Hello,

First, a thank you everyone for posting all this great knowledge here. I've learned a lot!

I'm wondering if someone can help me confirm this: I'm pretty sure I have a cracked 0331 head but wanted to be sure I did not miss something before I start tearing into it.

I have 2000 Cherokee 4.0L with 140k and 0 compression (okay maybe 5 psi) on cylinders #3 and #4. However, I'm not losing any coolant. It seems that in every case I have read online, coolant loss is always the first symptom. Also, the car has never overheated. In fact, it mostly does short trips where the engine doesn't even get to operating temp.

A cracked head or blown head gasket are my only guesses. Is there anything else I should look at?

Thanks in advance!

 

Whats the oil pressure on the dash gauge also if your looking for a replacement head get one from 02 and up WJ or TJ they fixed the problem with cracking or do a complete engine swap for an early 99 engine with a distributor ignition

 

Either way, the way forward is the same. No doubt.

Pull the head.

Have a look at the gasket and if the gasket is okay, have the head checked at a machine shop for cracks.

My guess is a cracked head. The 0331 is famous (infamous) for that and it always cracks between cylinders 3 and 4.

 

Thanks for the replies. I figured that a crack or gasket leak were about the only possibilities.

I will probably go with Alabama Cylinder Head because I know that they use the '02+ Brazilian TUPY casting and they have a distributor here in northern Cali (hopefully save some on shipping).

This is gonna hurt: that head sells for $510. First estimate I got was for $900-1000 labor plus head gasket set, oil, coolant, thermostat, and machining. Is machining necessary on a new Alabama head?

This shop also recommends a complete cooling system overhaul with all new hoses. My hoses still look good and the Jeep has never overheated. What do you guys think: good preventative maintenance for an XJ or overly cautious?

Think oil pressure was usually around 40 +/- 10.

 

Wow that shop is trying to stiff you. Why not just do it yourself for the price of a torque wrench and some hand tools. Best advice i have is remove the head and get it checked out before you drop $500 on a head, I had to replace a head gasket on my gf 01 at ~200k and costed her like $50. They recommend cooling system overhaul cause your issue come from overheat it.

 

If you take a factory 00-01 0331 cylinder head off, it should NEVER go back on that engine again in my opinion.

Plain and simple, that head is a dog. It won't crack for everyone, but I answer a handful of threads every week for unfortunate souls who have had it happen to them. And then if it cracks and you don't catch it soon enough, it toasts the engine bearings and you need a rebuild or a different engine.

But as far as doing a head replacement yourself, that certainly is a viable option......

 

Labor rates are high here in Cali; $120/hour. But hopefully I can find a cheaper shop.

I wish I could do it myself but I live in an apt and I already got in trouble for changing the brakes. They will have a heart attack if I pull the cylinder head in the carport!

What do you think is a reasonable labor time esitmate for this job?