Help I screwed something up 1193 GCL 5.2Lt

[dwhims]

First of all I have an oil leak the whole bottom of engine and drive train along with the front end were covered in oil. I sprayed on some degreaser and proceded to power wash the oil off. When I was done I started the engine it was running but it had a mis. I steped on the gas it back-fired and now it won't start. I left it sit in the sun all day. but it still won't start.
the check engine light comes on when I turn the ignition on but it goes out along with the air bag and abs and seat belt lights.
I was thinking of looking in the distributor cap for moisture but how in the world do you work on that thing .. any one have an Idea ?? thanks Dave

[fredjacksonsan]

Dave, need a bit more description of what is happening. But based on what you've said, I'm thinking that the Jeep will still crank.

I'm thinking head gasket maybe; for the backyard mechanic method of checking it, take off the radiator cap, and crank it over. If water pulses out of the radiator, kind of in spurts, (like every time a piston goes into compression, the compression goes out the radiator) then it's the head gasket, and you'll just need to see which side (or just replace both).

You may also have a bad seal on the front of the engine, though it's difficult to tell from your description.

As far as the cap/rotor, I don't understand what you mean by "how do you work on it"...can you not get to it, or what? On the 318 (5.2L) it's near the firewall on the back side of the engine. It may take some reaching, but it's easy to work with once you get back there.


Did the oil leak happen suddenly after some event, like off roading or something?

[dwhims]

Yes the jeep still cranks Great Just will not start! And the distributor is actuall so far back on the firewall it is underneath it. I figured if I got all the oil off the engine and started it I could see where it was comming from. I am concerned that I messed up the computer and it is only a month old ! But the security sytem is working fine as are the other dash lights. I was kinda hoping some one could tell me a way to rule out the computer before I dug into the distributor.

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Dave, need a bit more description of what is happening. But based on what you've said, I'm thinking that the Jeep will still crank.

I'm thinking head gasket maybe; for the backyard mechanic method of checking it, take off the radiator cap, and crank it over. If water pulses out of the radiator, kind of in spurts, (like every time a piston goes into compression, the compression goes out the radiator) then it's the head gasket, and you'll just need to see which side (or just replace both).

You may also have a bad seal on the front of the engine, though it's difficult to tell from your description.

As far as the cap/rotor, I don't understand what you mean by "how do you work on it"...can you not get to it, or what? On the 318 (5.2L) it's near the firewall on the back side of the engine. It may take some reaching, but it's easy to work with once you get back there.


Did the oil leak happen suddenly after some event, like off roading or something?

[fredjacksonsan]

Well from your description the electronics are not the problem.....sounds like it's time to change the cap and rotor. Once you get that done, see if it'll start.

Also, did you do the head gasket check I detailed?