98 4.0L cherokee misfires, rough idle, loss of coolant
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Newbie
Joined: May 2014
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Model: Cherokee
Head gasket or cracked head?
I have a 98 4.0L sport with has had a rough idle for a while, so changed out spark plugs, ignition coil pack, and crank position sensor and it solved issue for a while.
Then got a misfire code on cylinder 1, not sure if it was a bad plug and not having a spare on me, switched it with plug 2 to see if it happened again would it be 2 but now getting misfires on 3, 4, and 5 with the flashing CEL having appeared twice. Have coolant leaking somewhere, not making it to the ground though.
Temp gauge has never gone above normal, oil pressure also good, driving fine apart from rough idle and CEL staring me in the face!
So I'm wondering is it head gasket or cracked head?
And is there a way of checking which it could be with out stripping down the engine?
Then got a misfire code on cylinder 1, not sure if it was a bad plug and not having a spare on me, switched it with plug 2 to see if it happened again would it be 2 but now getting misfires on 3, 4, and 5 with the flashing CEL having appeared twice. Have coolant leaking somewhere, not making it to the ground though.
Temp gauge has never gone above normal, oil pressure also good, driving fine apart from rough idle and CEL staring me in the face!
So I'm wondering is it head gasket or cracked head?
And is there a way of checking which it could be with out stripping down the engine?
Last edited by Bertie_A; May 6, 2014 at 11:50 AM. Reason: Checked more threads and could be either head gasket or cracked head
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
I have a 98 4.0L sport with has had a rough idle for a while, so changed out spark plugs, ignition coil pack, and crank position sensor and it solved issue for a while.
Then got a misfire code on cylinder 1, not sure if it was a bad plug and not having a spare on me, switched it with plug 2 to see if it happened again would it be 2 but now getting misfires on 3, 4, and 5 with the flashing CEL having appeared twice. Have coolant leaking somewhere, not making it to the ground though.
Temp gauge has never gone above normal, driving fine apart from rough idle and CEL staring me in the face!
Any ideas?!
ps also had a power gauge spike while driving recently, never cut out but it would not restart for 5 mins, replaced the battery and cleaned the connections and that problem hasn't happened since.
Then got a misfire code on cylinder 1, not sure if it was a bad plug and not having a spare on me, switched it with plug 2 to see if it happened again would it be 2 but now getting misfires on 3, 4, and 5 with the flashing CEL having appeared twice. Have coolant leaking somewhere, not making it to the ground though.
Temp gauge has never gone above normal, driving fine apart from rough idle and CEL staring me in the face!
Any ideas?!
ps also had a power gauge spike while driving recently, never cut out but it would not restart for 5 mins, replaced the battery and cleaned the connections and that problem hasn't happened since.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 387
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
If so, remove the oil filler and with a small light inspect the head for cracks. If cracked, you need to replace it soon before your oil is contaminated. Lots of threads here on that head, start searching.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Can't help on the gasket, but I believe your `98 has the 0331 head (easy enough to check the casting).
If so, remove the oil filler and with a small light inspect the head for cracks. If cracked, you need to replace it soon before your oil is contaminated. Lots of threads here on that head, start searching.
If so, remove the oil filler and with a small light inspect the head for cracks. If cracked, you need to replace it soon before your oil is contaminated. Lots of threads here on that head, start searching.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 387
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
You can pull the plugs one by one and look for a really clean looking plug, smell it. If it smells "sweet" that's your coolant leak onto the combustion side. Also look for excessive "steam" or white smoke from the exhaust. If you have a radiator pressure tester you can hook that to the radiator on a cold engine,leave guage at zero.
Start engine and look for a pressure ride on the guage,indicating a combustion leak into the cooking system.
Start engine and look for a pressure ride on the guage,indicating a combustion leak into the cooking system.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 860
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From: middleburg fl
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
you are giving out incorrect information why wouldnt someone correct you. that way not only can the op receive help but you, as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: middleburg fl
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You can pull the plugs one by one and look for a really clean looking plug, smell it. If it smells "sweet" that's your coolant leak onto the combustion side. Also look for excessive "steam" or white smoke from the exhaust. If you have a radiator pressure tester you can hook that to the radiator on a cold engine,leave guage at zero.
Start engine and look for a pressure ride on the guage,indicating a combustion leak into the cooking system.
Start engine and look for a pressure ride on the guage,indicating a combustion leak into the cooking system.
looks like both methods are used so i stand informed and corrected
Last edited by kennzz05; May 6, 2014 at 11:06 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
I use this method at work,or a wireless transducer hooked to the fill neck that feeds info on co2 in the cooling system to a lap top (IDS)
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It took me a while to find out what I had on my "99" luckily it was an early model.
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