0331 Head
#1
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0331 Head
Looking at buying a 2001 Cherokee Classic. Do all the 2001 Cherokees have the bad 0331 head or did they change them during the build? Also if it does have the suspect head does anyone think it is worth swapping it out as a precautionary measure rather than maybe having to replace the engine later? Does the cracking happen at higher mileage or can happen anytime?
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#2
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Looking at buying a 2001 Cherokee Classic. Do all the 2001 Cherokees have the bad 0331 head or did they change them during the build? Also if it does have the suspect head does anyone think it is worth swapping it out as a precautionary measure rather than maybe having to replace the engine later? Does the cracking happen at higher mileage or can happen anytime?
Thanks
Thanks
2. Swapping it as a precaution is something to consider if it helps you sleep at night. If you have a factory 0331, you should check coolant level in the reservoir at least weekly. Unexplained coolant loss is the #1 symptom of a cracked 0331 head.
3. The higher the mileage, the better the chance of cracking, but it can happen at any mileage. Failure to maintain the cooling system increases the chance of a crack, especially an engine overheat. But I have seen the 0331 head crack on perfectly maintained XJs.
4. Knowledge is power. Looks like you've done some reading on the subject already. You want to make an informed decision, which is wise.
Last edited by tjwalker; 06-29-2015 at 12:13 PM.
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Year: 90,84
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Engine: 4.0,2.5
There is a thread with posters posting at what mileage theirs cracked. Unfortunately there is no info that I know of of how many cracked. 1/4, 3/4 ?, Idk.
#5
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
This is completely non-scientific, but the crack seems to make itself known most often between 140K and 160K. However, there have been people on here with a crack at 80K, and there are people with more than 200K on their original 0331s with no issues at all. It just depends on your luck.
#7
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Year: 1998 Sport
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Engine: 4.0
Personally I wouldn't worry about it. I have seen the 0331 head outlast the Jeep. As long as you keep up on you maintenance it can last a very long time. As other have said just keep an eye on you fluid levels.
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#8
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Maintenance has very little to do with crack/no crack.
Overheating just once will usually get them. But some crack for no apparent external reason.
Then the engine starts ingesting coolant. Sooner or later, it will go supernova on you.
After that, your Jeep will ingest a lot of your money.
Overheating just once will usually get them. But some crack for no apparent external reason.
Then the engine starts ingesting coolant. Sooner or later, it will go supernova on you.
After that, your Jeep will ingest a lot of your money.
#9
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Year: 2000 sport
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: New 4.0l from s&j engines
Maintenance has very little to do with crack/no crack.
Overheating just once will usually get them. But some crack for no apparent external reason.
Then the engine starts ingesting coolant. Sooner or later, it will go supernova on you.
After that, your Jeep will ingest a lot of your money.
Overheating just once will usually get them. But some crack for no apparent external reason.
Then the engine starts ingesting coolant. Sooner or later, it will go supernova on you.
After that, your Jeep will ingest a lot of your money.
#10
Bought a cream puff 01 with 120k on it. Then found out about the 0331 head. I'm not proficient enough to swap it myself, so I am watching the coolant and getting oil sampled every oil change. Just sent my first sample to Blackstone. I'll post results when I get them. In the meantime, I am enjoying my XJ.
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Of course maintenance of the cooling system will help prevent, (or prevent), an overheat, last thing you want!
I found that survey. Not quite sure what to make of it...seems like very few go after 150K I guess.
Click on "poll results" in this link>
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/how...-68400/index7/
I found that survey. Not quite sure what to make of it...seems like very few go after 150K I guess.
Click on "poll results" in this link>
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/how...-68400/index7/
Last edited by DFlintstone; 06-30-2015 at 04:49 PM.
#12
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
I have had mine since I drove it off the lot new in June 2000. I followed the maintenance schedule to the letter and never overheated it. It cracked anyway. Some of them do that, because the head design was flawed.
I find it rather offensive when someone who obviously hasn't been through it blames the victims.
I find it rather offensive when someone who obviously hasn't been through it blames the victims.
Last edited by extrashaky; 06-30-2015 at 07:31 PM.
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Year: 2000
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Yes I have 2000. Aaaand I also have a cracked head. It is very annoying and honestly very hard to decide what to do about it, replace head/ ride it out/
If I ride it out and she does crap out on me as I know she will eventually. Remanufactured motor or junkyard if u get a junkyard you have to swap headers and make mounts for coil pack,that is if u get an older model without the 0331 head...sorry had to vent. If it were me I'd take my time and get a 99 or older but I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are and how much you absolutely love to work on your jeep
If I ride it out and she does crap out on me as I know she will eventually. Remanufactured motor or junkyard if u get a junkyard you have to swap headers and make mounts for coil pack,that is if u get an older model without the 0331 head...sorry had to vent. If it were me I'd take my time and get a 99 or older but I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are and how much you absolutely love to work on your jeep
#14
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
If you know the head is cracked but the block is still good, you need to replace the head. Otherwise the coolant leaking into your oil will ruin the bearings, and you'll lose the whole engine. As long as you have coolant running through the bearings, it's doing damage. Replacing the head is a much smaller job and a lot less expensive than swapping engines.
#15
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have had mine since I drove it off the lot new in June 2000. I followed the maintenance schedule to the letter and never overheated it. It cracked anyway. Some of them do that, because the head design was flawed.
I find it rather offensive when someone who obviously hasn't been through it blames the victims.
I find it rather offensive when someone who obviously hasn't been through it blames the victims.
Yes I have 2000. Aaaand I also have a cracked head. It is very annoying and honestly very hard to decide what to do about it, replace head/ ride it out/
If I ride it out and she does crap out on me as I know she will eventually. Remanufactured motor or junkyard if u get a junkyard you have to swap headers and make mounts for coil pack,that is if u get an older model without the 0331 head...sorry had to vent. If it were me I'd take my time and get a 99 or older but I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are and how much you absolutely love to work on your jeep
If I ride it out and she does crap out on me as I know she will eventually. Remanufactured motor or junkyard if u get a junkyard you have to swap headers and make mounts for coil pack,that is if u get an older model without the 0331 head...sorry had to vent. If it were me I'd take my time and get a 99 or older but I guess it depends on how deep your pockets are and how much you absolutely love to work on your jeep