Hi, I'm new to the site and I was wodnering what some common problems are with a 1989 jeep cherokee poneer. The engine is a 4.0. Just wondering what i can expect to replace in the future lol.

 

They are actually pretty reliable,the biggest problem is the cooling system primarily the plastic bottle,they seem to crack and leak alot,the caps also go bad. I have an 89 and that is the only thing that stands out. I changed mine out to a 91 style cooling system,it does not have the same problems and is much more reliable in my opinion.
The other things that come to mind are the doorlocks go out soon,and cruise control. Those are not items I do not use much though.

 

Common problems: Rear main seal leaks. Valve cover leaks. Oil filter adaptor leaks. Rear upper shock bolts break. Shackle bolts can break loose inside the body. Your cooling system is notorious for pressure bottle issues. The rear hatch lock can stick.

Dont forget everything else between your bumpers can break or stop working. But for the most part the drive train is more then reliable. It just the other parts that seem to wear.

They are getting older and most have over 100,000 miles. Thats when the need to replace parts starts to show up.

 

Thanks, doesn't seem to be to horrible bad. I've heard of these engines (4.0) running up to 250,000 miles

 

4.0 is the best motor i've had imo...bullet proof!

 

x2

 

"The rear hatch lock can stick."
x2, I sprayed about 2oz of "Liquid Wrench" in it, and that freed it up. Works really good now, very easy to turn with the key..

The common problems have already been mentioned, RMS leaks, random clunks and noises, if it has a d35 you may end up replacing it at some point, etc.

Also keep in mind that the CPS and TPS are generally known to fail at around 150-200,000 Miles.. Renix jeeps have no CEL, so you have to keep an eye on stuff. I would check the Oxygen sensor, fluid levels, and U-Joints when you get it also...
The nice thing about Renix jeeps is that they are so simple, there are many sensors but most/all of them can be tested with a multimeter.
They are known to be very reliable, sometimes even more reliable than the newer HO jeeps..

Hope this helps,
Dylan