Hey guys been in search of a Cherokee for a while. My friend has one that looks to be in good shape except for the clear coat on hood and roof. Anyway it has 167,000 miles and is a 2000 Cherokee classic 4x4. My worry is the head being cracked. I know this year had problems with the head from bad casting. It doesn’t look like it has been swapped out, just from the looks of it. I took the oil cap off and looks like yellow gunk up under the cap. Some pictures below of what I saw. Also the valve cover looks to be leaking but not so worry about that as I am about the head being cracked. Here are the pictures what do y’all think buy or pass?

This was taking right after driving it for about 30 mins

This one was takin the next morning after sitting over night. Less gunk after sitting

 

Pretty much a classic symptom of a cracked head.
So the real concern is how long as it been like this?
How long has coolant been thrashing the bearings in the lower end if it is a cracked head leaking coolant?
So you go in thinking your going to have to put another motor in it.
It is still worth it to you at the asking price?
Now will you actually need another motor?
There is a chance putting on a new head will make it all better. LOL.
IMO go in expecting the worst and hoping for the best.

 

asking 4,900 if it’s truley a cracked head I’ll prob steer clear of it I guess. Was hopeing that wouldn’t be the issue….

 

Run away.

 

Don't run away! What you need is one of those ACME rockets you wear like a backpack. You need to break the sound barrier during your getaway.

 

Yeah... these.... unless it's being sold cheap enough for you to either rebuild or transplant a good engine from a donor XJ. And that's assuming the rest of the XJ is in top nic. Otherwise like stated above...don't walk...run away.