UPDATE: I ran a combustion leak test on the Jeep today and the tests turned out positive which confirm my early fears of a blown head gasket!

I've never attempted a head gasket replacement before but seeing as garage costs would equal the value of the XJ it's DIY or bust as far as I'm concerned.

If anyone can assist me by pointing out some helpful instructive links or videos specific to the 4.0l Cherokee I'd be most grateful!

Thanks all

 

I'll private message you soon.

 

I'm still in the process of reading up and acquiring parts for the various jobs ahead of me but I started the XJ this morning to re-assess the situation and I noticed that the oil leak from the oil filter adapter is quite severe.

The red arrows illustrate where the oil is seeping from. Can the adapter be tightened or is this a sign of something more terminal?

 

Drain your oil into a clean receptacle (I'm assuming you dont want to waste it) and remove your filter just like you were doing an oil change. Degrease the area and see if there's a way to remove that. It could be a bad gasket or something. Is there anything in the fsm that covers that thing?

 

Got the new head gasket man?

 

You probably need to replace the o-rings:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/oil...pter-fix-4338/

You'll need the o-ring kit - part #4720363

 

Further investigation suggests that the adapter seals will need replacing. Possibly just a coincidence that it happened along with everything else. Typical!

Not yet mate, to be honest I've been digesting the extent of work involved from the very useful link you sent me and I'll be honest, I'm procrastinating. Time, effort and money required to rectify all the apparent faults may lead to the scrapping of our beloved Jeep but I'm still weighing it up. I just need to find a few free weekends to dedicate to the tasks at hand.

Excellent, thanks for that. I should have utilised the search function before panic posting! At least it seems relatively routine.

 

Ack, don't scrap it man!

 

May just try the thermastat mine did it and said i had a leak but i replaced the thermastat first and it fixed it and it was only $30 compared to all the work

 

I'm exercising emotions right now and the fault finding mission keeps bringing new material. I worked out where the smoking was coming from though. It stems from the 's' bend in the exhaust just after the exhaust manifold. I couldn't establish whether it was just the oil leak working its way down there from the oil filter adapter and burning off or if there's a hole in the section. The smoke isn't streaming out though, more plumes of smoke emanating from a larger surface area.

I hope it's just the oil burning off...

I've yet to experience any overheating issues though? If I'm ripping things apart anyway it would be prudent to replace the stat whilst the hands are spannering! * Edit - I've just re-read your post and realised it was in reference to the leak. Revelation to follow...

Oh, on the plus side I think I've worked out the cause of the gushing coolant leak. I found that the lower rad hose had an internal vertical split which was not noticeable from its exterior. New one ordered, I hope that puts an end to that little mischief.

It amazes me how so many issues have decided to rear their ugly heads all at the same time. It's a Jeep conspiracy I tell you!

 

Just to throw something on the to do list, I'd check and see if water pump is leaking at the weep hole.

 

Where is this weeping hole???

Just to offer up some kind of progress report on this. I drained the Jeep of fluids to attempt a fix on the Oil Filter Adapter and to sort out the coolant leak first and foremost. The reason for this is because the vehicle is currently parked up on a side street from my home and if I am to work on it properly I need to get it in a driveable condition to make the 6 mile journey home to my parent’s house where I would then have space to take on larger jobs.

I worked out that the smoke was definitely from the pretty major oil leak from the adapter and the coolant loss was streaming from the top of the hose that connects to the bottom of the water pump.

I purchased a T60 torx bit to attempt the adapter O-ring fix. This is turning out to be the bane of my life already! It has spited me on two consecutive weekends and I have managed to snap and bend two ring spanners and snap a ¼” ratchet too. All with the aid of a 3’ breaker bar of course…

The torx bit only has a 10mm hex on the end to work with and I’m struggling to find anything to fit on the end to generate enough purchase in the tight recess. Red loctite on a service item? Thanks Chrysler…

The leaking rad hose is turning into a matter of ridicule. The hose I’m trying to replace is the one that connects the bottom of the rad to the water pump. (You know, the one with the internal spring which turns your coolant into a worrying shade of mud) I interpreted this as the ‘lower rad hose’. So I bought this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...T#ht_500wt_922

It was neither the right length or shape, so the genius in me thought that it must be the upper rad hose I needed in the picture it looked of a more similar shape. So I bought this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...T#ht_500wt_922

This doesn’t fit either!!! I’m now wondering whether there is a difference in parts between right hand drive and left hand drive vehicles but surely a UK ebay seller would have very little business in selling hoses for a LHD car over here?

Vexed, disheartened and short on knuckle skin.