abigbadzebra

I've been lurking for quite a while, gathering information about Cherokees. When I first started I read some information that made me stick to the 96-98 year range. I believe it was stated there were problems with the heads or cylinders in some of the 99-01 engines. Can someone clarify for me.. and does anyone know how severe the occurrence of these problems are? I ask because I am having a hard time finding one in that year range. They pop up, and are usually gone before I can get to them.

Moving on, I am looking at a 2001 Cherokee, blue, 127k miles, 4x4 today after work. I'm confident in my ability to check over a car but is there anything I should specifically be looking for, especially for that particular year?

The only negative thing the ad mentions is the AC not working. I'm going to have to fix that as the summers here in NC are terribly hot and humid. Hopefully it just needs a recharge.

Appreciate the help,
K

abigbadzebra

Would really appreciate any input. I'll be leaving to see it in a few hours. I did run a Carfax and it has been with the owner (2nd owner) for about 6 years. Nothing stood out on the Carfax otherwise except it was a corporate lease vehicle for the first 40k miles of it's life in Michigan. Ad states it is rust free but I will be checking throughly, including under the carpet on floorboards.

I'm most concerned with the issues I've heard about the later year models (99-01). Is this a deal-breaker?

Thanks,
Kirk

MonacaYankee

The 99's did not have the head problems. Only the 00-01s. The head problems are common enough for lots people to know about.

Check for rust. Be sure 4x4 works without problems. Rev it a couple times to make sure it does not have any idle recover problems. If it is a manual, let the clutch out quickly. It should stall immediately, if it doesn't the clutch is pretty worn. Be prepared to dump some money on the ac.

It should start up after 1 turn.

If you can find a 98-99, go for them.

abigbadzebra

Are the heads from the earlier models swappable?

Rmart30

heads from earlier models are swappable with some modifications. But
its easier to buy a updated 0331 head which is $400 off ebay or from alabama cylinder head. Its a 4-5 hr job to replace it and its a direct fit, no modifying brackets plug rails etc.

its 50/50 on problems with the 0331 head... I have 2 with the 0331 heads. A 01 w/200k on it , and a 00 with 160k on it.........both have the original heads on them and have had no problems.

On the one you are looking at ck the oil for milky looking and pull off the fill cap and look for milky or a green coolant tint. If that looks good and everything else passes and the price is dropped some for non working ac go for it.

abigbadzebra

Appreciate the reply Rmart.

My next question was going to be if they made a stronger replacement, so thanks for that info.

abigbadzebra

Well, just got back from seeing the Jeep. Wanted to check in to get some info from you guys. Keep in mind this is the first Cherokee I've ever touched. It started right up and idled good. Didn't appear to be leaking fluids. No rust, straight body. Here were the things of concern I noticed:

First thing I noticed when I started it was a very light knock which sounded to be coming from the back drivers side of the engine. I could hear it from underneath but not if I was hovering over the engine bay. Couldn't hear it while driving or anything.

Second, the steering seemed to be all over the place. I wasn't constantly fighting it but had to correct and the steering accuracy seemed sub-par. Similar to my dad's old94 F-150... maybe this is a truck thing???

Third, When coming to a stop sometimes the idle would dip to around 500, as if the tranny was dropping gear too late. Also, sometimes when accelerating from a stop I hear something pop from the front end.

Fourth, the temperature guage pretty much read 210 the entire time. Probably normal but wanted to make sure.

Everything else seemed to check out. I'm thinking of walking away from this one because of the above concerns but not sure if these are just Jeep things. I might walk away anyway because I was told that I would have to fight to get them to go lower than $4k. I think I may go check out a 94 that I found for $1500 and compare the engine noise, steering, etc.

I want a Jeep bad, but not enough to jump into something I'm gonna regret. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Kirk

darknezz

Every older truck, blazer, jeep and similar the steering isnt great, it might need the steering box tightend up a bit and that will help, but for the most part I think its just that kind of steering system. Especially if your used to sport cars with rack and pinion steering.

I'd go for the 94' and try to get him to lower it more unless it has really low miles or is just perfect or has mods.

For comparison I got my 89 jeep for $240 bucks. Its decently clean, NO RUST, runs good, drives alright. Everything works for the most part, I'm having issues with the heater only working sometimes, and the cabin lights dont work. I had to clean up and lube all the power locks to.

ChadXJ

4k is too much.

I have a 2000 XJ, that just hit 80,000 miles. I bought it for 3k

Just needed new tires. Those problems your seeing with that jeep are going to cost you some dough. I would invest in something that might cost you 800-1000 to fix unless you do it yourself prob about 400 or less.


my 2 cents

steve_k_37801

I have an 01 with 149k on it. Mine is all stock. I don't seem to have many of those problems except the a/c. Mine is a switch that is not operating correctly. I love my Jeep. I also had a 91 which I loved also. Lol. But good luck with which ever you choose.

claygrassmann

i would go with the 94 personally i have two 93's and they are easy to work on so if something does go wrong itll be easy to do

ChadXJ

Yeah bud. I own a 2000 XJ

Only problems i've had was a replacement on the Alternator.

Mine has really low miles 80k so I won't have real problems until later if any.

A 93 is a old vehical these days. Depend on what you decide YOU want.

87cherokee14

the pop and the loose steering sounds to me like a work track bar. i know my 87's is bad and it pops all the time and the steering is very loose right now.

claygrassmann

oh yeah i kno its an old vehicle these days but at 140 k the only real problems ive had was a new radiator which is as common for that year as a alternator is for yours i just like the older styles and looks, to me it looks more rugged and utilitarian like myself, so to each his own and thats just my style