1991 LJ78 2L-TE, Automatic Transmission
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I unknowingly ran my engine low on oil - not sure how long. Could have been low for a couple weeks. I changed the oil about a month ago (filled to proper level at that time) and have done mostly city driving since then. I've been noticing some blue smoke but thought that turbo seals were perhaps going out. Should have checked oil sooner...can't believe I went a month without pulling dipstick. Today, driving about 60mph down freeway, about to exit ramp, heard loud knocking sound and immediately pulled over. Got to gas station about 1/4 mile later. Filled oil, it was about 4.5 to 5 quarts low...yikes! It has been burning much more than I realized. Months prior, I would not have lost this in a couple weeks' time. I recently ran PCV tube back into intake, previously was venting to atmosphere, so thought maybe I was doing better by retaining that oil in the engine. Was seeing good amount of oil blowby in PCV tube when vented to atmosphere, even with PCV hose having a loop in hose and going through catch can.
Long story short - after filling back up with oil, knocking sound is still there. Guessing engine is toast? I've done a number of mods - EGR delete, air-air intercooler, remove butterfly plates from throttle body.
Wondering if rebuilding this engine with a rebuild kit is worth it...or if I should look for a new 2L-TE. I'm having trouble locating a 1991 (Gen 1?) 2L-TE. I can only find the 2nd gen versions where air intake goes towards passenger (left-hand) side. My air intake is on right-hand (RHD - driver's) side.
Any thoughts/suggestions you might have, or leads on a '91 2L-TE w/ automatic transmission (located in USA), are appreciated.
Thanks,
Dylan
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I unknowingly ran my engine low on oil - not sure how long. Could have been low for a couple weeks. I changed the oil about a month ago (filled to proper level at that time) and have done mostly city driving since then. I've been noticing some blue smoke but thought that turbo seals were perhaps going out. Should have checked oil sooner...can't believe I went a month without pulling dipstick. Today, driving about 60mph down freeway, about to exit ramp, heard loud knocking sound and immediately pulled over. Got to gas station about 1/4 mile later. Filled oil, it was about 4.5 to 5 quarts low...yikes! It has been burning much more than I realized. Months prior, I would not have lost this in a couple weeks' time. I recently ran PCV tube back into intake, previously was venting to atmosphere, so thought maybe I was doing better by retaining that oil in the engine. Was seeing good amount of oil blowby in PCV tube when vented to atmosphere, even with PCV hose having a loop in hose and going through catch can.
Long story short - after filling back up with oil, knocking sound is still there. Guessing engine is toast? I've done a number of mods - EGR delete, air-air intercooler, remove butterfly plates from throttle body.
Wondering if rebuilding this engine with a rebuild kit is worth it...or if I should look for a new 2L-TE. I'm having trouble locating a 1991 (Gen 1?) 2L-TE. I can only find the 2nd gen versions where air intake goes towards passenger (left-hand) side. My air intake is on right-hand (RHD - driver's) side.
Any thoughts/suggestions you might have, or leads on a '91 2L-TE w/ automatic transmission (located in USA), are appreciated.
Thanks,
Dylan
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