I've been offered a 1998 4.0 Jeep Grand Cherokee running on LPG. It's done
160 k miles, it's in good condition and absolutely everything works. The missus loves it and I've been offered if for £500 (MOT until next April, tax til December).The only problem with it is that there is an engine rattle. I know without hearing it it's hard to diagnose, but if anyone can offer any pointers it would be helpful. The noise..
Is much louder when the engine is started from cold Goes quieter after about a minute of ticking over, but never totally disappears. Is quieter under load - for example, if I am in neutral and rev the engine to around 2500 rpm it rattles on the overrun as the revs drop. The noise is barely audible at tickover.
To me it sounds like a bottom end rattle or maybe a small end bearing. It's a harsher noise than tappets drained of oil and seemed to be coming from the lower end of the engine when we had a listen with the stethoscope thingy.
I *KNOW* whatever it is is probably going to be a big job to sort. I'm more worried about how long it will last like this - a week? a month? Years? It's not as though it'll get caned. If I can get six months out of it, then repair/replace the engine I'd be happy. We're moving house in a couple of weeks and it would be ideal for lugging stuff up and down the motorway cheaply. Cost me £22 in LPG to drive up to Manchester from Wycombe yesterday, cheaper than my diesel Xantia.
Thanks for any tips
Mike P