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Blown Head Gasket?

Discussion in 'Cherokee' started by PleaseJustStart94, Jan 3, 2019.

  1. Jan 3, 2019 at 8:05 AM
    #1
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    Hello everyone,

    I'm new here but in kind of a sticky situation. My jeep has been over heating past few days and today I got caught in traffic and it red lined engine temp so the second I got a chance to pull over I did and shut it off. Waited about 20-30 minutes and cracked radiator cap, smoke/exhaust came pouring out. Think I saw steam still coming out of the tailpipe after engine idled from cold to over heating yesterday. So now im stuck here outside base calling mechanics for quotes.

    Just trying to see if more knowledgable eyes can confirm my suspicions on blown head gasket. And if its worth taking to a shop for replacement. Apparently 4.7l is super expensive and will cost upwards of 1800 here(San diego) at that rate I might as well look for a used engine. Thing is, I bought the jeep for 3k and would really not like to spend the same amount fixing it.

    tl:dr
    possible blown 4.7 head gasket, worth taking to shop or do myself, or get used engine, or get new vehicle? Thank you!

    -Tyler
     
  2. Jan 3, 2019 at 8:18 AM
    #2
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    lets confirm a head gasket is issue.
    Not the absolute test BUT for on the side of road.
    Remove oil fill cap - is there a gray cream like coating?
    Looking in radiator and at cap - same any gray sludge?
    look at dip stick for same ow evidence of water/coolant ?
    San Diego is WARM freezing not an issue - correct?

    fill it up with WATER for now if statement is correct.
    Get to a safe place- often Military bases have a car hobby shop?
    take advantage of your benefits....please.

    Answer these and we can go on

    4.7L do you have an electric and or hydraulic fan I think both 04 is a memory, I am confused here.
     
    JKBob 25 and aggrex like this.
  3. Jan 3, 2019 at 8:53 AM
    #3
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    Oil is fine, dark and in need of a change but no coolant or residue. As for coolant, there was the smoke, but no residue other than stop leak stuff in there. Both levels are good, no severe leaks to note. San diego is warm and correct freezing is not an issue. I have hydraulic fan yes.

    There is a hobby shop on base but its a matter of being able to make it to it that worries me. I also dont have the tools or parts to take care of it myself right now and in the event i need to get it towed from there its harder on base.

    Still calling around in the meantime and got another quote for $12-1600.

    Thanks for the speedy reply btw
     
  4. Jan 3, 2019 at 9:06 AM
    #4
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Welcome! Get it towed to a good shop to prevent additional damage. Quotes won't be accurate without identifying the issue.
     
  5. Jan 3, 2019 at 9:08 AM
    #5
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    Just to give you an idea of why the price is high, to replace both headgaskets takes 10.6hrs per Alldata.

    Beg/Steal/Borrow some tools and get after it. Good time to learn.
     
  6. Jan 3, 2019 at 9:20 AM
    #6
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    I would love to, Ive only ever done any headgasket work as a teenager building an engine with my father. But me being underway soon amd my wife pregnant with this our only vehicle i dont know if learning is the best option atm.
     
  7. Jan 3, 2019 at 12:28 PM
    #7
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    its harder on base.
    OK the hobby shop support staff will be the ones to cut red tape to have it towed - they do so oftern.

    They will have a scanner to check codes AND maybe MAYBE there is an issue with cooling electronics, circuits relays fuses OR hopefully a thermostat issue.

    I am sure they would have recommendations for offf base repair shops - a lot better insight than a google search and phone call.

    Try turning on the heater to high to cast off some heat.

    think positive!
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  8. Jan 4, 2019 at 5:23 AM
    #8
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Welcome from DFW
     
  9. Jan 4, 2019 at 10:09 PM
    #9
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    Update: Jeep is in the shop, was indeed headgasket. Costing me around 1700 for the work and I figure with the mileage on it I may as well have him replace my timing chain since its already ripped apart. Anyway, thanks for the advice everyone, hope you all are having a good new years with the families!
     
    Harleymick likes this.
  10. Jan 5, 2019 at 3:46 AM
    #10
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Maybe have them change lifters out as well since the head has to come off to change them
     
  11. Jan 5, 2019 at 7:30 AM
    #11
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    True I can ask him how much it would be
     
  12. Jan 5, 2019 at 8:18 AM
    #12
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Great that the problem was identified. Don't want to push the bill higher but some maintenance parts to consider depending upon age/mileage: water pump, belts, thermostat, hoses etc.
     
    TJ_abuser likes this.
  13. Jan 5, 2019 at 8:06 PM
    #13
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Yep just did my water pump at 145k in May . Might be perfect time for some roller rockers also just depends how deep your pockets are . I would have to do it all myself, already blew my Jeep budget for awhile with $2800 transmission in April .
     
  14. Jan 5, 2019 at 8:07 PM
    #14
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Automatic transmission and gear backlash are the only 2 things I won't try to tackle
     
  15. Jan 5, 2019 at 9:14 PM
    #15
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Those are specialized skills that I don't have yet...maybe one day. Did you add a trans cooler?
     
  16. Jan 6, 2019 at 4:58 AM
    #16
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Yes sir can prob see part of it in my pic
     
  17. Jan 6, 2019 at 8:06 AM
    #17
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    Recently replaced the waterpump myself already back in october. Broke down in the middle of a trip to vegas and had to get it towed back home.
     
  18. Jan 6, 2019 at 10:34 AM
    #18
    boondoc89

    boondoc89 Well-Known Member

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    3 inch zone lift. Fox 2.0 shocks. 35 inch nitto ridge grapplers. Bushwacker flat fenders. No name steel bumpers front and back for now.
    Sounds like your rig has some gremlins. You seem to be a lot more patient with a vehicle than I am. If it were me i would be looking for a newer more reliable ride lol.
     
  19. Jan 6, 2019 at 12:02 PM
    #19
    PleaseJustStart94

    PleaseJustStart94 [OP] Member

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    Idk about patient, more like cant afford a new one so I have to make it last haha
     
    TJ_abuser and boondoc89[QUOTED] like this.
  20. Jan 6, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    #20
    Harleymick

    Harleymick Well-Known Member

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    I don't think it is a head gasket, does it otherwise run OK? There should be some spitting and sputtering going on along with a loss of power. Get that oil filter off of it and cut it in half. The tool is cheap on Amazon. Spread open the filter material and look for signs of anything but dirty oil. If the gasket is blown there will be signs of water. If it is a head gasket use a cherry picker and pull just the heads yourself. You can also inexpensively buy a camera probe that goes through spark plug holes to see how the cylinders and pistons look.

    If you find nothing wrong and the fan is either mechanical or the fuse/relay is OK, flush the cooling system well and replace the thermostat. Throwing money at a problem is never the answer, nor is paying a garage to find the problem. You could end up with new head gaskets to go along with a bad thermostat. A garage is fine if you know what the problem is and you can't do it yourself. JMHO
     
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