Pay for expensive repairs or sell and move on?
 

So I've got a 2004 WJ Special Edition, 4x4, 4.7L with 135000 miles on it. I've been having issues with it that I've let pile up so I finally took it to a local shop. They found multiple problems including several major oil leaks, leaking water pump, and worst of all they've found several cylinders misfiring that they've diagnosed as a blown head gasket and warped heads. Quoting me ~$4000 for the repairs.

I'm just looking for some advice on how to proceed. Sell it and move on? Get it fixed? Get a second opinion? Any opinions welcome. Thanks.

JMHO, move on.

Put it on Craiglist.

Interesting. This issue is cross posted to another forum. It's interesting to compare the responses here,to the ones, there.

Brill,

Since you asked, here is MHO................

An opinion from a second shop never hurts when looking at big or multiple repairs.

The measure I use to evaluate repairs is how many car payments does this investment represent. Your example represents about 13 ($4k/$300) months. Can you purchase a safe dependable vehicle for less? If you are considering new, the repair looks even better.

On the other hand, if you have a place to work on your Jeep, some tools, some skills AND you enjoy doing your own work then the repair becomes less expensive and the repair/payment analogy goes maybe to 5 to 8 months.

If your Cherokee is clean, you enjoy driving it then the most economical route may to be repair it. Either DYI or shop or a combination of both.

If you are not happy with the Jeep, move on the decision is yours.

Good Luck

I always try to do as many repairs as I can myself (to save money and I enjoy doing it) but all the steps involved in a head gasket replacement have me a bit weary. I've just got a regular set of mechanics tools and a suburban garage.

The Jeep is in fine shape otherwise, and I'd love to keep it. I'm just trying to decide what makes the most financial sense at this point. I don't want to buy new, but I worry about getting into another used vehicle that could have a host of other unknown issues.

The shop gave me some more detailed info. Codes P0305 and P0304 misfires and hydrocarbons present in the cooling system. ~$3100 for everything if they have to replace the heads, or ~$2300 if they can be machined.

I just went thru this on my 2002. The tranny died on me, I chose to pay the $2800 for it to be replaced. I could not find another one without problems for less and didn't want to pay for a new vehicle yet. I would fix it if you like the jeep.

You don't want to tackle a head gasket on a 4.7 by yourself. Those are complicated engines and require some special tools to do the job correctly. The cost of the repairs is more than the Jeep is worth. I would move on and find another vehicle.

double post

There's absolutely no way I could find one in comparable condition (excluding the head gasket) for less than $2300. Most in my area are listed at 2-3x that in much worse condition with more miles.

barnettesengines.com has reman 4.7 engines for $2900 with a 5 year mileage limited warranty and no core charge.

it's completely up to you, i honestly would fix it. like you said a comparable jeep in the same condition is more than what you'd be paying in repairs. I went through the same thing with my 97 grand when the trans went. i ended up paying right around $1500 for a rebuilt trans and transfercase. but my jeep was in great mechanical shape other than those two issues. and i couldnt find one with a lift,new tires, and rebuilt motor for under 3k. so i went and did the rebuilt trans.

Well I'll put in my 2 cents being I own a 04 WJ Overland package loaded with over 200,000 on it. Same engine love it and zero issues, but if it did I would spend the money in a heartbeat. This was the last year Jeep made a decent Grand Cherokee and mine is in excellent condition inside and out zero rust or dents. I have posted it before so will not again but it really has everything Jeep offered for options in 04.


I could not replace it for anywhere near the price of an entire driveline if I had had to. To replace with a new something never a new Jeep but the cost would run $50-70k very easy. Even ones like mine are still bringing close to $10-12k in same condition with options close to mine all stock.


This time I have to go against the grain in advice if that all the cost involved for you on a 135,000mi. WJ. My advice is to take care of all the little things and don't let them mount up and do oil/trans/diff/radiator fluids changed as required.

I've decided I'm going to fix it. Now it's just a question of whether I should opt for a new engine or not.