Background-
I've owned a 94 and 95 xj in the past and after totaling my car last weekend looking to get back in a xj.

The one I'm looking at is 2000 with 162,000 miles. The owner had a lift installed professionally by a local offroad shop. I know for sure it needs a new drivers side rocker. I'm wondering what I need to look for in the engine to ensure it will last me a few years. I have heard of the head issues but not sure how to ensure it's not already bad or going bad. I know the miles are kinda high but other than the rocker and a couple other minor issues the jeep is in pretty good shape and it's cheap.

Any help is appreciated

Im sure there are other threads like this but only way to post is from my phone and I couldnt get the search to work, so don't hurt the new guy

 

Comp check, smoke, oil cap dipstick condensation, oil color, knocks noise, tale-pipe carbon, "radiator full, cap off, power-break it, look for bubbles/gyser" Run smooth, Idle smooth,smoke after decelerating down hill? check leaks, coolant condicition oil there?, overall condition hoses belts wiring, radiator condition, kick wheel, Rev/listen. My 90 has about 262K.

What did I miss? AH! Leak-down test. And...

 

The only concern I would have is the head. Check the coolant and the oil. Make sure oil isn't milky. Make sure it isn't steaming out the exhaust. Take the radiator cap off and start it. Make sure there are no bubbles coming up as that would indicate a head gasket or cracked head. If that checks out, it has good oil pressure and runs good I'd say you're good to go

 

Thanks for the replies

The lift is warrientied also which is good, he did say he replaced the head gasket recently. It will definitely need the rockers replaced hoping that isn't too difficult or expensive

 

Not too hard to do

 

What's the normal running oil pressure I recall upon starting it should be right around 40 but what should it be at after warmed up ?

 

Between 12 and 25.... shouldn't be lower then twelve.. usually around 20

 

At a hot idle it should sit around 30 psi if everything is in tip-top shape. 20 psi would still be plenty acceptable though.

 

I've never seen one run over 25 at hot idle.... out of 6 I've checked out or worked on... most seem to idle around 20.. my 90 with 130k runs close to 25 though.

 

Mine does. It never drops below 30 even on hot days and long trips. It sits right at 40 when I first fire it up.

 

O yea, and oil pressure!

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I think we can make it down this hill without allot of throttle, honey.

 

What oil and filter? How many miles? I've seen a lot of cherokees that run great and hot idle 15psi... I guess I will change my range to 15-30 :-)

 

My 2000 Sport will run at 35psi at hot idle

 

Changing again...15-35... is it still that high even after 45+ minutes of driving?

 

The current owner said the head gasket was replaced. I'd be darn sure that there is not an actual problem with the head itself that was misdiagnosed as a head gasket problem; I've seen that more than a few times.

The 0331 cylinder head which comes from the factory on the 00-01 is very susceptible to cracking between cylinders 3-4, due to a casting defect in that area. An overheat of the engine almost guarantees a crack in that head. This forum and any XJ forum are full of threads relating to this issue. Be sure to educate yourself about it if you buy an 00-01.

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