Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I

checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
(miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that

includes a $350 valve job.)

Questions:
What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
Is a cracked head really likely on this?
I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
How long would it take to fix myself?

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

Yes, you can remove the head and replace the gasket, and NO, you cannot do
the valve job.

That being said since you already have the head off to replace the gasket
you can take the head to an automotive machine shop where they can inspect
the head and make any necessary repairs and then return it to you ready for
installation.

There is no reason to replace an XJ Cherokee at 125,000 miles unless it was
struck by a meteor or a cement truck. That model will usually go 200,000+
miles before it requires any major repairs.

Be sure to change the oil and filters every 3000 miles with a good quality
oil and filter.

Be sure to get a quality gasket set, don't try to save a nickel here..... (I
got my FelPro gaskets at the machine shop)

Some engines require replacement head bolts.

You can ask for names of reliable machine shops at your local auto parts
stores.

"Jeff" <JeffBallweg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1160679504.713123.35050@k70g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

Yes, you can remove the head and replace the gasket, and NO, you cannot do
the valve job.

That being said since you already have the head off to replace the gasket
you can take the head to an automotive machine shop where they can inspect
the head and make any necessary repairs and then return it to you ready for
installation.

There is no reason to replace an XJ Cherokee at 125,000 miles unless it was
struck by a meteor or a cement truck. That model will usually go 200,000+
miles before it requires any major repairs.

Be sure to change the oil and filters every 3000 miles with a good quality
oil and filter.

Be sure to get a quality gasket set, don't try to save a nickel here..... (I
got my FelPro gaskets at the machine shop)

Some engines require replacement head bolts.

You can ask for names of reliable machine shops at your local auto parts
stores.

"Jeff" <JeffBallweg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1160679504.713123.35050@k70g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

Yes, you can remove the head and replace the gasket, and NO, you cannot do
the valve job.

That being said since you already have the head off to replace the gasket
you can take the head to an automotive machine shop where they can inspect
the head and make any necessary repairs and then return it to you ready for
installation.

There is no reason to replace an XJ Cherokee at 125,000 miles unless it was
struck by a meteor or a cement truck. That model will usually go 200,000+
miles before it requires any major repairs.

Be sure to change the oil and filters every 3000 miles with a good quality
oil and filter.

Be sure to get a quality gasket set, don't try to save a nickel here..... (I
got my FelPro gaskets at the machine shop)

Some engines require replacement head bolts.

You can ask for names of reliable machine shops at your local auto parts
stores.

"Jeff" <JeffBallweg@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1160679504.713123.35050@k70g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

For a plain head gasket replacement, figure something like $250 to $350
for a decent valve job with a couple of new valves, about 4 hours labor
to pull and replace the head. Fairly reasonable DIY job for the labor,
figure a long day if this is your first try at it. But at $1400, I'd at
least find another shop to work on it.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

For a plain head gasket replacement, figure something like $250 to $350
for a decent valve job with a couple of new valves, about 4 hours labor
to pull and replace the head. Fairly reasonable DIY job for the labor,
figure a long day if this is your first try at it. But at $1400, I'd at
least find another shop to work on it.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

For a plain head gasket replacement, figure something like $250 to $350
for a decent valve job with a couple of new valves, about 4 hours labor
to pull and replace the head. Fairly reasonable DIY job for the labor,
figure a long day if this is your first try at it. But at $1400, I'd at
least find another shop to work on it.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

I'd think about skipping the valve job if possible.
If they're not hurt, leave them alone.
Sometimes fresh valves with nice tight combustion chambers and 145K old
rings don't play well together.
ymmv.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

I'd think about skipping the valve job if possible.
If they're not hurt, leave them alone.
Sometimes fresh valves with nice tight combustion chambers and 145K old
rings don't play well together.
ymmv.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>

Re: Blown head gasket on 98 cherokee?
 

I'd think about skipping the valve job if possible.
If they're not hurt, leave them alone.
Sometimes fresh valves with nice tight combustion chambers and 145K old
rings don't play well together.
ymmv.

Jeff wrote:
> My 1998 Jeep Cherokee L6 4.0L started missing badly the other day, so I
>
> checked the codes and got the following: 300 (random misfire), 301
> (miss on #1), 303 (miss on #3), 304 (miss on #4).
> So I took it to my local shop and rode my bicycle home. This morning I
> got a call from the mechanic, and he says that the issue is a blown
> head gasket, and mentioned that "sometimes these have a cracked head
> too." He also reccomends a valve job as it has 145,000 miles on it.
> I'm wondering what to do here. I like the vehicle, but I probably
> should have traded it in for another one 20,000 miles ago.
> They are quoting me $1400+ for the gasket replacement (and I think that
>
> includes a $350 valve job.)
>
> Questions:
> What are prices that people have experienced on this job?
> Is a cracked head really likely on this?
> I am fairly mechanically inclined, can I fix this myself?
> How long would it take to fix myself?
>