Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

98 xj head gasket/head?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-25-2013, 07:06 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
andyval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Port Barrington, illinois
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 litre
Default 98 xj head gasket/head?

what can i do to find out if i have a cracked head? i have a 98 xj that i just bought and finally got on the road. find out the hard way that i dont have heat and only works on 4 to blow out air. can i pick everyone's brains on how to diagnose a cylinder head.

list of related issues
1) no heat slightly warmish
2) not sure if its a 0331 head (crack prone)
3) dont know where to start

help please
Old 01-25-2013, 07:13 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
VTJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 802
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by andyval
what can i do to find out if i have a cracked head? i have a 98 xj that i just bought and finally got on the road. find out the hard way that i dont have heat and only works on 4 to blow out air. can i pick everyone's brains on how to diagnose a cylinder head.

list of related issues
1) no heat slightly warmish
2) not sure if its a 0331 head (crack prone)
3) dont know where to start

help please
Umm.. Blower motor resistor is bad, heater core is clogged- flush or replace.. Wondering if troll.. :/
0331 wasn't made in 98.. Not till late 99 models.
Old 01-25-2013, 07:16 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
andyval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Port Barrington, illinois
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 litre
Default

a troll was my first guess
Old 01-25-2013, 07:18 PM
  #4  
Member
 
1998redxj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: long island NY
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by andyval
what can i do to find out if i have a cracked head? i have a 98 xj that i just bought and finally got on the road. find out the hard way that i dont have heat and only works on 4 to blow out air. can i pick everyone's brains on how to diagnose a cylinder head.

list of related issues
1) no heat slightly warmish
2) not sure if its a 0331 head (crack prone)
3) dont know where to start

help please
I got the same problem in my 98 xj. I just bought mine a few weeks ago also and mine also only works on 4 lol. Im gonna do a full system flush and change the thermostat once it gets above freezing outside. Check ur radiator and see if there is any gunky build up. Check ur upper and lower hoses. Should be pretty warm. If not then theres a clog. Let the truck run for about 15 mins or so untill the motor gets upto temp and then check.
Old 01-25-2013, 09:01 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
belvedere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SD
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Do you have good reason to believe your head is cracked, or are you just assuming that no heat = cracked head?
Old 01-25-2013, 11:44 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
playbass's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 600
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

A cracked head isn't the first thing you should assume if you don't have any heat. Start with the heater core, it's probably clogged.

Your blower only working on '4' could mean the blower motor and/or blower motor resistor. Search this site, there are plenty of examples of all of these things.
Old 01-25-2013, 11:47 PM
  #7  
Member
 
LittleMeanPurpleMachine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Warmish air could also be caused by a vacuum leak
Old 01-26-2013, 09:25 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
andyval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Port Barrington, illinois
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 litre
Default

I didnt think the heater controls were controlled by a vacuum system
Old 01-28-2013, 11:14 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
andyval's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Port Barrington, illinois
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 litre
Default

well be for i just jump to a cracked head i might as well fix the all coolant related leaks and replace the stat and hoses possible water pump. i do smell coolant burning but im thinking its from little leaks here and there getting hot on the engine. ill keep you guys posted on new updates. and thanks for the help guys.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sluger17
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
9
07-08-2023 07:08 AM
nicksan
Cherokee Chat
5
10-08-2015 12:39 PM
MightyMouse8
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
14
10-08-2015 08:57 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: 98 xj head gasket/head?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:38 PM.