snakestyles

My 19933 Cherokee has been running rough. I checked fluids and noticed there was oil being blown onto the air filter. I checked ccv breather and fresh air intake and they werent clogged. I took the valve cover off and thats when I knew I had a huge problem, there was coolant in the engine block that started leaking when I took it off. My valve cover gasket was also brittle and cracked. I drained my oil and there was definitely coolant in the oil. I know I most likely have a blown head gasket. Is there any chance it might be a cracked head? How can I tell? Or maybe the radiator is leaking it somewhere?

winston427

Did'nt you already ask about this earlier?

snakestyles

I was being more descript because I have more details, thanks again for not helpin

losingxinsight

Maybe he doesn't know the answer. Next time just edit your post before and explain you added more details to everyone.

snakestyles

Thanks, like it says by my name, Im a newbie.

losingxinsight

No problem man.

winston427

No need to get upset. We are all here to help. You should have added details to your first thread intead of starting a new one. That way more people can see the progress of diagnosing the problem and offer a additional information.

And yes it could be a cracked head, or just a blown head gasket. Has the vehicle overheated recently? If so, did it get hot enough to boil over?

98 JeepJeep

you wont know about the head being cracked untill you remove it...even then it needs to be magnafluxed.....that year doesnt have a cracking issue...

snakestyles

I did not know I could edit my posting. Anyways I havent had any problems with over heating. First sign of trouble was I checked my dipstick and there was oil residue all the way up it which now I realize was oil and coolant. Then I started noticing oil in places they shouldnt be (air filter, ccv breather valve, etc..,). I need to figure out how the coolant made it to the engine.

winston427

How long have you owned this Jeep? The previous owner may have abused it and pawned their problems off on you.

MISFITXJ

ya man there is no way to really tell till you pull the head and get it looked at by a shop, or can see the gasket is bad.

ol"blue

I'd do a compression check before pulling the head. That way you'll have something to reference in case the head isn't cracked. JMO

dyte2004

no matter if you have a blow gasket or cracked head the head need too come off so you may as well just get stuck in to it lol, from what i have read in the hanyes book its not that hard to remove the head yourself but if your not competent i would have someone else check the head and refit it good luck with you problem

cpnwrench

Hey S-styles,

I agree with these guys, but first things first,

yes, you definitely have a bad valve cover gasket from your description.
Replace.

If condition above is true then remove the head, clean block surface best you can (razor blade and "brake-kleen" and a crapload of elbow grease and rags).
Get new Head gasket. (while you have all this apart, might be good time for new thermostat, hoses, belts, plugs, wires, cap, timing cover gasket, etc).

You will have to re-fill coolant so flush system out too.....(after head is in place)

so now you have all the prep done, ready to put head back on.

you should have had machine shop do pressure test on head while you were cleaning up all that other stuff.

More than likely the head is ok, chrysler mfgd those blocks and heads pretty damn tuff.

if you are lucky and head checks out ok ask if they can clean the head up for you (ask this when you bring the head in, i.e. "if head checks ok, can you clean it up for me?")

figure $100.00 for that work. maybe less.

IF head is cracked, you already have the block prepped for the new head!

just my 2 cents. and good luck!

cpnwrench

ol"blue

If you're going through all that work, have the shop do a valve-job if the head check's out OK. JMO