Engine losing prime after sitting?

[STIGPIG]

Hey guys

My wife and I had anoyher baby a few weeks ago, so she hasn't been driving her 1997 LX450. (289k miles)

Today I decided to drive it to work so it wouldn't feel neglected.

Well.... As soon as I turned the key I started cringing ( KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKING )

It sounded like it was starving for oil for a good three seconds.

No issues before.

I know on older Jeeps that if you use cheap filters they allow the oil to drain back into the pan.

A few weeks before our son was born her oil level light came on so she drove right to a quick lube and got a cheapo oil change. (I had just changed her oil with Rotella synthetic and a premium filter the week before )

I am hoping it's not time for a rebuild since we can't really afford one at the moment.

Anyone else experienced this?

 

[jfz80]

Did it then start fine and drive normal? Start fine later or same deal? Or did you leave it parked?

No experience but i'd drain and fill to know there were 8 qts present. The grase monkeys sometimes like to assume everything uses 5. However, i believe the pickup would still reach with 5 Quarts. Not completely sure though.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Mine has done that before after sitting for a while. Dunno if it's normal, though. I'm choosing to ignore it until it blows up.

 

[Qball]

Just drive it more, problem solved. If you feel really bad about neglect then just change oil again soon with the he good stuff, I stopped having anyone else changing my oil for years now.

 

[unklwedy]

Sounds like timing chain has stretched a bit over the course of 297Kmi. Hydraulic chain tensioner rachet mechanism may be at its' limit. Rachet mechanism compensates for chain stretch up to a point.

 

[CycloSteve]

If the "premium" oil filter is not OEM, it actually may be part of the problem. The oil in the filter may be draining back into the sump, and thus un-primed and starting dry. Using the proper Mr. T filter is always the best. YMMV with other brands. Replace the filter and you will likely be fine.