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buying a used cherokee 1998 with 169,000 miles

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Old 05-29-2017, 05:47 PM
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Default buying a used cherokee 1998 with 169,000 miles


Hey Everyone,
i am considering a used Cherokee sport 1998 with 169k miles
it sounds like it needs spark plugs and a general tune up and once over. i have videos of the engine i'd like to send over just so someone with a mechanical ear can hear whats going on (which i believe is some misfire) it will cost $850 and im told it will not pass emissions due to an O2 sensor. is it worth while?

On a side note it has a ton of small problems(broken window motors, bad trunk lift, broken plastic and its generally seen better days

HOWEVER!
There is almost NO rust under it! seriously i had another Cherokee fanatic check it out, nothing on the floorboard, or the underbody!

however a **** ton of fluids appear to be leaking. see my photos for details!







Last edited by iPodTouchMyself; 05-29-2017 at 06:04 PM. Reason: Got Pix
Old 05-29-2017, 06:07 PM
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How much are you paying?
Old 05-29-2017, 06:17 PM
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It's worth twice that. Jump on it.

Post the video on Youtube; link it here.
Old 05-29-2017, 06:31 PM
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I would definitely grab that one up.
Old 05-29-2017, 06:36 PM
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Heres a startup video cold start.

Old 05-29-2017, 08:00 PM
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Slow cranking but battery could be low from sitting. All under the hood fluid levels good and clean? No smoke from the exhaust I could see. Check under the hood for any signs of the wiring being tampered with. Maybe even shoot us an under the hood pic? From what I can tell it looks like only oil leaking. Inside back tires and rims look dry so maybe no brake or axle seal leaks. Did you put her in gear? Electrics working(lights,turn signal,etc.)?For $850 I can't see how you'd go wrong.
Old 05-29-2017, 08:30 PM
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At $850, you'll have a great running XJ, with a little basic maintenance and TLC on what sounds like common items. I'd buy that thing twice, LOL

In all seriousness, that XJ would go for close to $4k here. Stupid Kommiefornia, haha
Old 05-29-2017, 08:58 PM
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ezer to fix oil than rust!!
Old 05-29-2017, 11:17 PM
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I'd say it's a good deal, but you should know how to get the OBD-II codes when you go look at it, or go a second time to do it:

1.) Put key in ignition.
2.) Turn from OFF to ON, but do NOT start, 3-5 times (try 3 first), leaving in ON the third time (so it would go like this: OFF-ON, OFF-ON, ON).
3.) Codes will show up on odometer display, then display the word 'd0ne' once it's complete.

Then you can maybe find out what's wrong with the emissions system. My money's willing to bet that it's 'P0442', 'P0455', or 'P0456', as they're all evap codes relating to the emissions system, and that's what my Jeep had when I first bought it. I had the woman do the key switch for me and she texted me the codes. You HAVE to wait until the odo displays 'd0ne' BEFORE switching the key back to OFF, so that you have ALL of your codes. It's either that or buy a cheap code reader for $15 off of eBay (like I did).

169k is NOTHING for a 4.0, neither is 300k, so you have a long way to go as long as you do your regular tune ups and the obvious stuff (I have 137k on my '02 WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0).
Old 05-30-2017, 01:08 AM
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If it runs and drives fine id buy it right now for that price.The oil leak and stuff to pass smog are cheaper then fixing rust or bigger pricey problems.
Old 05-30-2017, 06:48 AM
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Under the hood, also drives okay I guess , 4x4 seems to work
Old 05-30-2017, 07:14 AM
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Looks like a valve cover leak
Old 05-30-2017, 08:15 AM
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Everything under the hood looks in tact. That inlet tube on the water pump is looking not so good. Buy it.
Old 05-30-2017, 09:52 AM
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Judging by the mess around the airbox and power steering reservoir, I'm thinking high pressure PS hose is leaking. About $20 for the hose and an hour of your time. As another reply points out, the valve cover is leaking. Count on the oil filter housing o-rings leaking too. All inexpensive and pretty straightforward fixes.

How does the paint look dry?

When I was looking last summer, I'd have jumped on this one.
Old 05-30-2017, 12:37 PM
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anybody aware of the state laws for buying a personal vehicle in ct? im wondering if i can get temp plates...

just answered my own question
http://ctemissions.com/test-procedur...ue-date-search

Last edited by iPodTouchMyself; 05-30-2017 at 12:49 PM.


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