does this year fall in the bad 0331 head years?

 

I agree,
I would definitely do a compression check on it before i bought it

 

im not trying to burst the ops bubble but give other views to ponder about this

 

I want to hear the Good and the BAD.

 

In all my researching of the 0331 head problem, I have heard of (not confirmed but no reason to disbelieve) only two 1999 4.0 XJs that have the 0331 head. And these both had the coil pack (distributorless) ignition.

If you want to be absolutely sure, get a rag and on the drivers side, clean thoroughly about midway back under the valve cover on the lip of the head. With a good light, you will be able to read the casting number of the head.

Most 1999s will come with the 0630 head, a very good head.

 

theres plenty of write ups about it just google it

 

x2 That is what I was thinking....
Where are you located?

 

I see what you guys are saying about "why didn't they fix it" apparently they have tried but not necessarily tried the right things.

Like the "cheep TPS" not the good one from Jeep.

Proper tune-up and the like.


Texas by the way.

 

99 should have the good head. But it could be the cylinder 3 heat soak issue. I believe that affected the 99's as well. In my opinion, I would get in touch with a shop close by you (PM me your city/area if you want and I can recommend some) and I would ask to take it out for a test drive and schedule with that shop to do a compression check. This will rule out any major engine issues and you would be left with the smaller, cheaper, easier repairs. If the compression check comes out good, then this is a helluva deal and I would jump on it. Do the things TJ suggested and you will most likely have a very nice XJ for a great deal.

Also, a guy in the Jeep club I belong to posted this on our board (seller is a friend of his). I've asked him what he thinks about the misfire. Will let ya know if I hear anything good or bad.

 

Cant pm now, driving to irving tx to check it out.

Know any good shops there that do comp. Test for good price?

Do you think you know tne seller?

 

Good: its a jeep
Bad: its a jeep


in reality... I got a new engine and put it in for less than $300 including gas I used to drive to pick it up.



Right now my jeep is doing the same thing and the gasket on the throttle body is trashed.

is the check engine light on?
Yes- Check vaccum hoses and get the code read
No- Clean the intake and CHECK THE AIR FILTER

Does it get worse at higher RPMs?
Does it go away with higher RPMs?


In my opinion... if its a cap and rotor i would be all over it. if its a coil pack, i would hesitate a little. (The heads are weaker and **** coil packs)

 

Easiest way to tell if its a 0630 if it has a distributor ignition and if it has coil packs its a 0331

 

good to know this.

 

I went for for it! Brought her home today.

4 hour straight drive from dallas to south austin enduring waves of misfires. Scary at first, but then I got the feel for it and just kept driving.

Temp stayed at 200 never moved.

Oil pressure stayed at 51-2 never moved.

Voltage stayed at just under 14 also never moved.

Gas went down LOL.

Every time it started missing I would release the gas pedal and it stopped. Then started up again.

After about 2 hours "about half way home something weird happened... While missing the AIRBAG light came on then Spedo, fuel and Tach dropped out. above guages stayed the same. this occured for maybe a minute... no misfires. Above guages stayed the same. Then (after the minute) the AIRBAG light went out and Spedo,Tach,Gas returned to normal. Didn't happen again.

Started to wonder why the check engine light was not on "maybe disabeled???" Well got to north austin "about 45mins" from home and the check engine light popped on.

Made it home. Misfires and all. Never stopped. Wheww!!! Thats all I wanted for now.

When she wasn't missing she drove-sounded-responded Great.

Tune-up tomorrow. We'll see?

Thanks guys for all your suggestions/help I will be doing pretty much everything you guys advised.

Cheers! I now have a '99 4.0 4x4 XJ that needs some love.

 

Get those codes read and post the EXACT numbers here for comment.

In this case, a check engine light is exactly what you wanted!