So I just fixed a head gasket on my jeep, and during the test drive it overheated and died while I was pulling over. It was rattling a lot and the temp gauge shot to red from 210. I don't know what caused it but I'm replacing the tstat, mech fan, and water pump. I'm hoping it's not the radiator so I'm going to wait on that. If I start the engine right now though, it shakes violently like its trying to rip itself out. I don't think it's an engine mount cause it's pretty sturdy if I try shaking it on my own. It didn't shake before this happened and I have no idea why it's doing it. Any ideas jeep friends?

 

Try starting with the basics: year, engine. How did you "fix" the head gasket and why did you need to fix it? Some people add stop leak to "fix" a blown head gasket, some replace the gasket. Tell us more.

 

2000, 4.0 straight six. I physically replaced the head gasket by taking off the head and putting a new one on. I had to replace it because I took it to a shop and they said it was blown. I'm guessing it overheated when it blew. I wasn't there when it happened, my wife was driving home from work, it died once, she got it turned back on and then it died at the gate when she stopped.

 

Is this the second time you replaced the head gasket? Didn't you rebuild this in June, then it overheated? And now you replaced the head gasket again?

 

It's still after the first time I did it. I'm hoping it isn't blown again.

 

Have you checked the compression? Is the oil milky?

I'm afraid, given your model year and how fast it overheated, you have a cracked head.

 

The whole engine might be toast now.

Quit fooling around. Pull the engine, rebuild the short block with good components, and buy a brand-new aftermarket head from Clearwater or another trusted source.

Anything else is just more time and money wasted on your part.

If you're not willing and/or able to do that, see if anyone will buy a major project for $1000.00.

 

Read up on the 0331 head that was installed on the 2000 and 2001 XJs. You're describing the classic 0331 head crack situation. Because the 4.0L has a reputation for being nearly bulletproof, mechanics who don't know about the 0331 head often misdiagnose it as a blown head gasket. That actually happened to me, with TWO experienced mechanics getting it wrong.

As Firestorm said, unfortunately the noises and vibration you describe sound like the motor is toast. I agree you need to start thinking about an engine swap. Do NOT replace it with a used motor out of a 2000 or 2001 UNLESS the head on that motor has been swapped to an earlier 0630 head, a later 0331 TUPY head or an aftermarket Clearwater head. If you replace it with a used 2000 or 2001 motor that still has its original casting 0331 head on it, you'll end up back here again down the road.

I feel your pain. It happened to me. I made lemonade out of lemons and dropped in a stroker that makes me smile every time I open it up.