Hello all, don't mean to chime in, but my YJ (89, Ford TFI ignition, MC2100 carb, Nutterd'), is showing the same symptoms as cstimmons and I am very anxious to see the resolution to this problem. I had a rough idle, SEVERE blowby from the valve cover, poor fuel mileage, decreasing coolant levels, oil coated air filter, and a nice frothy milkshake for oil. I already went through the entire PCV system and replaced everything, cleaned oil baffles, etc. After doing a compression test, I found that all cylinders were around 135psi normal and 150psi with addition of some oil...with the exception of the #2 cylinder, 45psi normal and 60psi with oil. I took this as a sign that either I have valve problems or a blown HG. Does this sound like a logical conclusion? I have already pulled the head and the gasket looks good. As a forethought I ordered a reman head from Autozone, still not due to arrive until the 13th. I need my Jeep back!

Thanks BigJim. The Oil level is fine. I have been monitoring this problem for a couple months now (although it's gotten much worse suddenly!) and have been changing the oil every couple hundred miles or so to get rid of the emulsification. I thought it was just condensation from the cold weather we were having, until last week I noticed the coolant level had dropped considerably and the blowby got much worse. I'm also spitting a lot of carbon from the tailpipe. The #2 cylinder looks good, no visible scoring and feels smooth to the touch. All the piston tops have carbon buildup, but none worse than another. I see no cracks in the cylinder head, even after cleaning. I am not sure how to examine the crankshaft. The only thing I see different is that, looking through the exhaust port at the exhaust valve for #2 inside the head, it appears to have much more carbon buildup than the others at the place where it comes out of the valve guide, and that carbon looks to be wet. Not sure what that means, but it's the only thing I see thats unique to #2. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Yes, puttering badly and lots of black buildup and spitting from the tailpipe, but no smoke. My Reman head and gasket set should be in by the 13th. It may be just a valve guide issue but with a reman at least I'll have a warranty. I just wish I was sure of the cause of the problem before I spend the money on the head. I know valve cover blowby is usually caused by bad rings, but if that was the case wouldn't my compression go way up after adding oil to the cylinder and re-testing?

Yes, puttering badly and lots of black buildup and spitting from the tailpipe, but no smoke. My Reman head and gasket set should be in by the 13th. It may be just a valve guide issue but with a reman at least I'll have a warranty. I just wish I was sure of the cause of the problem before I spend the money on the head. I know valve cover blowby is usually caused by bad rings, but if that was the case wouldn't my compression go way up after adding oil to the cylinder and re-testing?