Jeep Cherokee - What to look for?!

95Trooper

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Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Location
WNC
I'm going to look at a '90 model Jeep Cherokee this weekend that has a blown head gasket. The guy said he was driving it one day and it started running hot and popped the head gasket. He said it's been parked since then and it's been sitting for awhile. What should I check for just to make sure that it's alright? He also said it won't crank but I'm guessing that has to do with the head gasket. Let me know what I should check for just to make sure that it'll be okay and so I won't run into any more problems down the road. Is changing a head gasket on a Cherokee a hard job? He only wants $300 for it and the body and interior is in good shape so I'm guessing it's a deal. Any and all help is very much appreciated because you all know a lot more about Jeeps than I do. Thanks!!
 
Well, how long has it been sitting? You can get some serious rust in the cylinders if it's been sitting with water in them. Plus you may have a warped head/cracked block/etc. Could be a simple head gasket repair, but could need a new engine. Really no way to tell by eyeballing it.

For $300 it sounds like a good deal anyway, but just be prepared for the worst with that engine.
 
Blaze said:
Well, how long has it been sitting? You can get some serious rust in the cylinders if it's been sitting with water in them. Plus you may have a warped head/cracked block/etc. Could be a simple head gasket repair, but could need a new engine. Really no way to tell by eyeballing it.
For $300 it sounds like a good deal anyway, but just be prepared for the worst with that engine.
Click to expand...
Couldnt have said it better myself.
 
Blaze said:
Well, how long has it been sitting? You can get some serious rust in the cylinders if it's been sitting with water in them. Plus you may have a warped head/cracked block/etc. Could be a simple head gasket repair, but could need a new engine. Really no way to tell by eyeballing it.
For $300 it sounds like a good deal anyway, but just be prepared for the worst with that engine.
Click to expand...

I just got off the phone with the guy and he told me he'd take a little less for it and he said it's been sitting for 1-1/2 to 2 months. Thanks for the help.
 
If it will turn over, you're probably safe in that aspect. Best bet would be to yank the head and have is sonic checked. Worst case you gotta find a new head, which will set you back a whole $50 from someone on the board more than likely. Hell, probably just easier to buy a new head and roll with it.
 
I would make sure the head gasket is blown before you start tearing it apart. Ive seen some 4.0s get pretty hot for quite a while before they push the gasket. Check the compression or pressurize the radiator(or both). It may have just been running hot and then cut off and they assumed it blew the gasket. Or it may have blown the gasket and warped the head. Never take some jackasses word on whats wrong with something. Either way its still a good deal.
 
if it doesnt crank but turns pretty freely then very good chance that the piston rings have poped, and may not be a head gasket at all
 
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