Hey all, first post here..

I am looking at a '00 Cherokee Sport with 82k on her.. They were asking 5500, i told them i would do no more than $4000 and they called me telling me they take it. However a CEL sensor came on last week, i asked what the code was and I was told that it is a faulty spark plug wire and that the vehicle basically needs a tube up. Any thoughts?

The other is a '99 Sport with 290k on her for $500 with a blown head gasket. I really dont mind throwing a motor in it, i am just concerned with the mileage. I feel a i am asking for a multitude of other problems with mileage that high..

Also is it true some 99's have the 0331 troublesome head as well? How do you identify the head?

Any input would help thanks!

 

99-01's could have the 0331 head. You can identify it by looking just below the valve cover lip on the head. Pull back the insulation and you'll find the number stamping on the head about halfway down, near #4cylinder. Both may say "0331" there.
I say buy the nice, low mileage one. The cel light is minor, plus you just talked them down 30% off their price. If it makes you feel better, meet them at autozone so you can have the cel read for free and make sure its exactly what they tell you. It could be a $2 spark plug, or a set of wires or a coil pack.

 

buy both. A DD and a trail rig.

 

Wade carefully into an 00-01. There are a few on this forum and others that wish they hadn't. With no knowledge of the history of this 00, you could be buying somebody else's problem. If the CEL was easy enough to resolve, the owner will "usuallY' resolve it before listing it for sale.

The 00-01 can be fine, but they can also turn into a nightmare if the head cracks and isn't caught soon enough and toasts the engine bearings.

Knowledge is power. Plenty have told their stories.

Below is a link to the most comprehensive thread on the 0331 head.
It is in your best interest to read thread this before making that offer.

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=391831

 

If it were me, I'd look at the 2000. Yes, it has the infamous 0331 head. Yes, that's REALLY low miles for a 11 year old vehicle. Yes, the CEL just came on and the owners are hopefully telling the truth about it. But, none of those means it's a bad vehicle. Like tjwalker said, do your homework. Ask for maintenance records; meet at a parts store and get the code checked again; take a real good look at the entire cooling system (is it all original hoses and water pump, has the t-stat housing been opened); look very closely at the underside, door sills, and rockers for rust; get a CARFAX on it; test the 4wd system and listen for noises from the t-case and diffs; check every electrical component in the vehicle (windows, locks, mirrors, wipers, defrosters, fog lights if they're there, interior lights, cruise, ac - elec. fan should kick in). In other words, THOROUGHLY inspect the vehicle. it's my rule for any used vehicle I'm looking at. 2000's are nice, and unfortunately they caught a bad reputation due to the 0331 head. As long as it's been taken care of and it continues to be taken care of, it'll go forever, just like every other XJ that's taken care of.

 

Excellent advice above.^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

2000 Cherokees didn't come with spark plug wires but instead have coil packs sitting on the spark plugs. I don't know if the code would be implying that the coil packs are bad or what. Those should run about $200 if I recall correctly.

With that said I would still buy the 2000 and fix the problem causing the code and enjoy it. I just bought one myself and am working out the bugs still but love it driving it.

 

what will the '98-'99 heads have stamped on them?

 

x2 on the good advise. i always seem to make the mistake of not being methodical and thorough enough in my test drive/inspection. i do the basics like 4wd and run it thru the gears and give the engine a quick once over. but other stuff like trying the windows and locks (internal and external parts, like the key operated lock cylinder) from ALL doors and crawling under the vehicle with a flashlight and the knowledge of just what to look for. bringing it to a trusted mechanic is always a good thing. let them inspect it and see what they say. a good shop will usually do a pretty thorough job and do it for free... are the tires evenly worn? if you get somebody to turn the steering wheel while you look underneath do you see loose components and/or bad bushings? are the drive shafts nice and tight w/o any looseness or play? is there obvious rust or a lot of new parts?

 

a backup vehicle for parts or just as an extra car is never a bad thing. but with as many miles that are on the 99, id agree with the others in saying the 2k is the way to go. down the road, look for one like the 99 as many many parts are interchangeable and its always so sweet to walk into your backyard for a part as opposed to the JY!

 

In my opinion go with the 1999 you can tell the difference the 97-99 have 0630 stamped on the head an 0630 will have spark plug wires 0331s have coil packs and for 500 bucks fix the head gasket or a new motor which ever you prefer and get a nice lift wheels tires bumpers etc. for 3500 bucks and you'll have a very capable off road rig. Also to add the 2000 has a low pinion D30 the 99 has a high pinion.

 

a fair point. the money spent on the 2k could easily fix a lot, if not all the probs with the 99, and even get you some extras...

 

Or just by both and swap the front axle from the 99 over and then part it out.

 

I wouldn't fear the 0331 head on the 2000. As long as you change the oil regularly and check coolant and such it will be ok.

 

I'd go with the 2000 cherokee. Just my opinion but trying to fix the 99 is time consuming. But if you're making a jeep as a project go with the 99 otherwise as a dd go with 2000. Best of luck

 

Since the 99 and 00 are interchangeable parts, I would defiantly go for both. But if your looking for just a DD go for the 00 and like everyone else said, meet at a parts store and get it checked out. I have a 99 and I wish I had a parts car because in my local JY's, 98-01's are hard to come by