thehighlander123

After pulling my hair out trying to find a leak in my cooling system as evidenced by a somewhat sporadic loss of coolant im starting to learn towards a head crack. I have the infamous 2001 0331 head which as ive read is prone to cracking.
(My oil isnt milky btw)

So0o heres my questions.

How can I make positively sure I have a cracked head?

If I have a head crack what are my best options as far as acquiring a replacement head? (new or used?)

And what is the best what to check is the head crack (if present) has damaged any other engine parts (ie bearing and such)

Thanks fellas

-Rob

beatricethexj

I had a mystery coolant loss on my 01 as well, but the oil wasn't milky. I did a compression test on it to check. If everything is running well and the compression test comes back fine, it might be your freeze plug (I think that is what its called) on you block.

thehighlander123

How did you narrow it down to the freeze plugs?

00SportXJ

I'm going through the same thing with my 2000. There is no noticeable crack on the head, but the oil pan has about 1 1/2 inches of sludge in the bottom. The crazy part is the oil isn't milky.

If you have a second car, it's smart to pull the engine and check the bearings and everything else while you're at it (if it isn't your freeze plugs). I'm glad I did. For example, the timing chain is shot on mine and didn't give any indications before actually seeing it.

As for the head, I'm going to go with the Odessa Ebay one. $425 isn't bad for a completely fresh head and piece of mind.

Gee oh Dee

Moved to OEM Tech.

thehighlander123

I do not have a second car but I know you can pull the oil pan. is that enough to check atleast the lower end bearings?

Gee oh Dee

Yeah, should be.

beatricethexj

I had seen some other folks on here mystery loosing coolant and found a leak there. I never actually tracked mine down. It was pushed off a mountain before I figured it out.

scheetz_21

I had a cracked head on my 2000 to,engine was full of sludge.. No milky oil ever tho.just mysteriously leaking.. In till I put dye in the cooling system and my head and oil turned green The head was so bad u could almost not see the rockers under the sludge.. I went with an Odessa head great deal! Brandnew head and runs better than ever. I suggest Odessa for sure! Easy job to.. While its off replace the head studs/bolts, thermostat housing, get a good head gasket.. And pb blaster your Ac bolts if u got it.. They usually break lol!! Good luck!