I noticed some very minimal white smoke on a real hot day 2-3 weeks ago, jeep got a little hot 210-215 maybe, went on the dunes 4 wheeling thermostat stuck and the gauge pegged, changed thermo stat and jeep still got hot, started leaking anti freeze from water pump, so i changed the water pump. no problems after i worked out the air bubles from the cooling system, yesterday i started the jeep and it was running crappy: low idle miss fire and ran like that till it got warm, when it got warm it would still bog down at an idle, later that day i started it and noticed some white smoke, i revved it a little and the white smoke started pouring out of the tail pipe, i checked the oil and the anti freeze and both seem to be OK. i have read on here to check the spark plugs to see if they are very clean, nd 2 of the arms where cleaner then the others but nothing out of the ordinary, i also started it while it was cold and pulled the resivour and the coolant was bubbling, if im not mistakin that means its a head gasket right? the engine is a 4.0 liter out of a 1998 cherokee classic, new thermostat new water pump new plugs new alternator, if it is head gasket, should a rookie, but half way mechanical person attempt it?

 

Do you have access to a cooling system pressure tester?

Head gaskets on 4.0 aren't difficult, just clean the head and block good, check both with a feeler gauge and straightedge to make sure you don't have any warpage (it's unlikely) and watch the torque specs and tightening sequence when you reassemble.
I'd think you'll have no problem if you have basic mechanical skills.

 

i dont have access to a coolant pressure tester, but i can probably get one, there is a local machine shop im planning on taking the head in too to get new valves and checked out, you wouldnt happen to have a web site with a good map of what to start with and a order of operations for the head gasket would you?

 

Write up with pics here:
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7055

 

THANK YOU!!

 

Year ?

 

its a 98