2000 XJ, auto, 119k miles. Been chasing a coolant leak. Doesn’t overheat. Suspect bad head, oil analysis came back with excessive coolant in the oil. Hot oil pressure at idle at or above 15psi. New oil pump 1000 miles ago when shop replaced RMS and pan gasket. Not set up to wrench on thing myself so here is the plan.
Take it in to my trusted local shop, NOT a Jeep dealer because who has that kind money?
1) Pressure check coolant system for the third time, first two were good.
2) compression test all 6 cylinders.
If coolant system checks and all 6 cylinders are still in spec I purpose the following:
Order a replacement head, should I get one complete or a bare head. Looking to save on shop labor.
Drop oil pan and replace main bearings
Button it up and hope for another 50k miles?

Obviously if cylinder compression is bad little choice but to pull the engine and rebuild it with a new head. Sound like a reasonable plan?

 

Manually check oil pressure before tearing it apart.

the cam bearings are what cause the low oil pressure from coolant contamination.

 

Will have the shop do a manual oil pressure test as well. Thanks !

 

Go to post #21 on this thread here in Cherokee Forum:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/99-...265467/index2/

It could save you money taking your XJ to a shop. No tools needed, really. If these two tests don't check out, take it to your trusted shop.

Todd