I'm looking to buy a 2005 Grand Cherokee Limited. After I took it for a ride and checked the 4.7 engine compartment I noticed a familiar creamy residue on the oil cap. Had this same thing on my 4.7 HO before the head gasket went out. Is this a common thing to find this residue or just on pre-gasket blowouts?
During colder and humid weather its quite common to find this buildup on the oil filler cap, especially when shorter distances where driven and the engine didn't heat up completely.
Check the oil dipstick for eventual coolant mix in the oil.
Dont be fooled my 02 #6 failed head gasket seeping, if they allow you pull the plugs and look for washing of cylinders or plug damage. Mine was getting same symptoms
Thanks for the reply HE- I read what you went through to replace your head gaskets- you're far more brave than I am! LOL
Also shying away from this 05 GC. Guess I'll just read Jeep Garage and dream about my old Cherokee Sport!
Never go by what we say, its your car we give you info on what we have seen or went through, there might be nothing wrong with it at all. We did have a long winter so inadequate warm up could be a factor. Do more tire kicking, smell exhaust if its sweet, over flow tank bubbling or oily residue, dipstick over full or milky, heck ask seller if you could take it to a local mechanic and do compression rest, leak down. If it comes back as failed tests, then you have the cards in your hand.
A good mech inspection to include compression and even leak down is quite cheap compared to top end repairs. It may be a perfectly good vehicle that just wasn't driven on long enough trips over the winter... or not. Spend a few bucks and find out.