Would this be oil or coolant?
#1
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Would this be oil or coolant?
My 99 Cherokee 4.0L has a small leak at the head gasket but does not seem to effect performance. I degreased the engine and cleaned it up and replaced a leaking rocker cover gasket. On the pasenger size of the engine, at the head-to-block mating surface, between cylinders 3 and 4 I've developed a little fluid of some sort. After 50-100 miles of driving it leaks abouth the size of a half-dollar. I figured it was oil, but perhaps it is coolant? I'm not sure where the water jackets run through the block into the head, or if this is the pushrod side. Like I said it runs good, but this leak is a little concerning. I picked this Jeep up a few months back and its my first Jeep and its been a big learning experience.
Is this a common issue and am I ok to be driving it? Should I be expecting a head gasket replacement shortly?
I'm assuming the vehicle had overheated at some point since there were rust spots all over the inside of the engine compartment, like the radiator exploded or something. I have done a good coolant flush including the heater core (which still only get luke warm.)
Anyways, any input sure would be welcomed.
Is this a common issue and am I ok to be driving it? Should I be expecting a head gasket replacement shortly?
I'm assuming the vehicle had overheated at some point since there were rust spots all over the inside of the engine compartment, like the radiator exploded or something. I have done a good coolant flush including the heater core (which still only get luke warm.)
Anyways, any input sure would be welcomed.
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Oil drainback from the head to the pan is on the passenger side. Coolant enters the front of the block (water pump), moves from the front to rear of the block around both sides of the cylinders, exits the block at the rear, enters the head at the rear and exits the head at the front (bypass loop and/or t-stat). Both heater hoses at the firewall should be hot if the heater core is flowing good.
#3
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Year: 1999
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Year: 1999
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Oops...I think I mis-spoke...it 'looks' white in the picture, but in reality it just looks and feels like oil. But it does seep from the 'white' line in the picture, after about 50 miles it seeps out about the size of a half dollar. I suppose I just keep on running her and keep an eye on it.
After 2 months and a couple thousand miles I'm still pleasantly addited to the ol gal.
After 2 months and a couple thousand miles I'm still pleasantly addited to the ol gal.
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Just an idea, If you were to drain your coolant and put new coolant in that would be say green, and then you ran the engine again you could tell if it was brown oil or the green coolant. Usually the green shows up pretty good with a flashlight.
-Taylor
-Taylor
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#9
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Year: 1999
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Thanks folk, I'll keep an eye on it for now. I have noticed a small amount of coolant loss with no visible exterior leaks anywhere and assumed it was the system burping itself after my flush. May loose a pint every couple hundred miles. I'm thinking a little is sneaking by the head gasket. The oil looks good (no milkshake substance) I'm probably just a little hypersensitive to her needs.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Check the casting number on your head. It's on the driver's side, middle of the head just under the valve cover. 99-02 XJ's with heads cast with an "0331" are prone to crack at cylinder 3. I really hope I'm wrong, but it's a pretty common problem on 0331 heads...
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