My first 4x4,and first Jeep. I sure wished I would of searched this form B-4 purchasing though. I see that this particular year is prone to have the head crack... How nice! I have 97,000 on the clock. All looks good for now. No evidence of coolant in oil. Resevoir level is staying at the same mark. Just knowing that I could have to deal with a cracked head at any time though, makes my stomach turn. Honestly if Id known this info B4 hand,I would not have purchased one,especially a 2000,although it is in outstanding condition inside and out,and runs and shifts very nicely. I tried uploading a pic, but it wouldnt let me.

 

How bout you look at your head to see if you have to worry about it. The casting numbers are on the side of the head. that will tell you if you need to plan to upgrade it in the future. To prevent reduce the danger of the Head failing. Do heat related preventive maintenance. If you keep the jeep from over heating you may never have an issue with the head.

 

Yes , the head will only get damaged due to extreme tempuratures as like most metals. Just do not run it like a race car and take car of it. Make sure you have quality coolant and H2o mix. Hell might as well flush the cooling system so you know what's in there. A good thermostat wouldn't be a bad idea too.

 

+/-$250 in parts and an afternoon replaces the entire cooling system including the rad. Pretty cheap insurance.

 

Yes I understand the importance of cooling preventive maint. But ive come across many posts on here that the owner was doing everything properly and still ended up with a cracked head. Its just dissapointing. I was so excited upon finding a low milage one in excellent conditon, now Im worried that I could be on the side of the road. I will most likely wait till I get the title in the mail and hopefully sell it to someone that like me was unfamiliar with this issue. Of course it will look suspicious having just bought it and within a few weeks selling it. But I figure as good of shape as its in and low miles,shouldnt be too much of an issue.

 

I have a 2000 XJ with 180,000 on it and it has had no problems with the head.It over heated once when a hose broke also.Don't worry about it,It may never happen.Just enjoy your XJ.

 

There are many 2000 XJ's on the road today without this problem. Don't overheat it & you should be O.K.

 

LOL! You sound like an idiot considering reselling it because you read you may get a cracked head. Remember everyone comes to cherokeeforum to compile problems they have had and how to fix them. Its not like you have a ratio to determine how many people have NOT made posts about their heads cracking.. I bet yours hits 200k very easily before having any problems with good maint.

 

lol

 

1. Not every 0331 head will crack

2. Cooling system maintenance is ALWAYS a great strategy, but it will NOT guarantee you that your 0331 head will not crack. Some with great maintenance and no overheats end up cracking. An overheat virtually guarantees a cracked head, but an 0331 head can absolutely crack without an overheat. It happens. The casting is weak between cylinders 3-4.

3. If you own an 00-01, commit this sentence to memory. The #1 symptom of a cracked 0331 head is "unexplained coolant loss".

4. Repeat above to yourself. Then at least weekly, pop the hood and check the level of coolant in the coolant reservoir. It takes all of 1 minute. If you catch it early, you can resolve it with a revised head and save the engine from destruction.

 

It is my personal opinion that the problem with the 0331 head is way overblown.

If you take care of your engine and don't let it overheat its unlikely you will have problems.


It's just like some people thinking the dana 35 is a complete piece of crap.

If you aren't putting big tires and lockers or welding the spider gears, the 35 will last as long as the rest of the jeep.

While there are some inherent weaknesses in each component, if maintained and not abused they will last a long time.

 

My 2000 had 130 k before head went but like everyone else radiator blew and sis-in-law kept driving it. Hot hot hot. Then replaced head immediately no prob since. 160 k now.

 

[QUOTE="tonyh45"]My 2000 had 130 k before head went but like everyone else radiator blew and sis-in-law kept driving it. Hot hot hot. Then replaced head immediately no prob since. 160 k now. Just pay attention and enjoy your xj.

 

Ya man it sucks. Mine cracked right before christmas. $450 for new cylinder head, $70 for all gaskets, $35 for head bolts, and throw in $35 for a syn oil change and new coolant, time that I don't have to rebuild my top end....PRICELESS, not really though. And yes it makes my stomach turn.

 

Ya, overblown, untill it happens to you. I had that same careless attitude and now im paying for it, literally. And that "inherent weakness" is called a manufacture defect. You know like a sticky toyota pedal.