The washer fluid bearings had spun! No, not quite so simple I saw coolant in various spots looks like a V-shape starting around the thermostat.. some on the A/C compressor, air intake on back. Coolant level is lower than it used to be. Pulled the oil filler cap and saw the beginning of white build up. Pulled the oil dipstick and the oil looked OK. Looks like the head gasket let go sometime between Monday and today when I changed the oil. I've driven to work every day this week, about 700 miles total. It has been very cold this week, but I have never associated cold weather with head gaskets... usually radiators. The Jeep has been running great, starts great, no noticeable smoke, lifters are quiet.
Given that the likelihood of head cracks on 97 XJ's is pretty low, I am guessing the head gasket let go. I plan to pull the head and look things over and drop it off at the machine shop unless I see any noticeable cracks.
Given that the likelihood of head cracks on 97 XJ's is pretty low, I am guessing the head gasket let go. I plan to pull the head and look things over and drop it off at the machine shop unless I see any noticeable cracks.