Good News on Recent Purchase
 

I've just bought a 2000 XJ 2WD 184,000 miles. I expected some issues but was obviously looking for signs of the 0331 head crack. During my test drive, I didn't see any overheating, oil pressure drops or water under the oil cap/milkshake oil. A local Jeep shop confirmed that there doesn't appear to by any signs of it either. Whew!

Anyways, I'm changing the trans fluid, oil, coolant, diff oil and belt. I'm also getting the valve cover gasket and the PCVs replaced. Anything else I should do? I'm thinking plugs and injectors are next.

Thanks

The life of these engines is the cooling system. If you don't have any proof of how old the components of it are I'd be changing them out.

Yep. The thermostat, water pump, and fan clutch are all wear items.

Are fan clutches easy to remove and replace? I might look into replacing mine.

Not too bad. If you look at the link below the guy gets his fan shroud out of the way by angling it out. I could not for the life of me. Just makes it a little more difficult. I thought this was a good write up for the cooling system.

http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?3...ement-Write-Up

Hey Jay, you can do all three of these things in about 20 minutes with a socket set and some wrenches. Look up some youtube videos. All in cost from Rockauto for the aforementioned parts if sub-$100. Do a coolant flush before you take the water pump out.

Also, if you have AC, pay the ~$50 and have it serviced. I didn't on mine and now I get to replace my system because a leak caused the AC compressor to go. It's worth it for the peace of mind in my opinion...unless you like spending $1600...ugh.

Thanks guys, looks like I will look into doing it this month. Doing a bunch of stuff right now, trying to fix stuff that I can do myself, new to doing mechanic work, I just turned 21, trying to get into wrenching. Got 4 Ball joints to do soon, probably take me 12 hours =0.

They take way longer than 20 minutes but its a pretty easy job.

I've been wrenching for a long time and have yet to do ball joints. I need to soon though.

As I said, use Youtube and these forums; you'll be fine. I'm self taught. No one in my family is a mechanic. You'll do fine.