I think I have two problems. My 99 Jeep Cherokee overheated today. I had no heat, but with engine hot and shut off, if I squeeze upper radiator hose I hear a hissing noise like water being forced out between the firewall and rear of engine.Steam comes out from the same area. As I was adding water, steam came out of the same area(firewall and rear of engine).The heater core hose connections are dry. Could I have a head gasket leak back there now? Has 315,000 miles on it.

 

Might be a leaking core plug (freeze plug) at the rear of the head.

 

The thermostat was stuck shut and yes I have a hole in the rear freeze plug on the cylinder head. It's an easy fix, but I don't feel like tackling it myself. I think I'm going to part with it.

 

I had a freeze plug with a small hole in it one time. Sounded just like a tea kettle that had started whistling.

 

how much you asking to get rid of it for then?

 

I may end up fixing the Jeep anyway. Last weekend I had to have another car of mine towed home, so depending if that car can be fixed, I may fix the Jeep since I know exactly what's wrong with it. Not looking forward to loosening bolts under the intake/exhaust manifolds.

 

Take the head off with intake and exhaust still hooked up. You will need a friend its heavy vary heavy. I used to do them while head was attached. Then I watched an older guy at the shop do one the way im suggesting and I have done them that way sense. Those old geezers always know the easy way.

 

Pulling the intake and exhaust is not that hard to do. The hardest part is getting to the bottom center bolts on the 99+ intake manifold. I wouldn't try to pull the head without removing the manifolds, it's just too cumbersome and heavy that way.

 

If I didn't have help I wouldn't even think about it. It sure is a snap to zip those bolts out on a work bench though.

 

Well I decided to fix the Jeep myself. I want to replace the fan clutch shaft bearing while it's apart. From reading an old post it appears I have to press the shaft out the front and the bearing gets pressed out the back? Or I might go to the junkyard. Any Jeep has to have less mileage than mine.

 

Oh yeah and thanks Jeep for not using hex head bolts on the cylinder head. Will be adding yet another tool to my chest.

 

I'm regretting trying to fix this thing. Got it started, but it idles awful rough. Took the valve cover off, all the pushrods look fine and are rotating. Snugged up intake and exhaust manifold bolts. I replaced wires and plugs. There is no check engine light on.All injector plugs are tight.

 

Check for vacume leaqs an old radiator hose makes for a good listing device.

 

Figured out my rough idling. The check engine light came on and indicating an 0202 code, open #2 injector.The brand new plug I installed must not have been gapped by me cause there was no gap= no fire.