Ok guys. I'm a new member, but look at Cherokee Forum all the time for issues I've had with my 1999 Cherokee 4.0. Here's my question: I'm really not mechanical at all, usually taking my Jeep in to get fixed when it needs it (which it rarely does). However, now I have what I am almost 99% sure is a blown head gasket.

About a month ago, we went over the mountains to go to Eastern Washington (we live in Seattle) and I overheated at the top of the pass. Put more coolant in and eventually made it into town (after several overheats). Took it to a shop in the small town we were in and the guy changed my thermostat, after running a compression test to make sure my gasket wasn't blown. On the way home, it overheated again and did so several times until we made it over the pass.

I took it to a shop back home and he thought it was the cooling fan - my A/C doesn't work, so he rigged it so the cooling fan motor would be switched on by bypassing the A/C (I think - as I said, I'm not mechanical)..It ran ok for a week and then died one day as I was driving it (after my tempurare light came on). Finally got it started again (after putting more coolant in) and limped home. Now, I have white smoke, which reeks like antifreeze, coming out of the tailpipe and engine when I drive it. My oil seems fine (it's not milky-colored) and when I start the engine with the radiator cap off, no water shoots out of the radiator. However, in talking with a few people, everyone seems to think it's the head gasket.

I got a couple quotes to fix it ranging from $1,500 to $2,000. I don't have that kind of money right now and was wondering if changing a head gasket is sonething that I could do - even though I don't know what the hell I'm doing...lol.

Also, I'm sure this idea will get shot down pretty quickly, because people who actually know how to work on engines seem to despise these kind of things, but I have a buddy who owns an older Land Rover and he had a blown gasket and used a product called K-Seal in it and it's worked great for the past 10,000 miles or so. Is it worth trying?

Thanks

 

Unfortunately you have a 99 which has the 0331 head that is if it was manufactured after mid 99 that are know to crack when over heated. More then likely you cracked the head and maybe worst since you kept running it. With a little luck you wont have to replace the complete engine. Hopefully you only crack the head.

 

Don't use k-seal it will cause you more problems down the road.and as you far as the headgasket goes its not hard to do just pick up a repair manual and read and read and then read some more till you got everything in your head it will save you alot of money and its so much better to just dig in your self you can YouTube it or just read and dont be afraid to try it for your self good luck and im sure you will be fine everyone has to start some place.

 

The vast majority of 99 XJ 4.0 engines do NOT have the 0331 head. They have the 0630.

If you have a distributor and not a coil pack system, you have the 0630 head. You can confirm it quickly by cleaning the area along the lip of the cylinder head about midway back. Use a good light and you will be able to read the stamping number.

A compression test should be performed again to diagnose this. Or a cylinder leakdown test which is better yet. You need an accurate diagnosis before proceeding! Failure to do so will likely result in wasted time and money.

And do NOT use a sealer. It is a poor bandaid that will likely clog your heater core and cooling system. Diagnose it properly and repair it properly. No shortcuts.

Good data = good decisions.

 

Tanks guys - one question: what is causing it to stall? Last time it did it, it died, but then restarted after a few minutes. The temp light never came on, so it didn't seem to be overheating.

 

I would not advise you to attempt the job, then.