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Lots of maintenance done on my LJ

2K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  MountaineerTom 
#1 ·
Over the last couple weeks a friend and I got several things completed on my Jeep. He's more like a brother than a friend and actually did some of the work for me when I had to work. Whoever came up with the Acetone/ATF brew was a genius. Exhaust manifold to cats bolts wouldn't budge after soaking with PB Blaster the day before. After seeing it mentioned here, tried 50/50 Acetone/ATF overnight. The bolts came out like they were not even tight. : )


New Fel-Pro oil pan gasket
New Fel-Pro valve cover gasket
New valve cover grommets and elbows
Cleaned TB and IAC valve and new TB gasket
Drain/Flush/Refill coolant
New radiator and heater hoses
New T-stat
New radiator
New water pump
New front brake pads and rotors

And a new Odyssey battery.


Now we're all ready to take it on our trip to the Outer Banks in a couple weeks. : )
 
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#4 ·
Was planning on RMS, thinking it was my source of my leak. No signs of it leaking at all. After seeing the condition of the oil pan gasket, I knew that's where I was leaking. It looked ripped/deteriorated, so I decided I wasn't going to tear into something that wasn't leaking.

98,000 miles. Radiator and water appeared to be original, or at least replaced by Mopar replacements. Radiator had a leak and water pump started leaking from the weep hole after everything was done.
 
#14 ·
I would have replaced it anyways. 98k is probably exceeding the average for them to leak (former Jeep tech here). It's just a matter of time, and you will have to tear that all apart again....unless it was done by previous owner. But that seems unlikely, given your description of the oil pan seal.
 
#6 ·
Just to play the "me too!" game, here's my replacement parts list so far;
new blower motor resistor
new A/C control unit
new water pump
2 radiators
new coolant piping
new heater core
new accumulator
2 sets of sway bar links
new thermostat
new ball joints
new steering linkage and panhard bar
2 OPDAs
new brake calipers front and rear
2 belts, and about to be a third

Seems like a lot, but all my cooling woes were the previous owner, who decided tap water would be a good replacement fluid for distilled. My water pump flat out failed and would pour coolant as soon as you would shut off the engine. And when the dealership serviced the A/C before I bought the Jeep, they left a gasket off the high side of the accumulator at the pipe connection. Much like you, I'm tackling the engine leaks next.

I still need to replace my blower motor, throwout bearing, rear sway links and panhard bar (accident where a car went under my rear tire and shifted the rear end), and all 16 control arm bushings.

Anytime you see a 2 in front of something, it's because I bought the cheapest part available just to keep the vehicle running. I'm learning the hard way to stop doing that :facepalm:
 
#7 ·
Thinking about doing a coolant flush on my LJ.

What is more beneficial money wise, concentrated coolant and then mix it with distilled water or buy premixed?

The Jeep takes 9.9 liters, if I buy a gallon of it thats 3.78L, well I'm going to time that buy 2 as I'll mix it with distilled water so that gives me 7.56.. which still makes me 2L short.. hate to buy another full gallon jug just cause of that.
 
#8 ·
I just bought Zerex G-05 50/50 for convienence. I don't mind having extra on hand.

Between June (when I bought it) and December of last year, I changed the plugs, drained/refilled both axles and transfer case, changed transmission fluid and filter and new air filter.

I need a new blower motor too. Squeals when I turn. LOL.
 
#11 ·
I have a PCM for my 2005 LJ that it turns out I don't need, sigh.

I've lost track of all the repairs over the last year. New starter, new alternator, several new sensors to try (and fail) to tackle a stalling issue, new track bar, new soft top. Need to replace my airbag control module, it was preventing reliable bus communications.

Seems like 120k miles was when everything started falling apart.
 
#12 ·
Honestly, once a vehicle hits anywhere from 70k to 90k, that's when a lot of the problems start to occur. Most suspensions aren't meant to last more than 70k, most brakes will probably need to be replaced around 60k if you don't keep up with lubrication and bleeding...like me
 
#13 ·
I bought 3 jugs.

I did the belt, plugs and air filter a few months back.

I had a slight stumble/hesitation while idling every now and then. Since I cleaned the throttle body and IAC valve, I haven't experienced it yet. I used the CRC throttle body cleaner and a toothbrush and rags.
 
#16 ·
What'd you guys use for radiator and water pump parts? I know everyone recommends Mopar but I can't find Mopar stuff for less than 4X the going rate for normal replacement parts and at the current US to CAN exchange rate it makes things very expensive. I've always used non-oem replacement radiators etc on my other vehicles with no issues. I'm at 65K miles now on my 03 and the OEM radiator is weeping occasionally around the end tank crimp areas. I'm going to completely replace the cooling system parts when I do dive into the job.
 
#19 ·
I used a radiator and water pump from Advance Auto Parts. Yeah, it's not OEM stuff. I've used their radiators and water pumps on a few other vehicles and never had a problem. I know that don't mean I won't have a problem with this one. I'm fine with my choice. : )


I ordered that blower motor yesterday too. Tired of the squeaking from the bearing.
 
#17 ·
This makes me feel better. This is what I've done since last sept after buying my Jeep.

$215 New Soft top 10/01/2016, 91000
$25 Blower motor fan resistor 10/15/2016, 91200
$125 Front wheel hub bearings 11/16/2016, 91879
$25 Front axle u-joints 11/16/2016, 91879
$235 labor for two above
$110 OPDA oil pump drive assembly 11/30/2016, 92000
$26 Rear diff fluid+LS additive 12/31/2016, 92500
$31 Manual trans fluid change 1/16/2017, 94300
$20 Transfer case fluid change 1/16/2017, 94300
$16 Front diff fluid change 1/16/2017, 94300
$17 Fog lamp relay 1/16/2017, 94300
$32 Sylvania headlights 1/16/2017, 94300
$27 Rear parking brake shoes/parts kit 1/17/2017, 94350
$19 Rear brake pads 1/17/2017, 94350
$64 Rear brake rotors 1/17/2017, 94350
$3 Clean AICV & throttle body 1/18/2017, 94350
$8 Split fire spark plugs 1/19/2017, 94350
$135 Replace Oil pan w/Renu coating 1/21/2017, 94437
$35 Oil-filter change Rotella semi syn 1/21/2017, 94437
$327 All three cats (Pacesetter) 1/21/2017, 94437
$229 Pacesetter cat back exhaust 1/21/2017, 94437
$28 Throttle position sensor 1/24/2017, 94437
$681.84 4 BFG All terrain KO2 32x11.5R15 1/23/2017, 94437
$151.96 4 15x8 black 4.5 BS 1/23/2017, 94437
$49.95 Mount & Balance ^^ 1/23/2017, 94437
$12 Brake light switch 1/28/2017, 94437
$40 Rear drive shaft u-joints 1/30/2017, 94458
$8 Brake light dash LED 1/31/2017, 94438
$50 Front drive shaft u-joints 2/1/2107, 94450
$9 Air filter 2/5/2017, 94540
$60 6 cans of Fluid Film 2/7/2017, 94540
$200 Used windshield frame w/glass 2/9/2017, 94550
------------------------
$3013.75
 
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