Considering buying a TJ with flashing CEL

[GatorGrad17.18]

Hello,

I am currently looking at an 05 Tj, Auto w/ 117k miles. Car is located in FL. Cold A/C - works on high only, needs new tires yesterday. 4x4 works. Minor cosmetic damage from a tree limb falling on the hood. Hard doors, soft top. $5500.

Frame and body look really good, very light surface rust in a few places but I’ve been under it for about 30 mins, I beat on it, checked inside the drain holes, looks really clean.

My concerns from least to greatest are:

- Looks like the rear main gasket is decently leaking (also sounds like they have been adding oil and monitoring it to avoid fixing), not a huge deal (not sure I would bother with it at this point either)

- While test driving the check engine light came on. It started out flashing and then went solid. I stopped, shut it down, restarted and nothing. About 20 seconds later it started flashing again and then went solid. I returned to the house, and read the codes, got the following:
- P0302 Cylinder Misfire Fault (#2)
- P0456 EVAP Sys Leak

So I’ve resided to going to a Jeep shop in town to have them do a pre-purchase inspection. I have never gone this route before. I don’t know the shop, but they have decent reviews online and we’re recommended in a Jeep FB group. Is this a safe call? I know that a cylinder misfire can be pretty bad (or it could be something small like a bad spark plug). Should I steer clear from this all together? I don’t know how long the lights been on (it’s their daily driver and they claim it just came on yesterday, albeit no way to check that). Do those to codes together mean anything of significance? Is there anything I should make sure the mechanic keys in on?

Thanks!

 

[Rubicon John]

At the least, it’s a bad spark plug. At the most, that cylinder has no compression.

The evap leak is a separate issue. Could be a gas cap or a brittle vent line, etc.

 

[Chris]

Rear main seal is an easy fix, see this thread: Rear Main Seal Replacement (4.0)

Those codes are easy to fix most likely. The evap code is probably a simple leak, and the misfire could be a number of things, but is still likely something easy to fix.

See what the shop tells you with the PPI. They will give you a good analysis, compression numbers, etc.

The main thing is going to be compression numbers, condition of the frame, and how it drives. Those codes are minor.

 

[RMETeeJay]

Flashing is bad and means pull over and kill the engine ASAP. Under what driving conditions did it begin flashing?

I think a pre-purchase inspection by a Jeep specialist is a good call. Ask the shop to check if the OPDA has been replaced.

 

[CodaMan]

The misfire could be anything for a bad spark plug to low compression. Low compression could be anything from a bad valve spring to the engine needing a rebuild. You just won't know until you dive into it.

 

[GatorGrad17.18]

Flashing is bad and means pull over and kill the engine ASAP. Under what driving conditions did it begin flashing?

I think a pre-purchase inspection by a Jeep specialist is a good call. Ask the shop to check if the OPDA has been replaced.

Thanks! I will check the vin and see if it was on the list/check with the mechanic about getting it changed out.

 

[GatorGrad17.18]

Flashing is bad and means pull over and kill the engine ASAP. Under what driving conditions did it begin flashing?

I think a pre-purchase inspection by a Jeep specialist is a good call. Ask the shop to check if the OPDA has been replaced.

I was driving on the road mostly. I had pulled off on to the grass median to put it in 4 wheel drive when I first noticed it, but it could have been blinking before then. The whole test drive was only about 10 minutes, 5 or 6 minutes in a saw the flashing light -googled it and drove it back. I don’t know that engaging the 4x4 was the trigger - the owner says that they had noticed it that day as well prior to us meeting up. But when I checked the dash to see if the 4WD light came on - the CEL was flashing.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

A flashing CEL usually means something is bad enough to damage the catalytic converter, like the fuel mixture is too rich... often caused by a bad upstream O2 sensor. The RMS leak might be nothing more than the previous owner ran synthetic oil which is notorious for causing RMS leaks. That leak can often be cured by doing nothing more than switching the oil to a conventional high mileage oil like Mobil Super which contains extra seal conditioners.

 

[GatorGrad17.18]

A flashing CEL usually means something is bad enough to damage the catalytic converter, like the fuel mixture is too rich... often caused by a bad upstream O2 sensor. The RMS leak might be nothing more than the previous owner ran synthetic oil which is notorious for causing RMS leaks. That leak can often be cured by doing nothing more than switching the oil to a conventional high mileage oil like Mobil Super which contains extra seal conditioners.

Thanks! I had heard that the O2 sensor may be an issue - first I had heard of the oil but makes sense. If I can convince them to drive it over to the shop (it’s about 1.5 miles away) then hopefully I’ll be able to report back by the end of the week with the PPI report. I’m crossing my fingers but trying to stay on guard because 5.5k for a 2005 sub 120k mile Jeep in my area is extremely rare, especially a 6 banger sport. Hoping I’m just getting lucky and not a lemon.

 

[RMETeeJay]

No doubt it could be a great deal, hope it works out for you! Let us know what the shop finds.

 

[toximus]

Even if you can't figure out the exact part needing repair now doesn't mean it's a bad buy. If everything else checks out and you have some cash set aside to fix them problem and you're not upset by that go for it!

 

[GatorGrad17.18]

Well I got the report yesterday it is as follows. Some of the stuff I was expecting - some of it was news.

"OBD CODE CHECK:
CYLINDER #2 MISFIRE, STORED CODE, NOT ACTIVE, REQUIRES FURTHER INSPECTION TO
DETERMINE CAUSE.
EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK (GASCAP?)
-CODES CLEARED

INSPECTION FINDINGS:
HEATER CORE LEAK, PASSENGER FLOOR WET, COOLANT LEVEL LOW, NO GLYCOL,
WATER ONLY IN RADIATOR (REQUIRES ENTIRE DASH REMOVAL, AIRBOX REMOVAL, A/C
SYSTEM TO BE DISCHARGED/RECHARGED)
WHIOLE BOTTOM END OF JEEP IS SATURATED WITH FLUIDS. LEAKS WHEN SITTING.
VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK
OIL PAN LEAK
LOW OIL LEVEL, OIL CHANGE RECOMMENDED
DIFFERENTIAL COVER LEAK, REAR AXLE
FRONT AND REAR PINION SEALS LEAKING AT DIFFERENTIALS
DIFFERENTIALS NEED SERVICE, GEAR OIL CHANGE
TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET MAJOR LEAK
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES AT RADIATOR LEAKING, REQUIRE REPLACEMENT
TRANSMISSSION SHOULD BE SERVICED/FILTER CHANGE
LEFT REAR BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER LEAKING (BOTH SIDES SHOULD BE REPLACED)
BRAKE SYSTEM BLEED REQUIRED AFTER REPLACEMENT
STEERING STABILIZER FAILED, LEAKING, NO PRESSURE, REPLACE.
FRONT SWAY BAR END LINKS WORN OUT, REPLACE.
SHOCKS ARE OEM/ORIGINAL, RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT
BALL JOINTS EXHIBIT WEAR, NOTHING CRITICAL, BUT WILL GET WORSE WITH TIME
TIRES ARE IN POOR CONDITION BUT HOLD AIR.

COSMETIC/BODY:
REAR BUMPER DAMAGED
RIGHT MIRROR CRACKED
WINDSHIELD HAS 2 “BULLSEYES”
REAR VIEW MIRROR MISSING
WIPERS NEED REPLACEMENT
DOOR STRAP BROKEN, DRIVERS
ARM REST CRACKED
TAILGATE BAR MISSING, REAR PANEL CANNOT BE SECURED FOR WEATHER
HOOD BUMPER AND FOOTMAN LOOP MISSING OFF OF HOOD
PAINT DAMAGE TO HOOD AND COWL AREA

DURING THE COURSE OF MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF ABOVE LISTED ITEMS, OTHER
PROBLEMS MAY BE FOUND.
ALL LIGHT AND SAFETY ITEMS CHECK GOOD
ENGINE PERFORMS WELL FOR MILAGE AND MAINTENANCE ISSUES

ESTIMATED APPROXIMATE COST TO REPAIR THE MECHANICAL ISSUES ARE
APPROXIMATELY $2200.00"

Thoughts? With a body damage repairs he said around 2800. Looks like total would be 8300 if I did nothing myself and had no other problems.

 

[toximus]

Depends...

Idk how much you paid for that inspection but it sounds like you got your money's worth and found somebody who's familiar with Jeeps. He may be biased if he's looking for work but I'd consider asking him if he thinks it's worth buying for that price.

Without seeing pictures of the overall condition (which I have doubts of) I'd pass for $8300. My guess if that you'll find more problems or cosmetic issues you want fixed in time.

If it seems like something you want and don't mind opening a can of worms, I'd talk the seller down $2000 and show them the estimates.

 

[Fughuert]

5500 for a tj and it has a flashing CEL?

Funny joke

 

[CodaMan]

I would look for another one if you're considering $8,300 for that one you should be able to find something much better.