i got my dirty paws on a 88 comanche with 158 000 km on it for 850$ cdn last july i thought i had the better part of the deal he was hasking for 1200$cdn

in november i got on the highway and it started knocking and smoking then it died on me at 110km/h and i towed it home

i dont have the cash to get it to the garage so i was wondering if someone could help me

i started it twice and it sounded like a machine gun its been sitting in my appartment's parking since then.

i hope someone will help me with it 'cause it's ny first car, truck, JEEP ever so i need help  

Without looking at it or hearing it it sounds like it could be one of two things.

Does the noise sound like its coming from the top or bottom of the motor?

First it could be a bad rod bearing. Which isn't a teribly difficult fix, if you caught it in time. This would be a bottom end knock, like something was trying to get out of the oil pan.

Second, it could be something in the valve train. Either oil is not getting up to the head, stuck lifters, warped valves, bad cam, any number of things. This would also sound like a machine gun.

Also what color was it smoking and from where?

There are definatly a lot of variables here.  

first for the smoke i couldnt tell because it was dark outside

second i dont really know because now i have another problem

i dont have access to the engine compartment anymore and i dont know how to open it without having to get a new hood

if you could help me with tips on how to open the hood i could hear where the sound comes from

if its a rod bearing can it be done with the engine still in my truck or do i have to take it out? 'cause i dont have a garage i'll have to work in my appartment parking and if it's the cam or the other things can it too be done in the truck?

or could it be caused by oil starvation or having too much oil in it because my oil gauge did work right
one try it would be down a quart try #2 it would be good try # 3 it would be too high and it would go on like this every time i checked the oil.

thanks in advance  

Hood, not real sure besides tracing the cable and hoping it broke somewhere you can get to it. I haven't had to do this before...yet.

When you get a chance to see the smoke in the day light let us know the color, then I can tell what it is that is burning.

Rod bearing can be done with the engine in the Jeep. You just have to drop the oil pan and work from underneath. Cam and head are also both do able in the Jeep. Though they are all pretty big jobs to begin with.

The main culprit may be oil starvation. This would be more a result of a blocked oil passage or bad pump than being low a quart or two. The engine can run on only 4 quarts of oil just fine, its not ideal, but it can.  

i was finnaly able to open the hood but i had to take all the front end apart in minus 10 degrees weather

i started it boosting it and i bangs louder than i remembered and the smoke is greyish

should i consider an engine block swap i found one for lest than 300$canadian

if i swap is it hard??

thanks  

Sounds like some motor work is going be nesisary.

You may not need a new long block, but possibly a rebuild depending on how much damage is done.

I would first drop the oil pan. See what is in the oil, if there is any water in it, check the bearings for play and see if any of them are shot. Then I would pull the head, check the cylanders, pistons, valves and such. If all is well replace gaskets, clean everything out and see what happens then go from there.

If it is running, but knocking, it may just be salvagable. Though no mater what it is going to be some work.

Keep us informed of what happens!  

friday i made it go at the mechanics and he told me a rod could be broken and it might be cheaper to replace the block

thanks for your advice

if u got anymore please answer  

Wait... if the engine runs, you don't have a  broken rod. Rod bearing probably, but not rod.

And rod bearings can be fixed by droping the oil pan.

I would take it someplace else and get a second opinion.  

how can i see it myself if its the bearing
i know drop the oil pan but how can i know that theres a bad bearing

or should i simply sell for scrap and buy another jeep. if so i only have 2000$ what would u suggest for a jeep
thanks  

You will be able to feel/see the play in the bad rod at the bearing. Go grab yourself a manual, or browse it at the local parts store.

If you would rather buy a new one, I would sell this one whole, I'm sure somebody will want it and know how to fix it.

or

Get this engine a FULL rebuild. Top and Botom end. Find a good mechanic, pull it yourself (if you can) and you should be able to have it done rather inexpensivly. (couple grand MAX)

or

If you want to buy a new one, look for an 89+ Cherokee. My friend got one for 2grand, an 89 4.0 5speed, and it is the most reliable vehicle any of us own... lol  

so i finaly gave up the truck cost me only 850$ canadian so not a really big loss...i think

now i left and re-entered the jeep club. i bought myself a 1999gmc jimmy 2dr 4x4 and a 1991 4.0l H.O. 4x4 long bed comanche for trail machine

so...i guess i still have that jeep thing and my girlfrined doesnt understand but i hope someone does

thanks for all the help and u guys make one *** of a great mag