I know the guys at firestone and I trust a few of them. Been going there to get oil changes for years.

Yes I forgot a bolt. I'm sure it's been done before. I think it belongs behind the pump. I need to look at the service manual.

 

You need to go back and check your work. Sure it's been done before. I would double check everything before you attempt to fire it up...

 

Ok. This flush is taking a while. I'll be checking to see where this bolt belongs. Report back later

 

Picture of extra bolt ?

 

OK, WNJE. This has officially become a real nightmare now.

Extracting that broken bolt out of the head, and finding where you left one out, is a LOT different than a tire rotation or an oil change at your Firestone dealer.

You are not going to like this, and some of the Forum posters won't either, but:

You are in over your head. You need to call your local Jeep dealer and tell them what you've done. Make a service appointment. Have your Jeep towed on a flatbed/rollback to them. Don't try to do anything else to it. All the RTV in the world, and only one bolt, will not keep the coolant from leaking out under pressure. You'll probably have a cold water leak anyway. This is going to cost you pretty good, so go by the bank and Just Empty Every Pocket.

Second tactic: Replace the head with a new one. I still think yours is cracked which is causing the overheating. That way you're killing two birds with one stone.

 

Getting the broke bolt out is deff priorty 1. Its still early a good mechanic could have it done today if it possible to get xj there . Tell them thats all you need done nothing else. Dont let them sell you any thing else PERIOD.

 

Good mechanics don't work on Sunday.

She's done for now, until Monday morning.

 

Did you ever get the thermostat off?
Can you turn the exposed threads with vice grips?? I break bolts all the damn time. Not a big deal unless I need to drill and tap the hole, and even still - usually not the end of the world.

I would find a competent private mechanic before ever setting foot inside of a Firestone. Look for 4x4 shops and speedshops, Firestone mechanics can barely perform basic maintenance without screwing everything up.

 

I think it's probably a good idea in this case, believe it or not. I would try to find a competent private party mechanic first, however...the stealership will rape your wallet...
THIS FIRST. IMHO.
Firstly, don't even try giving her the idea she can fix this...she is in way too deep for her experience level. She needs to cut her losses and fly the white flag here.

Second, completely agree with the Firestone mechanics. You may know them, and they may have earned your trust, but this is a lot different than just an oil change, alignment or tune-up, and I wouldn't even trust those monkeys to touch my car with even those simple tasks, if I could help it at all.

 

The reason I suggested a Jeep dealership is, if they screw up, they have the money to fix it and they have a reputation to uphold.

I don't think she has the knowledge to safely select an independent mechanic at this point.

At this point, a possible few dollars extra per hour for labor for an established dealership isn't really an issue here.

 

Like I said, it's probably a viable option at this point. Pay now or pay later kind of thing. I agree wholeheartedly, sir.

 

I think some posters should pay attention to what has happened here. Sometimes the best technical advice is to tell a poster to not attempt a repair that is beyond them. These are old vehicles and fasteners are frozen all over damn place. Encouraging a novice to start ripping into components with beginner skills and tools will often end up in disaster. Expensive disaster.

 

No, I believe you are wrong to criticize us over this. We have not encouraged her. We have, in fact, tried to get her not to do this. All we are doing is answering her (many, repetitive) questions. Trying to give her the best advice we can, over the internet.

In the final analysis, it is HER Jeep, HER money and time, and HER desire to work on it HERSELF. She has the freedom of choice to do whatever she wants to, to HER Jeep.

You learn by doing. I can't count how many times I have gotten myself into a trick bag working on a vehicle. Still do. Sometimes it is an expensive lesson, but I did get the experience.

It doesn't take an ASE certified mechanic with a Snap-On box with $30,000 worth of tools to change a water pump or thermostat on one of these engines. But yes, things can happen when working on any vehicle, especially if it is over 7, maybe 10 years old or older.

 

Well stated.

 

Alright fellas. I removed the lower bolt on the t-stat housing then gently tried to separate the housing from the valve cover/manifold by gently tapping on a screw driver with a hammer. It begun to loosen up by it would only turn from left to right, not separate. So I will leave this job for the experts.


Next, here is a picture of the snapped off piece vs. the piece that is still stuck in the housing. Now, looking at this do you think I can ride it about 4 miles to the shop?


Also, I found where the missing bolt belonged, lol! In this pulley (pic #3)


I won't stop until I'm an expert!