take it to a shop and have them put a sniffer in the radiator, they can check for the presence of combustion gases. If they find any then the two most likely culprits are a blown head gasket or a cracked head. In either case... well, you know what happens next.

 

One method is to use a block tester, also known as a combustion leak tester, to determine if you have exhaust gases in your cooling system. A combustion test kit can be found at your local NAPA, auto parts store. The part number is 700-1006. The price for this part is less than $50.00. Exhaust gases in your cooling system can suggest a head gasket leak, a cracked block, or a warped head, etc. A leaking head gasket can create excessive heat and pressures exceeding the ability of the radiator’s cooling capacity, and should be repaired immediately to avoid additional costly repairs. Head gasket leaks are generally secondary to another problem, such as a clogged or leaking radiator. Make sure you identify and repair or replace the original problem or the vehicle may overheat and cause the head gasket to fail again.

To do the test, add the blue detector fluid to the (block-tester) plastic container according to the directions, and place it onto the radiator filler neck. The squeeze bulb is placed on top of the reservoir and squeezed repeatedly (Some block testers, have a tube that connects to a vacuum line instead of a squeeze bulb). Squeezing the bulb will draw air from the radiator through the test fluid. Block tester fluid is normally blue. Exhaust gases in the cooling system will change the color of the fluid to yellow, indicating a combustion leak. If the fluid remains blue, exhaust gases were not present during the test. The vehicle should be started and at operating temperature before performing the test. Vehicles with head gasket leaks may overheat, and purge hot water and steam out of the radiator. Perform this test, at your own risk, and do not do the test, unless you are experienced and are wearing clothing and equipment to protect you from burns, or injury. For an overheating specialist in your area that is familiar with this procedure go to http://www.narsa.com.

Sometimes, engines with a head gasket leak show steam, water or white smoke exiting the exhaust pipe. Other symptoms include coolant in the oil, or oil in the radiator coolant.

 

Thats the directions I got with that kit from Napa. Its a foolproof way to do it.

 

Here's a bit of newly compiled 0331 cracked head info for anyone interested.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/00-...erview-118922/

 

i have been driving it a little and realized the radiator needed to be filled and its still draining a little. problem has been found i noticed my pipe rotting away and fast with a white powder around it.

i need a new head gasket set -_-

its burning it all off but need to get it fixed asap

 

Keep a close eye on your coolant level after you get ALL leaks fixed.

If you are still using coolant, I'd be very concerned about a cracked 0331 head. It is NOT uncommon with the 00-01. The #1 symptom of a cracked 0331 head is "unexplained coolant loss".

 

i was debating on replacing the head anyways or not

 

Mine does this as well, any one have any ideas?

 

Think about it!
There are 4 things that can leak from a cracked head or just a bad head gasket. You cannot tell which - head or gasket - without taking it apart!

Water/coolant can leak into a cylinder, or leak into the oil, or to the outside world - you'll see that. Or a combination of 2 or 3.
Oil can leak into a cylinder, into the coolant, or to the outside world - or a combination thereof.
Compression can leak into - coolant or oil, or the outside world - or into another cylinder.

Milky, low compression, misfire, coolant loss, oil in the water, high oil level, steam etc are all symptoms, but you cannot diagnose by that.

YOU CANNOT TELL FROM JUST WISHING - or asking on the internet - you have to take it apart and LOOK.


.

 

I concur, get your hands dirty, sooner is better than later!

 

its parked for now i have my blue one out now, i just dont have the time to take it apart right now with 37hrs of work and starting school next week.

sorry im in a bad moo about this and from 1 to 10 how hard are head gasket replacements on the 4.0?

 

Not too hard if you can fallow directions that you can get here or do a Google search. I would say maybe a 4.5 outta ten. You will need a 1/2 12 point deep socket to get the head bolts if I remember.

 

I always get the head set a re seal everything. In my opinion getting the injectors all to seal without tearing any of the o rings is harder than the head gasket.