High Mileage Maintenance

[EJD]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if there is any sort of High Mileage Maintenance recommendations by anyone for TJ's over 150k?

Things to look out for or things that may need cleaning or replacing at this age. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chris]

First thing I would do is a compression test just to see where you stand. The compression should be good (unless someone beat the piss out of your engine).

At that mileage though I would no doubt be doing a cooling system overhaul (new waterpump, hoses, radiator, etc.).

In addition to that I would also check out the rear main seal and make sure it isn't leaking, as well as any other gaskets that may be leaking oil visibly.

150k miles on stock steering / suspension components definitely means it's time to replace all of that stuff (in my book).

And last but not least, I'd be changing out all the fluids (diffs, transfer case and transmission).

 

[EJD]

Good to know.

I know when I bought it the last thing that was done, was they installed a new radiator, so thats good to go. Not sure about the pump and hoses.

I'll have to see whats involved in changing out those fluids, as I have never done any of this stuff before. I'de definitely like to replace some suspension components soon.

I'de like this TJ to stay around for a little while!

PS: Whats involved in the compression test?

 

[Chris]

Here ya go:



You need a tool like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R5CPAQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It's easy to do. To be honest with you though, I think you can skip it. Your compression should be just fine. It it wasn't you'd be having issues.

 

[StG58]

Change fluids, maintain the brakes, do a tuneup once in awhile... TJ's aren't that maintenance intensive. If something starts going bad, you'll know before it gets out of hand.

 

[Andy5150]

Change coolant, and thermostat, unless you're sure it was recently done. I bought my 03 in 2011 with 70000 miles and in 2015 at 112000 miles, the freeze plug on the back of the cylinder head developed a leak. After just 2 months after replacing the clutch, I had to pull it all apart again to get to the freeze plug. I was told that the hoat antifreeze becomes corrosive if it's left in too long. The freeze plug had a pin hole in it, but was otherwise intacked. Change the coolant.

 

[EJD]

Can I tell ya, one thing i've noticed since i've bought my TJ is that my oil pressure gauge reads low psi in my instrument cluster. I was reading the manual for the TJ and it said something like, continuous low readings on the oil pressure gauge usually means something may be failing. But then it also says it all depends on the climate you live in and the type of oil your running...so i'm not sure what to make of that really. All I know is it just seems lower than normal and it always makes me feel like something isn't quite right and I wish I knew where to begin. I'll do some research!

 

[Chris]

Can I tell ya, one thing i've noticed since i've bought my TJ is that my oil pressure gauge reads low psi in my instrument cluster. I was reading the manual for the TJ and it said something like, continuous low readings on the oil pressure gauge usually means something may be failing. But then it also says it all depends on the climate you live in and the type of oil your running...so i'm not sure what to make of that really. All I know is it just seems lower than normal and it always makes me feel like something isn't quite right and I wish I knew where to begin. I'll do some research!

Those gauges are pretty notorious for being inaccurate. Don't get to caught up on that gauge, trust me.

If you want to know your true oil pressure readings you'd need to invest in a good oil pressure gauge, something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OUZBZ0/?tag=wranglerorg-20