Hello all,

I'm a GM/Toyota guy who got married last year. My new wife has a 2000 Cherokee Sport with 70k miles, and I have since married the repair and maintenance duties for it. Knowing very little about Jeeps or Chryslers it seems to be in pretty good shape, but has two problems from the onset that she asked me to look at that seem really outlandish to fix.

First, the A/C stopped working and it would lose recharge quickly. A shop narrowed the leak down to the evaporator core, and wanted $850 to replace it. I asked them why then researched it, and it looks like the steering column and entire dash panel have to come out to replace the core, thus the high cost. $100 part, $750 labor. So we decided to put that one off till spring, as it's too difficult a job for me to tackle myself. I have never come across an A/C evaporator replacement that involved, or one that developed a leak at only 70k miles.

Then the rear washer pump decided to quit. I figured it would be an easy fix as most washer pumps are on the bottom of the bottle and that is the case. I open the hood and see the filler, but where is the bottle? Oh, on the inside of the front fender. Research tells me I have to remove the grille and the front quarter panel to get at the washer bottle and pumps. What I thought might be a 30 minute repair looks like an all day project.

What to do? I have heard nothing but good things about Cheokees, but it seems like whatever this thing is throwing my way is making my wife think I'm coming up with excuses to be lazy and not fix it, which is not the case I just don't have days on end to devote to what should be moderately easy things to repair.

OK, whining aside, lets say this is all just bum's luck and I get off my rear and get these things fixed and my wife is happy again. Are there any other surprises that I should know about on this truck?

Thanks for any help!

-Uncletruck-

 

Is that the only thing she has to complain about ?? Those are minor issues, considering I know some people who have to walk to work. Welcome to the site BTW...

Id say, Fix the AC for her in the spring/summer as long as she makes it worth your while. Youd be saving her nearly a grand...

Otherwise its a reliable vehicle that merely needs routine maintenance. Good luck!

 

I'm sorry to hear about your dilemma. The typical things will happen over time... How does the undercarriage look? Jeep's like to rust after X amount of years and X amount of water. 70k is relatively low-mileage, so you have a long time to go with transmissions and things like that. Other than that, there's not too much to worry about. The two problems you mentioned are things that I don't hear about too often. In regards to your question, I don't think you married the wrong girl, maybe an unlucky one though. :P

 

The AC issue is common.....a second opinion wouldnt hurt...

 

Thanks for the replies

The underside of the Cherokee looks pretty good, considering we live in Erie, PA and it gets a lot of winter salt exposure. Matter of fact it still has the original exhaust system that is just starting to get some holes in it, am surprised how well that has held up, really unheard of a muffler that lasts 9 years in Erie. There is a minor oil leak at the valve cover, hopefully that will be an easy fix.

I would be able to live without the A/C and rear washer myself, but they are important to my wife, she likes the luxuries

The A/C is definitely the evaporator- you can smell the slight odor of the refrigerant inside the truck after you charge it, and the charge is gone in a couple of days.

-Uncletruck-

 

The good ol valve cover leak is defintiely a common Jeep thing, and yes easy to fix, just clean it up and seal it back up with some RTV. As for the rear window. Just clean it real well and use rain-x or other polish to help keep it clean. Not a big deal.

 

It the light of it all the Cherokee it a die hard live forever Jeep. Are you sure it's the pump to the rear and not just a hole in the washer line?

 

ya by a pump if its bad and recharge it. I would try to recharge it first

 

The A/c may be an issue you'll have to save up for and have the experts take care of. Anything more than a recharge I don't fool with due to haz. mat. laws and lack of knowledge.

The washer issue sounds like an easy fix. I can't vouch for a 2000 model but, in my 91 XJ the rear washer quit working because the hose that runs from the hatch out to the wiper broke. Simple fix and it was up and spraying again. Also, my washer tank is on the rear part of drivers side inner fender well and the washer pump is right below it down by the framerail. Both are really easy to get to for maintenance.

 

If you dont want to remove the old washer bottle. Go to a junk yard and buy an earlier model washer bottle as they are in the engine compartment. You may... or may not have to change the plugs, but it should be an easy fix.