markhoff1022

2000 XJ Sport with infamous 0331 head- anyone in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama area have a 4.0L engine to sell? or would like to help teach a young lad how to swap an engine?

My "check gauges" light occasionally comes on when idling after driving around for ~20 minutes or so, so I'm convinced an engine swap is on my radar unfortunately. I've only had it for a few months and didn't know of the problems when I bought it (blown head gasket, cylinder head covered in oil sludge from past owner missing oil changes).

I work part-time at O'Reilly's and I can get "re-manufactured" 4.0L engines for less than two grand. Does anyone have any experience with these "re-manufactured" parts? Half the crap we sell is so cheap I wouldn't be surprised if re-manufactured meant "will fall apart in two years". Should I get a 1999 XJ's 4.0 so I don't have to deal with the 0331 head? or stick with the 2000 model? I know there are adaptations to make (motor mounts, etc) but if anyone has any information on the best year to swap out or what it entails please share. At that price, I could just get an aftermarket 4.0 with the head cracking issue solved, but who knows how reliable those are as well. If I'm going to swap it, I want to do it right, and preferably just once.

I would most likely have a shop do this, unless someone in the Tuscaloosa area wants to help me swap it out. Or if anyone nearby has an engine to sell, please reach out. I don't need it asap but I'm sure it's a ticking time bomb, especially with how hot it will get in the summer here. Just looking for any advice at all. Thanks.

Dave51

Either that or a broken oil sending unit or clogged (Fram) oil filter. But those parts come new with a new engine so you're covered there.

97grand4.0

My goodness, so a check gauges light means replace the engine now?

Cummins93

Have you looked down into the oil fill to check for a crack in the head? Coolant contaminated oil?

awg

you mention a blown head gasket, if confirmed by a compression test , replace the head gasket, happy days

check the head for cracks once its off, may not be cracked

dont keep driving it with a blown head gasket or you will have cracked head

the Check Light system is primarily a mandated warning system about anti-pollution devices failing, doesnt mean yr engine is more or less likely to blow up

clean up the oil on the engine, then you can see whats happening, including Oil adaptor o-rings and valve cover gasket most likely

BillyBoy

I bought a beater Jeep from craigslist for 600 bucks that the engine still ran and the oil looked OK. I pulled the engine put it in my Jeep sold the transmission and transfer case for 150 bucks and sold the Jeep to the junkyard for 250 My new used engine cost me $200.