help...truly appreciated.
Feb 25 2011 11:20AM
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Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
as everyone has stated, your head gasket is shot. The quickest way to confirm this (aside from the fact that you have oil on the outside of your block around the head) is to check your oil. It's probably a milky color.

You need to not drive your vehicle at this point. When coolant and oil mix together it makes one hell of a sludge. It can be hard enough to get out that you have to break down the entire motor.

Take it to a shop before you do any more damage.
Feb 25 2011 11:21AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304

my xj blew its head gasket (they 4.0 is pretty notorious for doign that so dont feel like it was your fault) and had it repaired for just over $800 from a mechanic that my old man has used for almost 30 years so he doesnt charge anything over on parts and his labor is a little cheaper

if you dont have a mechanic like that you should look at about 1000-1100..if you go to a dealer you could easily be charged 1500+

Feb 25 2011 11:28AM
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 428
I know exactly what it is.


It's your thermostat, happened to my jeep same year. Get it fixed before it makes your rear seal go out.
Feb 25 2011 11:33AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304

no overheating issues + no antifreeze leak = not the thermostat

it's a bad headgasket..and just liek barefootin said just check the oil on your dipstick and that will confirm it

Feb 25 2011 11:46AM
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Ski_the_east01
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 2,304

Also, the thermostat has no bearing on whether or not a rear main seal with leak

sounds like you got ripped off by a mechanic

Feb 25 2011 11:56AM
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beezey
Posts: 9027 - Karma: 428
Oh i thought you read you almost over heated. Mine was doing that for a more than few days, then it overheated terribly and then my rear seal busted and caused a crazy leak, and no it was a family friend and hes legit. I just put two and two together, iunno ima chick
Feb 25 2011 12:02PM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
Well, it sounds like there is an all around agreement as to what this is.......FML!!!

Truly appreciate all the answers. Now I just gotta figure out what I am going to do with the car.

On a side-note:

For Sale-1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic-MINT CONDITION!!!
$2000/OBO PM if interested.
Feb 25 2011 12:18PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
ckeck oil cap if you havent, then look around the valve pan (tin cover on top of engine). if thats whats leaking its a cheap fix. check coolant, if there is oil in coolant or if youre burnin oil ( blue smoke out tail pipe) then you blew a head gasket. if its that, not so lucky. et
Feb 25 2011 12:38PM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
I just rechecked the oil and coolant and both look alright (to me, a very novice observer). Looks like I just need to get somebody who knows what they are doing to check it out.
Feb 25 2011 2:20PM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
I just rechecked the oil and coolant and both look alright (to me, a very novice observer). Looks like I just need to get somebody who knows what they are doing to check it out.
Feb 25 2011 2:20PM
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2BWise
Posts: 53 - Karma: 11
It sounds as though its pressurizing the crankcase, which is why oil would spewing out of everywhere.  Any smoke coming out the exhaust?  If there's whitish/blue smoke oil is getting into the cylinders, that could be a headgasket.  Even if there is no "milkshake" in the sump. 

Could be that the crankcase breather is blocked and oil is blowing past the rings and valve stem seals. 

Could be that the oil pressure relief valve has failed.
Feb 25 2011 2:40PM
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Bobbum~Man
Posts: 228 - Karma: 10
just a quick update....

ended up being a valve cover and pressure sensor. Had some friends look at it for me and they had it fixed in no time and cost less than $100.00.

Thanks again to all those that helped me out with this.
Feb 28 2011 4:06PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
most likely head gasket, check the valves too when you at it, may have to re mill the head.
Feb 28 2011 4:43PM
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