Hello all,

I am looking for some advice in regards to my 2000 XJ with 185000 miles on it. When i purchased the jeep it had no signs of a cracked head. After owning it for a few months I noticed the coolant reservoir was low. I topped it off and its low again. Because there were no obvious leaks and after reading about how often the 2000s heads crack I decided to look inside the oil cap and saw a faint green line. I'm assuming this is coolant and that I have a cracked head.

The jeep runs fine, no milky substance under oil cap, the combustion leak test showed no leak, oil pressure fluctuates but after doing some reading it sounds like the XJs are suppose to do that.

Assuming I have a cracked head, i'm looking for some advice on what to do. I have no idea how long its been cracked for. Do I just replace the head and hope the bearings are still in good order? Do I replace the head and the bearings? Do I buy a new motor? I've read the location of the crack will determine if coolant has affected the bearings but how do I determine that?

Any suggestions, tips or comments are appreciated!

 

you and me? we is alike... you and me? we may, in fact, be the same person...





swap dem heads, you... chances are all else is fine... chances are the head is cracked and trumping the possibility they aren't cracked...

it's a lot easier job than any other engine I've ever done this to- and will take you about five leisurely hours to complete.

 

Sounds like you have the crack..Thats how mine started, a little coolant missing over time small bubbles/green line..

what is your oil PSI when driving?
and what is it when sitting at the light.

if its 40psi while driving and hmmm 13-15psi at the light you might still be good and just get away with a new head.. You might be catching it in time. Me I didn't catch it in time new motor for me.

My psi started going from 40psi first start in the morning down to 28psi while driving. When at lights the needle would hit 0 and check gauges light would go off..

 

Its about 50psi while driving at 50 mph and comes down to about 20psi when stopped. Is there a recommended gasket kit to use when changing the head?

 

This is seriously becoming my favorite thing to do when it comes to the 0331 heads




and I've had good luck with these for head gaskets http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....363384&jsn=420

 

My 00' XJ 4.0 is doing the same thing. 40psi at start and once the engine warms up and I hit a stop light and come to a complete stop the psi drops to 0 and the check gauge light comes on.. Does this mean that my engine is pass the point of no return and replacing a new cylinder head is no use?

 

Kinda sounds like it,, that's how mine was acting after the bearing damage was done. Installing a new head wont fix bearing damage. Time for a rebuild or new motor, but thats easy to say sitting at the computer . Its time to start looking into what damage is done if any. I say if any because what if its just the oil psi gauge acting up and not reading right.. But since you have the 2000 I would start looking into what options are out there on fixing it.. start hitting the forums and read all you can about 0331 and what paths ppl took to fix it.

Its the pits,, but it can be fixed with a little/alot of cash

 

Ahhh fug it. I'll drive until the engine croaks, get my money's worth and then put in a new engine. lol

 

Thats what I did. I just let it go until I had the cash for a new motor.. Motor honey and real thick oil is going to be your friend lol. Good luck

 

Speaking of oil.. mine is due for an oil change. 10w40 thick enough?

 

Not sure, give it a shot. Might need thicker or a little motor honey in the mix.
Its a fun ride as it goes . Wait till you are at the light someday and hear a real loud knock! knock! knock! You will think,, is this it? Yepper that's it, all done . Time for the

 

Where do you live? What are the temp extremes?

You could run a single viscosity oil.

If you are running 10W30 now going to 10W40 might help.

If not, don't they make a 20W50?

 

Humid city D.C. Northern VA area

 

...if you plan to replace your 0331 with another series head like the 0630 or 7120, but keep the same exhaust manifolds.
​​​​​​​
read up on it here:

jeepexhaustadapter.com

or use a TUPY stamped Brazilian-made head.

save yourself.

​​​​​​​I'm not connected to that site or product.

 

i ran 20/50 in an old 302 ford. in winter it laid on top of cold heads and pressure dropped to 0! had to wait a few min, restart a few times till it got hot enuf.
finally we coasted to a stop,not enuf to pump up lifters!! long block.

took the v8 out thru the side door in the van .let me forget. i was younger!