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.

blown head gasket, advice? diagnose

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-26-2013, 08:32 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Uncledon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Elizabethtown
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default blown head gasket, advice? diagnose

ok first off im a fairly decent mechanic...usually know whats wrong with engine...and can fix it. same here...just want to make sure.

started running pretty rough two days ago, started smoking a ton of white smoke...like I was spraying for skeeters!...
will start and run but like I have 5 cylinders....

4.0 automatic 94 4x4.. 175k miles.

I pulled plugs last night, the second plug from the front of jeep...had oil/coolant on it...very wet. all other plugs looked fine.
I have lost a little bit of coolant and seems to be in my oil pan as the dipstick says I have more in there than should lol... I just changed oil also a week or so ago.

so pretty sure its a blown head gasket.
I only paid a $1000 for this jeep, and total I may have about $1500 in it. I really hate to go and put $800-$1000 in a head gasket replacement.

I could do the work myself and save money, I just honestly don't have the time..sucks.

my mechanic guy said he had heard good things about Fiber Lock? and napa guy said he heard good things about Blue devil?

I read up on here people having good luck out of barrs also...

I know its a temp fix, but what you guys recommend? I probably won't have this jeep very long maybe around winter and sell it...or I might sell it now with blown head gasket and let someone else fix it. lol..

suggestions? goods bads? if I wanted to do a temp fix what you guys recommend.
Old 08-26-2013, 10:16 AM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
RTorrez1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Riviera, Texas
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I would never recommend using any of that garbage. Yes they are all garbage. You might get away with running that stuff for a little while but they are meant to plug leaks even the ones that are not meant to be plugged. You can end up with more problems then you are starting out with. Most of the time they don't work on plugging the leak that you wan them to plug. You would be much better of replacing the head gasket rather then replacing the entire engine.
Old 08-26-2013, 10:24 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
Lowrange2's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Posts: 15,016
Received 9 Likes on 7 Posts
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
Default

You can replace it yourself in 1 afternoon for 100 bucks.

I'd suggest having the head resurfaced and have the valves ground and reseated.

I wouldn't put that stuff in there. You're just causing more problems later.

If you just DONT have the time then sell it now and cut your losses. You should be able to sell it like it is for a couple hundred less than you paid for it.
Old 08-26-2013, 10:28 AM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
sthon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Unless you plan on replacing the entire engine don't put that **** in it.
Old 08-26-2013, 01:01 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Uncledon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Elizabethtown
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I do hear good things about some of this stuff though? I dunno. im at a loss. I like the ol jeep but man im going to have three times the amount in it that its worth lol... dang it I say dang it.

I know I could do it myself but with work 50+ hours a week, two little kids. wife, house, church, etc...hard to find the time for them let alone work on a jeep. my head hurts thinking about it.
Old 08-26-2013, 01:52 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
odgreen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: some small town oregon
Posts: 15,581
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

As an ase mechanic...... do NOT put bars leak in it. Worst thing you can do.
Old 08-28-2013, 08:45 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Uncledon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Elizabethtown
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

ok i might do the head gasket myself. any thread on here about it? write up? issues? special tools? etc... ive searched on here and found none.
Old 08-29-2013, 07:26 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Kalali's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ocean, New Jersey
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Head swap thread

There are also U-tube videos on this topic.
Old 08-29-2013, 07:30 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
mentalbreakdown00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Havana fl
Posts: 1,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

You do not have to mill the head if its straight a good piece of square steel and some 220 grit sandpaper will clean and prep the deck and head. A head set can be had for $50 or so online.....
Old 08-29-2013, 11:02 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Firestorm500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Your first $15 should be spent on a repair manual.

Don't drive it or start it until you fix it yourself, have someone else do it, or sell it as is.

Don't use the sealing junk. Why would you trust a counter clerks advice?

Yes, your head gasket is blown.
Old 08-29-2013, 11:03 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
Firestorm500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Originally Posted by sthon
Unless you plan on replacing the entire engine don't put that **** in it.
AND pulling the dash to replace the heater core. And the evaporator while you're in there.
Old 08-29-2013, 11:05 AM
  #12  
Seasoned Member
 
831xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Santa Cruz Ca
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Blue devil fixed my forklifts head gasket.
Still runnin 2 years later

But I wouldn't ever use it in my jeep
Old 08-29-2013, 11:05 AM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
sthon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: California
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by Firestorm500
AND pulling the dash to replace the heater core. And the evaporator while you're in there.
Good point, damn heater core is almost as much of a job as an engine swap.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
t.mcginley.jr
Jeep Builds
105
01-31-2024 04:58 PM
seanie11
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
09-11-2015 04:42 AM
fannitti
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
10
09-09-2015 05:28 PM
Azzy
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
09-08-2015 10:49 PM
Silentj
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
7
09-06-2015 08:46 PM

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


Quick Reply: blown head gasket, advice? diagnose



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:42 AM.