Halloween Nightmare - 2000 Cherokee crack head

[souske]

Does your son plan on wheeling it? If so, this is a great time to start learning how to repair it. XJ's are pretty simple vehicles to maintain, and over the life of the vehicle, you can save quite a bit of frustration and $$$ by wrenching yourself.

I would pull the pan and pull a cap or two as added insurance, but thats just me

 

[ChrisR]

I am now waiting for the replacement head from Clearwater (should arrive tomorrow)

In the meantime, I changed the oil and flter and started her up - oil pressure is up above 40 and I (not being a mechanic) noticed no knocking sounds. So I will leave it as is until the part shows up.

Base on everyone's feeback looks like there is hope to save this for my son and let him finally drive and enjoy the Jeep with hopefully no worries.

 

[Jeepguy03]

I am now waiting for the replacement head from Clearwater (should arrive tomorrow)

In the meantime, I changed the oil and flter and started her up - oil pressure is up above 40 and I (not being a mechanic) noticed no knocking sounds. So I will leave it as is until the part shows up.

Base on everyone's feeback looks like there is hope to save this for my son and let him finally drive and enjoy the Jeep with hopefully no worries.

Sounds like you are good to go then. :sunshine: I would do a few shorter oil change intervals after the head replacement to get the remaining coolant out of the oil. Just use the cheapest 10w30 you can find and a decent filter.

 

[Redsnake]

Any updates on this? I'm in a very similar situation w/my 2001 XJ. Looks like it's time for a new Head (only have 122K miles on mine) and I'm trying to decide between a few cylinder head recommendations I've got here on the forums. My concerns are if the new head being of the 0331 Castings are all the same for the 2000-2001 XJ's. If there is one in particular that I could get that would do away w/the design flaw I'd be all in.

My oil pressure was a good solid 35-45 psi when it was last running so I don't think my bearings are shot... but not sure.

Would be nice to hear if you have any updates or an outcome. Hopefully a good one!!

 

[Tbone289]

Would be nice to hear if you have any updates or an outcome. Hopefully a good one!!

ChrisR (the OP) has updated in another thread, here: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1074361

It doesn't sound too good...