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.

 

weres pics of gasket?

 

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!

 

first and last ones.

 

crack shows on otherside off head

 

as in the top? by the rockers? everything is fine over there...no visible cracks anywhere...then again I haven't scrubbed it down yet.

 

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:

 

Thanks mate, that's my next step. Seafoam has done wonders for me in the past...will be doing it again!

 

not the head, the gasket it self ?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?

 

ive never had the missfortune to no any one with one but i dont think i take the chance either

 

some of them on the block are clogged solid, and are very hard. Should I take extra caution to not get debris down into the block? Good way to clear those passages?

The air compressor idea sounds awesome...would it work with the coolant passages as well?


Thanks!

 

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.