So some of you may remember the 1998 XJ that I had decided to buy. It was a transplant from the south with 226k on it.
Long story short it was sold out from under me which was very frustrating but it is what it is and I have moved on. I have spent the last few weekends looking at A LOT of XJ's all of which have been a complete bust for one reason or another- mostly due to rust which the sellers said there was none. I've made it very clear before even coming to look at the jeep that if it has any signs of beginning to have major rust issues or existing major rust issues that I won't even start the engine and walk away. Clearly there are various opinions of what rust actually means.
So moving on to my latest and most promising discovery which is posted above. Apparently the only rust on the vehicle is on the front

 

Bumper. The head was replaced due to valve train noise and not because of an overheating issue. New head gasket (obviously) VC gasket (obviously) timing chain and all other parts listed in the ad. Any opinions regarding other possible reasons for the new head etc. would be appreciated. It has 189k on it.

 

rrriiiiiiggggghhhhhhtttttttttt.

 

So should I avoid it like the plague?

 

I mean maybe that was the reason. Idk just seems strange to me. If it's not far I would still checkb it out...maybe she runs beautifully and you get it for. A better deal. You never know.

 

It's a schlock repair job, silly to get that far into it and not finish it off with rings, bearings, etc. Which if you buy it you'll soon be replacing, lol.

 

1. Engine runs great and has been maintained very well.
2. Cylinder head, head gasket, camshaft and lifters ... have all been replaced.

Okay, class, which of these things is not like the other thing. Tommy? Yes, that's right, Tommy. "Maintained very well" is not like "replacing a ton of major components (including a camshaft????) and blaming it on valve noise". Very good.


I'd walk away. Too much money for a questionable repair of... what?

It looks really great - I love that color. But that's a stiff price for something that may have major engine problems. Get the price down to "I can buy this and still have money to rebuild the engine" territory, and you have something to consider.