jeepersdeepers

Need some advice please. What's the average price to have a head gasket replaced (if I take it to a repair shop)? Engine is 4.0L I6SFI.

firstime00XJ

About $900-$1200.

jeepersdeepers

Thanks. Maybe that's why my son is going to let his friends help replace it instead of going to a shop. (just hope they know what their doing) !! He's already purchased a new radiator and the gasket kit. I told him he needs to try to flush the system out and replace the thermostat as well. He's in Hawaii and I'm in Texas so I'm not much help..

warthog

Yeah the shop the other day quoted me a thousand and i laughed. I am goint to be doing the job myself. i have priced a couple things so far.

Gaskets 85
Head cleaned and inspected 35
Head resurfaced 100
Valves 100

remeber he needs to make sure he has found the problem that blew the head gasket so he doesn't have to do it twice.

There are probably a couple more expenses in there that i missed

superj

Tell him to do it at the auto craft shop. The guys assigned to work there all know what they are doing.


If he is military which is how it sounds

robertj

Whoever removes the head make sure they check it carefully for crack(s).

firstime00XJ

His Jeep has the 0331 Cylinder Head Casting which are notorious for cracks, so Robertj is right on - he needs to make sure that whoever resurfaces the head looks it over carefully for cracks.

jeepersdeepers

I do appreciate the replies. Best thing for me to do is get ahold of him today and advise him to join cherokeeforum.com!! He told me that his commrades have mechanical experience. If he's just buying the parts and suppling beverages then he may end up with the head back on and find the pushrods still on the work bench! Just joking of course. I'll tell him also to check around base and see if their are any "mechanics" willing to pitch in. Once again; thanks.

firstime00XJ

You're not joking - you are concerned that the pushrods will still be on the work bench...HAHA. You're welcome, glad we could be of assistance.

mcguyver_xj

the machine shop that is checking the head should magnaflux it that would be the best way to check for cracks in such a large cyl. head and quite honestly it shouldn't be too difficult with help from friends

jeepersdeepers

Thought I'd post an update; well they got everything took apart, just hope they remember how it goes back togeather! Believe they are trying to find a part now; lower radiator hose. Parts house said they had to buy an "assembly" or something like that. I'm not familiar with Jeeps so I told him to get a second opinion and see what other places tell him. Believe they were going to check some auto salvage yards as well. My auto repair history (of course not Jeeps) has been buy a hose and that's what you get, a hose. What is this "assembly" they are telling him he has to buy?

warthog

The only thing I can think of is the hose with the internal spring. Maybe the hose with the spring is the assembly he is talking about. It has to have the spring so it doesn't collapse and overheat

JSmith0055

either let your son do it, or buy a whole new engine you can find for like $200-300 and get it put in for like $200-300

warthog

Maybe i missed something but Why would he have to buy a new engine?

jeepersdeepers

He works for the military so if you have any knowledge of what the gov. pays someone below an officer then you would know he couldn't afford an engine replacement! But thanks for the reply; and I do mean it; tks.