Help the uninformed figure things out- me

door3

door3

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2006
Location
Cornelius
So the 99 XJ has 218k. It's a bit worn- has the low oil pressure thing, leaks a little here and there, but not obscenely. THis is now JR's rig for his DD- school, lacrosse practice and to his buddies houses. Not a lot of driving.
I'm into this for $4500 at this point. I feel that I could sell it locally for about that- like new DC FC2's, 3" lift, super clean interior, amp, radio etc. Ohh- almost forgot the roof basket- that's cash for sure!

Anyway- I'm not able or inclined to do a engine swap on my own. My trusted mechanic says his labor is ~$1k for a swap. He recommends reman (thinking that's $2500ish?).
So my question is- run it till it gives up the ghost, sell it now & get something else, do the engine swap.

What's the thoughts on reman vs used. Is that labor reasonable?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Here's what an XJ looks like. :fuck-you:
IMG_0282.JPG
 
What about replacing the oil pump and fixing a few leaks here and there? A good oil pump might get a few more years out of it.
 
99 is one of the better years. Put some cheap oil and a STP additive blue bottle and let er rip. Are you willing to dump that money into a car that will statistically get wrecked?


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how low is low with the oil pressure? Have you hooked up a mechanical gauge to it to make sure it's not the sending unit going bad?

Otherwise, I second what @1stgenxxx said.
 
They are notorious for the gauges being incorrect due to the sending unit as mentioned. Change the sending unit for good measure, test with a mechanical.
If the oil pressure really is low, go with some additives as mentioned and ride out. Fix the leaks cause JR probably won’t check the oil. I’d say the motor could easily outlive your sons teenage years considering the chances of it getting crashed (no offense).

With that mileage it would suck to replace the motor only to lose the tranny 3 months later, and that can happen when and old tranny gets a fresh powerful motor. I’d just fix it a little as some bonding time, learning from YouTube and drive it till the wheels fall off. Then you can sell it here for parts.
 
Scooter402 said:
how low is low with the oil pressure? Have you hooked up a mechanical gauge to it to make sure it's not the sending unit going bad?

Otherwise, I second what @1stgenxxx said.
Click to expand...
So using thicker oil has kept the check gauge light off. but it's in the back of my mind. It dropped to 4-5#.
I had my mechanic, again, who has always done well by me, go through the sending unit check as well making sure he uses good filters, which he does.

The previous owner had the tranny replaced about 100k ago.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
I'd drop the oil pan and put a pump I it.....the oil pan is probably leaking anyway
 
99 and up 4.0 had issues with the cam bearings wearing prematurely. This will cause low oil pressure but no knock.
I'd wager at that mileage you will have a combination of both oil pump wear and also cam bearing wear.
The oil pump replacement would also allow replacement of the rear main seal (probably leaking) and oil pan gasket. That could address multiple issues at once.
The cam bearings however require complete engine teardown.

Id wager $200 worth of oil pump, RMS and gaskets against putting another $3500 (reman engine + labor) into a 218k mile XJ.
 
The timing chain cover is leaking, rear main and one other place that will get taken care of at the next oil change.
The timing chain area is a lot of $ because of everything needed to pull off I'm told. That's what got me thinking about the cost of fixing vs replacing the engine.

@NickMaul you are right about the statistics... My daughter and wife were going to church class last night and got into an accident, which will be a couple grand to fix on her 04 xterra.

Stop the bleeding!
 
These engines aren't complicated. I'm sure someone on here could help you out way cheaper if you don't wanna tackle it yourself.
 
Yeah what @1stgenxxx said. That timing cover isn’t bad. Just removing the from accessories and water pump. There are tons of YouTube videos, and plenty guys around here willing to help you.
 
So, here's where I am on that...
I'm willing to ask for the support of the group, bring refreshments and some cash, but would you teach my son what I don't know- how to wrench on his shit?
 
when we (me and the neighbor) used to work on these, he'd buy two or three and build a perfect one out of the group- mostly cosmetic issues- we NEVER had to go seriously into the motor. sell, then repeat. we did this about every two weeks each summer just for shits and giggles. we ALWAYS put in a high volume oil pump, buttoned her up and sent her on her way.

$1k seems high on labor for a drop and swap for a compatible motor. when you do a reman remember that you have to swap all that crap external on the block. that can be easy or it can suck. Id never consider a reman on a running XJ. run that baby till she dies, then decide.

fyi - if you have a good small impact gun, and all of the connectors let go nicely you can pull that motor in less than 2 hours, and put another one back in 3. put a crank position sensor in it while youve got it out though. but honestly I dont hear you needing that yet.

its cheap, basic and a very sturdy vehicle. if its as clean inside as it is outside, why 'keep up with the Jones' and buy something else? ride that baby.
 
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