Advice please
 

So today has been one of those days. Im pretty sure I blew the head gasket on my 01 XJ(4L auto). Other than the fact I'm pretty sure the head gasket is blown(2nd time in 6 months) clearly something else is going on. I've decided to replace basically my entire cooling system. Ive got the radiator out and now I'm trying to get my water pump off. I've got the 4 bolts on the pulley off but for the life of me I CANNOT get the danged pulley off. I'm going to the part store to get a 2 jaw puller(3 jaw rental is out) other than that any ideas? Please help I'm very irritated and frustrated with this **** jeep.


Thanks.

a tap with a hammer to loosen it and it should pop right off. Some pentrating oil (PB/WD40 type stuff) could help.
Next try prying a little around the edges, next PB Blaster and heat if you have too (heat the pulley not the pump shaft).
The puller might be tough, not much wall thickness on those pulleys.

When the gasket went the first time, what else did you replace?
If it went due to overheating, something needed to be fixed at that time....

The cylinder head itself is suspect. There is a defect between cylinders 3-4 from the factory on the 2000-2001 XJ. The head cracks more often than the head gasket fails.

Search and educate yourself on the 0331. Do some testing (cooling system pressure test, visual test with valve cover removed, cylinder leakdown test) to see if this is your problem.

^^ You absolutely want to look into this! ^^

Thanks I didn't know that. As for the pulley I tried a 3" puller and a 5" puller and both were no good. it didnt budge. As far as the head is concerned when I took the it in they told me/charged me to have the head sent off to a machining shop. Wouldn't at least the techs or the machine shop have checked to see if the head is good? Is there by chance a TSB for this?

AFAIK the shop I work at only checks the head for flatness when they're brought in. We don't do any type of examination for cracks as that isn't what we're paid to do.

If you were told that your head was good when in fact it wasn't then that's a different issue and should be taken up with the person who told you that. Although it might be a bit late now as they can claim the damage happened afterwards if there happens to be any.

A little update for everyone I finally got the water pump pulley off, it need some percussive persuasion lol. No signs of failure or shaft play, and on the positive side the coolant in the water jacket looked pretty good. Bad weather is rolling in and its getting chilly so I called it an early night on the jeep. Tomorrow I'm going to try and get her all buttoned up depending on if my boss lets me bounce out of work. Hopefully by the end of the week I can get it up to the dealership so they can look at it and explain if need be. Also need to do some research on that head issue that was brought up yesterday as well.

On another note anyone know how to get the oil line off the oil cooler elbow( lower oil line into the radiator)? Currently I'm contemplating some small screwdrivers I was just wondering if there was an actual tool the get it off.

Suggestions welcomed

Isn't the trans cooler line just a hex nut, like a brake line?

Yes and no. I tried the hex nut to remove the line, I got the nut off but it still wouldn't come off. I looked at the new radiator I have and it is a hard line with a ring/nipple around the tip. The line is suppose to slide onto and "clip" into place. BTW its the oil cooler I am talking about not the trans cooler which is in front of the radiator.