I previously posted about some overheating issues with my 99 XJ. The coolant flush didn't solve the problem and it blew a head gasket. The previous owner had replaced radiator, fans, water pump. With hindsight being 20/20 I'm assuming he had been chasing down an overheating issue, which was not disclosed to me but I really should have been more educated prior to making this purchase. Anyway, I now find myself thinking about either scrapping the jeep altogether or replacing/rebuilding the engine. I've read several cautionary tales on this forum about crate engines (especially Jasper) so I contacted a local machine shop to inquire about a rebuild, still waiting on an estimate. Just wanting to poll the forum on their experience with this sort of thing. The jeep seems to be in otherwise decent condition - a bolt looks like it may have snapped on the AC compressor and some plastic for the mounting on the power steering pump (I'm assuming from the very violent shaking that happened from a couple overheats and when head gasket blew). Do you recall the cost (if you had it done elsewhere) for machine shop rebuild and engine replacement? Satisfied with the results/wish you had done something different? Please enlighten me.

 

Personally, if the local machine shop has a good reputation, you will be 100% better off that a "built" crate motor. If you have a problem, you have a local shop, with a crate motor....your at the bottom of a big hill to get anything done after the sale.
just my two copper slugs worth...

 

You can typically get a master rebuild kit for around $600 including cam and lifters. Past that its just gaskets and machine work that will be needed. So call it $1000 in parts for the rebuild, figure another $250 for a bore, $250 to balance the rotating assembly, $300 for a valve job and another $100 to surface the block. I would say a typical shop charges around $1200 for assembly. So figure a rebuild is going to run you $3000-3500 through a shop.

 

I just found a guy selling a rebuilt 99 grand cherokee 4.0 inline 6 engine for 1200. Googling makes me think this will go in my 99 cherokee (that currently has the 4L inline 6 also) but I wanted to check here to be sure.

 

Will not fit. Has to be a 98 or older if it came out of a Grand.

You can thank Cruiser for the info.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/che...bility-236512/

 

How many miles ?

How bad was the overheat ?

You might just be able to get away with a head gasket change, not ideal I know, but you will be back on the road

I would probably prefer to do at least a compression, or preferably leakdown test before dismantle

If the rings got cooked they will leak

How is the oil and coolant ?

 

Thanks very much 5-Speed and Cruiser. I told the guy I pass.

AWG: Overheat was pretty bad. It happened a couple times where I was able to pull over immediately. That lead me to replacing thermostat and performing coolant flush. The previous owner had put water in and there was lots of orange debris in it. The last time it overheated was bad. I was stuck at a traffic light at a very busy intersection, tried to move through to find safe spot to stop and radiator blew. I don’t know if this was because of head gasket or head gasket happened right at that moment too. A mechanic I know steered me away from just replacing the head because of the potential for abuse the jeep suffered from prior owner. Neither the oil or coolant had any evidence of the failed head gasket prior to the blow. After replacing the radiator I started it and it vibrated violently and then started pouring thick white smoke out the tailpipe.

 

I agree another motor is probably needed

That why I bought a spare engine for $300 when I had the chance, its sat for years under cover, but if mine goes bang, I will slip it right in there

I saw an excellent XJ on a car trailer, ******** bought it for $100, and was having it crushed next day, I tried to deal with him but he was the ultimate redneck ****wit

 

I don't know where you are located, but in our area we have community colleges with auto mechanics classes. Buying a short block and all the other required parts and having the college rebuild it is a particularly inexpensive way to go,if you have the time... Contacting the instructors is usually the best way. Sometimes they can't and sometimes they can depending on what they are working on. Just a thought...might help, might not.

 

Thanks very much for that info, I would not have thought of that.