'01 Cherokee with possible head crack?
 

I have an '01 cherokee with the 0331 head. I am experiencing a loss of coolent and it has recently started overheating to around 220 (the first dash past the center). I need some advice on what I should do or if this is even my problem! Thanks.

1. Perform a comprehensive search for a leak.

2. If not leak is found and you are using coolant, there is a good chance that you have a cracked 0331 head. I would recommend you remove the valve cover. Then with a good light, perform a close inspection between cylinders 3-4, which is where the 0331 head ALWAYS cracks, because of the design defect located there.

3. A cylinder leakdown test is a test a shop can run to help you isolate. A compression test is NOT a good test for a cracked 0331 head.

4. You can also run a "block test", where you sniff the coolant for the presence of hydrocarbons (oil). A shop can do this for you, or you can buy a do-it-yourself kit from a parts store like Napa for around $40.

I have included a link that is required reading if you have a cracked 0331 head, or even think you might.

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=391831

Good luck!

01 cracked head
 

check between cyl 3 and 4 thats where they all crack i just did my wife's this weekend got a new head and gaskets dont use a stock head get a hd after market there not that hard to change

I just had the same issue after replacing my water pump and thermostat. I replaced those because my temp gauge was always sitting at the notch past half (like yours), and my cooling fan seemed to always be running. Once I replaced those, my temp was great. However, after parking the first day after replacing those parts, I had coolant running from the radiator all over, as well as oil dripping down the side of my engine. I too have an 01 XJ, so that freaked me out considering the cracked head is so common with our specific year. After degreasing the engine and noting that the oil leak was coming from beneath the valve cover. Yeah, I was still scared at this point. It was taken apart, and luckily, I just needed a new valve cover gasket, whew, thank God! My radiator apparently had 3 holes in it and wasn't repairable, so it had to be replaced. I guess that once I changed my water pump, everything flowed a lot better, and therefore the coolant found the holes that apparently were in the radiator, as I have no other ideas as to how I leaked so bad after replacing those parts. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, and hopefully it's something along these lines.

210 is standard operating temp for the 4.0 so 220 isnt really overheating just warm, The coolent leak is probably the reason for the 10 extra degrees. Although the 0331 is a biatch from what ive heard. have you pinpointed the leak?