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head gasket or am i getting screwed over

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Old 10-01-2013, 02:29 PM
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Default head gasket or am i getting screwed over - UPDATE

87 cherokee pioneer. Brought it in for a 3 inch lift. in the process, they said i needed new brake lines to accommodate the lift. Then they say i need a new water pump.

They have had the jeep almost a week because now they say that i might have a blown head gasket.

There is no oil in the coolant or vice versa. It started to over heat 3 weeks ago because the pressure cap on the coolant reservoir wasn't working or whatever cap it is that releases the pressure. No smoke or water coming from the exhaust

I drove it 45 minutes from home to the shop that is doing the work with no problems. Last month took it camping for a 2 hour drive, no problems.

They have had the Jeep for almost a week because they say if they drive it for 10 minutes to get the alignment done, it will blow up.

Getting fed up and have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. The moment we brought it it, the mechanic offered us $1400 right away before we started anything. Wondering if he is trying to scare us enough to sell.

Last edited by lolieworm; 10-02-2013 at 11:28 AM. Reason: to post update
Old 10-01-2013, 02:51 PM
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Sounds like what you think, tell them you will go with them when they do the alignment, if it's giving you no problems in the past, it sounds me like they are trying to scam ya
Old 10-01-2013, 03:03 PM
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Have it flat bed towed out of there to a shop that won't try and pop a d**k in your ****.
Old 10-01-2013, 04:20 PM
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If the pressure cap is leaking it will over heat. I would bring a new cap and take it for a drive to see how it runs. It probably never needed the water pump. If they are finished with the lift I would pick it up and get it allined my self.
Old 10-01-2013, 05:36 PM
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There is no way ten minutes of driving it would do that. If it was that bad It wouldn't run right.
Old 10-01-2013, 06:31 PM
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Standard Cherokee warm up time is in the 5-10 min range depending on location, driving style, tranny etc. It could overheat in 10 mins but from a liability stand point they don't wanna drive it. I'd go put a new cap on it and take it to a real mechanic for alignment.
Old 10-01-2013, 06:43 PM
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Shops like that scare me. There's quit a few scam artist shops in my state. I live an hour from baltimore and washington dc and around around here knock off shops are like gas stations. There's one on every corner. A friend of mine had a shop do some work on his motor at a place like this and it was a huge fiasco. He took it in for water pump and a new radiator and they said it needed head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, new exhaust, new heater core, ac system serviced along with ten other things to give you an idea. Tried to make him pay 4 grand for non sense. After dealing with the cops amd getting his truck back it blew up not 100 miles later. He sent a sample of the oil out and got results that valve lapping compound was dumped in the oil. Stuff is like running metal sand I hear. Got a lawyer, sued the guy, went to court and got just under 11 k after court costs and lawyer fees.
Luckily where I live theres a mennonite owned shop and they really know there stuff. They can't lie to you cause if they do they will go to hell.
Old 10-02-2013, 10:53 AM
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Default UPDATE

Now they say that it's not really overheating. The moment they start the Jeep up, the coolant in the resevoir/overflow tank starts to bubble/burp. So they shut it down.

They ordered a new cap to see if that works.

From what i've read, it is just air in the system and have heard that you have to let it bubble up to get the air out.

I am just getting frustrated and pms-ing !!!!

Honestly, the hubby is the more mechanical one, I am the soccer mom that drives it. Just wanted to put that out there in case you are thinking this person doesn't know much about Jeeps

Either way, we are going out tonight to get it back somehow.
Old 10-02-2013, 02:20 PM
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[QUOTE=lolieworm;2628071]

They ordered a new cap to see if that works.

[QUOTE]

I would NOT let them order any parts or touch anything else on the Jeep.
Old 10-02-2013, 02:51 PM
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[QUOTE=Big David;2628235][QUOTE=lolieworm;2628071]

They ordered a new cap to see if that works.


I would NOT let them order any parts or touch anything else on the Jeep.
I know we agree we don't want them to touch anything else on the Jeep. But since this seems as a possible problem, it was best for them to get it ahead of time for us.

We are going to be going there tonight.
Old 10-02-2013, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by CCKen
Have it flat bed towed out of there to a shop that won't try and pop a d**k in your ****.
My advice, too.
Old 10-02-2013, 02:53 PM
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[QUOTE=lolieworm;2628259][QUOTE=Big David;2628235]
Originally Posted by lolieworm

They ordered a new cap to see if that works.

Get a 703-1396 cap from Napa and I bet your problems will be over.



I know we agree we don't want them to touch anything else on the Jeep. But since this seems as a possible problem, it was best for them to get it ahead of time for us.

We are going to be going there tonight.
Old 10-02-2013, 02:54 PM
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Get a 703-1396 cap from Napa and I bet your problems will be over.
Old 10-03-2013, 05:09 AM
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Have they done a compression test to see if it even needs a head gasket?
Old 10-03-2013, 06:09 AM
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Yeah going to pick it up today.
Hubby went last night to see for himself what was going on.
Turns out it was an air pocket in the system.
While they jacked up the back of the truck to "burb" it, they didn't open the thermostat (i think that is what you had to open)

After they did that, it ran like a champ. They did find an exhaust leak which was good because we knew we had one, but hubby couldn't find it.

All in all in was a painful experience as in having to wait over a week for something that should have taken a day or two. But they nicely compensated by reducing the invoice significantly.

All i really care about is that it is back to running like it was before and i get it back.

Thank you to all on this thread and forum that helped out.


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