Got my head off...PICS
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Got my head off...PICS
So, after coming to the conclusion that my HG/head was bad, I dove into it, and took the head off. Upon removal, I see many things that don't look like they are in good shape. The main thing being several "ports" or openings in the head that are clogged. The HG it's self doesn't actually look damaged, but then again, this is my first time, and I have yet to find any pics online that depict what an actual bad HG looks like (nothing that resembles mine anyway). The head doesn't appear to be cracked between 3 and 4, but there is a slight white spot between those two cylinders on both the head and the block. I've attached some pics to show what i'm looking at. If there is a chance that anyone can recognize anything, please let me know. Once again, I appreciate all the knowledge on here.
2001 Cherokee Sport-- 180k
Gasket
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7370081394/
Between 3 and 4
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184839423/
Clogged ports
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7370075230/
123 (notice discoloration)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184842277/
345 (these look brighter??)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184843185/
White spot between 3 & 4 on block
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184845561/
Gasket on block
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184849463/
Sorry for all the pics, i wanted to show everything that looks abnormal.
2001 Cherokee Sport-- 180k
Gasket
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7370081394/
Between 3 and 4
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184839423/
Clogged ports
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7370075230/
123 (notice discoloration)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184842277/
345 (these look brighter??)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184843185/
White spot between 3 & 4 on block
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184845561/
Gasket on block
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bccolwell/7184849463/
Sorry for all the pics, i wanted to show everything that looks abnormal.
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Also, while taking the head off, I grabbed it by the exhaust ports and inadvertently got debris into the cylinders....is there a good way to get it out?....It's just dust, and hasn't harmed anything yet. Thanks!
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: West Texas
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Hey, now that you have the head off, bring to a reputable machine shop, they will hot tank the head and pressure test for you if you suspect crack.
Also the cleaning of the head will clear out the ports, most machine shops do a very good job of this! For a reasonable price too.
as for new head gasket. just get a new one.
after you get it back together, may want to consider a seafoam treatment. some say its wonderful, others disagree, I did it once and it really did clean out all the sludge and carbon buildup i had in the motor.
to each his own tho!
good luck sir!
Cpnwrench
:smokin:
Trending Topics
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Rome, GA
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Got an air compressor? Cover all the ports and bolt holes with rags and give each cylinder a few quick shots with an air nozzle but, try not to aim directly at the debris. Aim at a clean area of the piston/cylinder so that air gets under the debris and forces it out. We use this method at the shop all the time and it works great.
#11
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: In the middle of Minnesota!
Posts: 5,805
Received 99 Likes
on
88 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Not trying to be an alarmist but this has been and will continue to be my recommendation:
If a factory 0331 cylinder head comes off a 2000 or 2001 4.0 engine, it should NOT go back on.
These heads are dogs, plain and simple. I've worked on a number of them. Will all 0331 heads crack? Absolutely not. But enough of them to to make me NOT have one of these on my 4.0 engine. I reply to 5-10 threads a week on this issue. I'm a moderator on Jeeps Unlimited and here is a thread from that forum that is pertinent to read. Read this thread and then decide if you want to put this boat anchor back on your engine. I'm trying to save you from heartache down the line. Learn from the experience of others.
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=391831
The risk of that 0331 head cracking just isn't worth it folks. If the head checks out okay and you put it back on, it could bite you later. And the extra downside here isn't just replacing the head when it cracks, it's replacing or rebuilding the engine as coolant mixes with oil and toasts the engine bearings in very short order.
Do it right. Get a beefed up head from either Clearwater Cylinder Head or Alabama Cylinder Head or source a used 0331 TUPY head (redesigned) from a Wrangler or a Grand 2003 or newer.
Then enjoy your XJ without the worry in the back of your mind about the head rearing it's ugly "head" once again.........The 0331 head is absolutely the weakest link on the 00-01 XJ.
If a factory 0331 cylinder head comes off a 2000 or 2001 4.0 engine, it should NOT go back on.
These heads are dogs, plain and simple. I've worked on a number of them. Will all 0331 heads crack? Absolutely not. But enough of them to to make me NOT have one of these on my 4.0 engine. I reply to 5-10 threads a week on this issue. I'm a moderator on Jeeps Unlimited and here is a thread from that forum that is pertinent to read. Read this thread and then decide if you want to put this boat anchor back on your engine. I'm trying to save you from heartache down the line. Learn from the experience of others.
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=391831
The risk of that 0331 head cracking just isn't worth it folks. If the head checks out okay and you put it back on, it could bite you later. And the extra downside here isn't just replacing the head when it cracks, it's replacing or rebuilding the engine as coolant mixes with oil and toasts the engine bearings in very short order.
Do it right. Get a beefed up head from either Clearwater Cylinder Head or Alabama Cylinder Head or source a used 0331 TUPY head (redesigned) from a Wrangler or a Grand 2003 or newer.
Then enjoy your XJ without the worry in the back of your mind about the head rearing it's ugly "head" once again.........The 0331 head is absolutely the weakest link on the 00-01 XJ.
Last edited by tjwalker; 06-13-2012 at 07:03 PM.
#12
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Republic of TEXAS
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Some of those coolant passages in both the head AND block look virtually plugged. Can u carefully open the passages in the block and once u have the head back from the machine shop and installed, flush the block thru the t-stat hole out the water pump hole?
#13
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Broward County Fl.
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
22 Posts
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Not trying to be an alarmist but this has been and will continue to be my recommendation:
If a factory 0331 cylinder head comes off the engine, it should NOT go back on.
These heads are dogs, plain and simple. I've worked on a number of them. Will all 0331 heads crack? Absolutely not. But enough of them to to make me NOT have one of these on my 4.0 engine.
The risk of that 0331 head cracking just isn't worth it folks. If the head checks out okay and you put it back on, it could bite you later.
Do it right. Get a beefed up head from either Clearwater Cylinder Head or Alabama Cylinder Head or source a used 0331 TUPY head (redesigned) from a Wrangler or a Grand 2003 or newer.
Then enjoy your XJ without the worry in the back of your mind about the head rearing it's ugly "head" once again.........
If a factory 0331 cylinder head comes off the engine, it should NOT go back on.
These heads are dogs, plain and simple. I've worked on a number of them. Will all 0331 heads crack? Absolutely not. But enough of them to to make me NOT have one of these on my 4.0 engine.
The risk of that 0331 head cracking just isn't worth it folks. If the head checks out okay and you put it back on, it could bite you later.
Do it right. Get a beefed up head from either Clearwater Cylinder Head or Alabama Cylinder Head or source a used 0331 TUPY head (redesigned) from a Wrangler or a Grand 2003 or newer.
Then enjoy your XJ without the worry in the back of your mind about the head rearing it's ugly "head" once again.........
#14
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
The air compressor idea sounds awesome...would it work with the coolant passages as well?
Thanks!
#15
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Republic of TEXAS
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
I'd suggest a small pick and a shop vac to remove crumbs as they break off. What crud that falls down into the water passages in the block will likely flush out the pump hole when u stick a garden hose in the stat hole.