Hi. I have a blown gasket/ cracked cylinder head on a grand cherokee 5 cylinder 3.1L turbo diesel. Does anyone know how to go about removing the cylinder head?

 

If someone told you how to do it, would you have the knowledge/mechanical skills to do this?

 

Good question. I'm fairly new to car mechanics. A few months ago I was pretty hopeless, but I've almost completed a basic mechanics course at college. I have serviced both my cars, and have had a go at stripping a college engine.

I've been looking for a project, and recently a friend blew a head gasket on his jeep grand cherokee 2001 3.1 TD. He was going to scrap it, so I bought it from him for very little, in the hope that I could get it going again.

It's a much more ambitious project than I had intended at this stage, but it seemed a shame to waste such an opportunity. At the very least, having a go would improve my mechanical knowledge.

I reckon I could give it a good go, with the help of a manual, which is on the way. I've nothing to lose, and a jeep& much more to gain. Any help would be much appreciated, thank you.

 

Best advice I could offer is general, as most of us in the states have very limited experience with the diesels: Pay attention to what you do, take pictures if need be, label if you have to, and assume nothing, especially if you have the convenience of the manual. But at the same time, don't be afraid of it. Dive in.

 

FletchFL, that was an excellent post and I couldn't have said it better! My only diesel experience was helping work on a Louisville Ford tractor (lorry) with a 250 Cummins diesel.

This will be an invaluable experience for him and one that give him a lot of satisfaction if it works when he's done. The only thing I can add is the torque on the head bolts is the most important part of the rebuild because of the high compression ratio. I, personally, would use all new bolts.

There is no better sound in the world than hearing a motor that YOU built fire up for the first time!

 

Nailed it.
And this^^^^^ is some more excellent advice

great info guys

 

Thanks for all advice. Duly noted. I'll report back periodically.