UOA report shows ABNORMAL findings

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 7:57 pm

What action do I need to take? Any thoughts?

Fluid Analysis Report:

Unit ID: 2000 Jeep Cherokee
Second ID: Inline 6
Unit Type: Unleaded Gasoline Engine
Application: Transportation
Unit Mileage: 171,673
Lubricant Mileage: 2,113
Lubricant: Amsoil XLT SAE Synthetic 10W30

OVERALL SEVERITY OF REPORT: (High end of ABNORMAL)

SUGGEST performing cooling system pressure check. Lubricant and filter change is suggested if not done at sampling time. Coolant indicators (Sodium, Potassium) are at a significant level. Flagged additive levels are different than what should be present for the lubricant that is identified for this unit. Please provide unit model number so we may compare data to the proper standards for this unit; Replace oil filter and top off system with fresh make-up oil if not done when oil sample was taken. Re-sample in 3,500 miles or 65 hours. Resample in 30 days.

Areas that are flagged:

CONTAMINANT METALS:
Sodium: 41 PPM (High end of NORMAL)
Potassium: 197 PPM (High end of ABNORMAL)

MULTI-SOURCE METALS:
Molybdenum: 8 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)
Manganese: 27 PPM (High end of NORMAL)
Boron: 41 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)

ADDITIVE METALS:
Magnesium: 584 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)
Zinc: 1063 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 8:11 pm

Sounds like the dreaded 303 head issue.

JustinP · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 8:18 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Sounds like the dreaded 303 head issue.

Are you refering to the wonderful crack in the 4.0l head, that every one seems to have??? myself included at one point in time.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 8:24 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Sounds like the dreaded 303 head issue.

That's what I was wondering........... Looks like I'll be giving Alabama Cylinder Head a call for a new HEAD with coil pack mounts. $495 bones

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 10:54 pm

yep. That solves the missing coolant issue :cry:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 11:28 pm

The UOA didn't flag any bearing metals, so I think I would be good with just a head swap. But man, that labor is going to be a killer. Any estimates on how much it’s going to cost if a Jeep Dealer does the work?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 11:48 pm

Is there anything that should be done while the head is off? New injectors, coils, engine parts, etc?

I gave the local mechanic a call. He suggested that I take the XJ to the Radiator shop to have a hydrocarbon test performed. This simple and easy test will show if I have a bad head gasket or cracked head.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue May 04, 2010 9:55 pm

Well, according to the hydrocarbon test, there were no signs of a bad head gasket or cracked head. The Radiator Shop said if it were leaking, it would show up. In one way, I’m happy. In another way, I’m still wondering why my UOA is flagged. I guess I will resample at 2,000 miles and see what she shows.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 11:08 pm

I called the mechanic today and told him that no hydrocarbons showed up in the test. He agreed that there’s probably a small crack in the head; however, he was confident that it wouldn’t be the head gasket. He said if the head gasket was bad, then hydrocarbons would definitely show up in the coolant. He suggested that I add alumiseal to the radiator and monitor. He said he built a racing motor one time that had the same problem. They added alumiseal and the motor lasted well over 4 years. I guess NASCAR started using alumiseal first.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 12:01 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I called the mechanic today and told him that no hydrocarbons showed up in the test. He agreed that there’s probably a small crack in the head; however, he was confident that it wouldn’t be the head gasket. He said if the head gasket was bad, then hydrocarbons would definitely show up in the coolant. He suggested that I add alumiseal to the radiator and monitor. He said he built a racing motor one time that had the same problem. They added alumiseal and the motor lasted well over 4 years. I guess NASCAR started using alumiseal first.

Small cracks grow large when at operating temps and alumiseal doesn't work well trying to plug a crack in cast iron.Just because there is no hydrocarbons in the coolant does not eliminate a cracked head,just not a crack in the combustion chamber is all that test shows.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 1:02 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

Small cracks grow large when at operating temps and alumiseal doesn't work well trying to plug a crack in cast iron.Just because there is no hydrocarbons in the coolant does not eliminate a cracked head,just not a crack in the combustion chamber is all that test shows.

I’m glad you chimed in because I was having a lonely discussion with myself. So what are your suggestions at this point? A friend of mine in California said this, "If you have an automatic, there may be a leak from the lower end of the radiator into the cooler and there may be some cross contamination." Any thoughts?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 11:32 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Small cracks grow large when at operating temps and alumiseal doesn't work well trying to plug a crack in cast iron.Just because there is no hydrocarbons in the coolant does not eliminate a cracked head,just not a crack in the combustion chamber is all that test shows.

I’m glad you chimed in because I was having a lonely discussion with myself. So what are your suggestions at this point? A friend of mine in California said this, "If you have an automatic, there may be a leak from the lower end of the radiator into the cooler and there may be some cross contamination." Any thoughts?

A leaky in-radiator trans cooler will not show coolant in the engine oil.You can have a leak down test preformed to eliminate the engine block and combustion chamber,if it passes that test then the only other option is to have the head pulled and magnafluxed to check for any cracks.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu May 06, 2010 12:56 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

A leaky in-radiator trans cooler will not show coolant in the engine oil.You can have a leak down test preformed to eliminate the engine block and combustion chamber,if it passes that test then the only other option is to have the head pulled and magnafluxed to check for any cracks.

At this point, I'm just going to drive her until she dies. I can get a Jasper remanufactured engine for $1927 with the 3 year, 100,000 mile warranty. That includes a new water pump, belts, hoses, etc. The installation kit is an additional $229.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Nov 21, 2010 4:07 pm

I pulled another engine oil sample today. I have 2,358 miles on the new sample. I’ll post up the new report when I receive it.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:38 pm

I got my report back. My coolant problem has been greatly reduced, but now I have a major fuel leak. :banghead:

Unit Mileage: 174,257
Lubricant Mileage: 2,358
Lubricant: Amsoil XLT SAE Synthetic 10W30

OVERALL SEVERITY OF REPORT: (Critical)

Check for source of FUEL LEAK (injectors, lines, etc.). Fuel is at a SIGNIFICANT LEVEL; Lubricant and filter change is suggested if not done at sampling time; FUEL DILUTION has caused viscosity to decrease SEVERELY; MODERATE POTASSIUM level could be a coolant indicator; Coolant leaks at this level will most likely not be detectable through normal diagnostics; Suggest MONITORING COOLANT LEVEL closely between samples; Magnesium is slightly high for this lubricant; Please provide until model number so we can compare data to the proper standards for this unit; Resample at half intervals.

CONTAMINANT METALS:
Sodium: 14 PPM (NORMAL)
Potassium: 45 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)

MULTI-SOURCE METALS:
Molybdenum: 36 PPM (NORMAL)
Manganese: 6 PPM (NORMAL)
Boron: 198 PPM (NORMAL)

ADDITIVE METALS:
Magnesium: 92 PPM (Low end of ABNORMAL)
Zinc: 757 PPM (NORMAL)

Fuel: 3.6% (High end of ABNORMAL)
Viscosity 9.0 (Critical)

kskj · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:32 pm

Hmmm....... Why would it change that much from last time. Not as much coolant? Did you change anything?

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:38 pm

kskj wrote:

Hmmm....... Why would it change that much from last time. Not as much coolant? Did you change anything?

I didn't change a thing. But now that I have coolant and fuel in the oil, I'm wondering if my problem could be a bad intake manifold gasket????? I was advised by one of my Amsoil guru friends to run a 15W40 diesel oil that would hold up to fuel dilution until I get this thing fixed or replace the motor. I hate to sink too much money into a high mileage engine. If I knew it was injectors, then I would replace injectors and call it a day. But who knows...... :banghead:

rokee1998 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 9:54 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

kskj wrote:

Hmmm....... Why would it change that much from last time. Not as much coolant? Did you change anything?

I didn't change a thing. But now that I have coolant and fuel in the fuel, I'm wondering if my problem could be a bad intake manifold gasket????? I was advised by one of my Amsoil guru friends to run a 15W40 diesel oil that would hold up to fuel dilution until I get this thing fixed or replace the motor. I hate to sink too much money into a high mileage engine. If I knew it was injectors, then I would replace injectors and call it a day. But who knows...... :banghead:

Rhett, when 1996XJ did my motor swap last May, we went with a POWERTORQUE engine, every part was brand new Sealed power with a Re-Manned 96 bock, Scott says to stay away from the 97 block, there were issues that year, along with the head, I had to replace water pump to satisfy the warranty. thew Powertorque cost me just over 1600 out the door, you can purchase them at O'Reily's 3 yr, unlimited mileage warranty.

I have been very happy with this new HO.

Dustin

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:44 pm

rokee1998 wrote:

Rhett, when 1996XJ did my motor swap last May, we went with a POWERTORQUE engine, every part was brand new Sealed power with a Re-Manned 96 bock, Scott says to stay away from the 97 block, there were issues that year, along with the head, I had to replace water pump to satisfy the warranty. thew Powertorque cost me just over 1600 out the door, you can purchase them at O'Reily's 3 yr, unlimited mileage warranty.

I have been very happy with this new HO.

Yeah, it's time to save for a new motor and milk this one for as long as I can. :dead:

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:01 am

Just go have the block bored and stroked and swap the heads to a 4.2L head. More power and torque might be a touch more exspensive but my buddy is extremely happy with his. And if you know a buddy who owns his own shop or the local technical school automotive teacher you could get it for cheaper.

UOA report shows ABNORMAL findings

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