Hey,
So I have a 2001 jeep Cherokee sport and my head is cracked. I/PO didn't catch it in time. So my oil pressure was at 8-9 at idle, but I just traveled 450 miles, it's my only vehicle I had no choice. Now when warm my oil pressure goes low enough that my check engine light comes on. I already plan on getting a new engine but am away from home and can't right now. How long do you think this engine will last? Will it just get worse or put a hole in the block? The engine currently has 97k on it

Thanks

 

I would replace the head ASAP with an updated casting and then drive it till it either quit or I had a replacement engine ready. I put a few miles on an engine with zero oil pressure(pickup fell off the pump). After I fixed the problem, I drove that truck daily (without being easy on the go fast pedal) for another couple years. I'm sure it would start and run today with some fresh gas and a new battery. If it did any serious damage to the engine, it wasn't apparent at all.

 

Damn man that's really unfortunate to get a cracked head with those kinda miles. I cracked one in my first xj, a 98 while I was on a trip from Maine to new jersey. It sat at a garage for like 3 months and when I finally had a chance to go get it it started right up even in the dead of winter after sitting that long.
As long as there's something in the crankshaft that ain't coolant she'll run for a while. Just watch your fluids an go easy. Just remember, no temporary solution will ever be as good as a permanent fix.

 

I know everyone says replace the head, but I am subletting a place this summer for an internship which means=no tools, no vehicle to use if I take it in the shop, kind of at a lose. I do take it very easy (highway miles mainly) and with the oil pressure that low I feel that replacing the engine after the summer would be the smart thing to do rather then spend money on a dying engine by replacing the head. I just need it to last till the middle of august

 

Where you livin?? Find some fellow jeep people on here and borrow tools. If they're like me not only would the be more then willing to let you borrow stuff, but probably stand next to you and replace the head with you.
I say you can make it through the summer if you gotta, but if you can get hooked up with some people just get a head from a junkyard and run that til the whole thing dies, in the mean time start rebuilding an engine so you'll have a minty fresh one to drop in there.
Ultimate decision = 4bt swap

 

Haha I don't think I could pull off that swap. But living in northern Vermont. Not many people haha posted on some local forum so hopefully find some fellow jeepers

 

Damn man. I'm in the Durham NH area. Almost close enough

 

Do you get reasonable oil pressure while driving? If so, it isn't a good situation, but isn't instant death either.
Keep an eye on your oil for antifreeze contamination. Once that starts the bearings won't live long. If it's already in there...that's likely why your oil pressure is low..wiped bearings. If that's the case, you are on borrowed time already.