QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1983 jeep Cj5, i recently replaced the plastic valve cover with an alluminum one. I have noticed the oil has a lot yellowy stuff in it, and its all thtough the air cleaner tubes coming out of valve cover. i had the headgasket pressure cheked, its fine. the auto shop told me it is possibly because of the metal valve cover, they said condensation is gathering on te metal when engine cools, and mixes with oil. i asked a jeep expert at 4wd.com, he said that he never heard of that.what do u think i should do? Plus not all of my pushrods are shooting oil, only one shoots it strongly, how can i clean them. my engine is an inline 6 258 4.2liter, with only 90000 miles. my last question is about carbs. i have the bbd carter carb, and my jeep is hard to start, nearly impossible in winter, what carb do u think would be best, whenever i look online for carbs it always says for off road use only, my jeep is stock, and more of a cruiser, i dont go rough with it.
ANSWER: 1) I don't think the aluminum cover is the cause. It does sound like coolant is getting into the oil, though. I would change the oil after adding a can of crankcase flush. I would also have the radiator pressure tested when the engine is cold and when it is hot. They basically use a special hand pump to pressurize the cooling system. If the pressure drops, there's a leak.
2) You can remove the push rods for cleaning by removing the rocker arms. Be careful when removing and installing the rocker arm bridges that you loosened each bolt a little at a time to prevent them from breaking.
3) You can buy a Holley two barrel (350 cfm) carb and install a base adapter. If you don't have anyone that knows how to work on the Carter BBD, it might be the way to go.
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QUESTION: just wondering why i would need to pressure test the radiator, i didnt thing coolant could leak from that into oil. plus the auto shop told me coolant is not mixing with the oil because there is no yellow stuff on the dip stick. its only caked on inner top of valve cover and in tubes. but the auto shop did seem clueless. the push rods will slide right out? dont have to take engine head off ot anything. and my BBD carb works great when the engien is warm, starting is the real killer, this holley will help it start better? i think i should get one with electric choke, do thsoe work good? thanks
AnswerPressure testing the radiator would confirm a leaking head gasket, it's the best way to check it.
I would add a can of engine crankcase flush to help clean the sludge.
If you want to remove the push rods, I explained how in the other response I sent you.
As for your cold start concern. Is the automatic choke properly adjusted? The choke pull off? The float level? The metering rod?
If not, find a good machanic that knows Carter BBD's.
Once it is properly adjusted, it should start and run better when cold.
