Matt H proclaimed:

> Hi all,
> I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> condition with three caveats:
> 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.

Common. Even more common is for someone to mistake it for a rear
main seal leak. New valve cover and gasket takes care of it.
Leak often caused by someone overtightening the factory plastic
cover, or worse, installing a poorly made aluminum one with
a crappy gasket.

> 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.

Replace it. And since you don't know the history, might as
well replace the transmission fluid, etc.

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Behind the compressor is the condensor... some units have had
issues with rust. Really shouldn't be low on fluid on a vehicle
that new...a good A/C shop should be able to check it and give
you a repair cost.
>
> These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> anybody know of past problems similar to these?
>
> Thanks in advance!

 

Matt H proclaimed:

> Hi all,
> I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> condition with three caveats:
> 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.

Common. Even more common is for someone to mistake it for a rear
main seal leak. New valve cover and gasket takes care of it.
Leak often caused by someone overtightening the factory plastic
cover, or worse, installing a poorly made aluminum one with
a crappy gasket.

> 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.

Replace it. And since you don't know the history, might as
well replace the transmission fluid, etc.

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Behind the compressor is the condensor... some units have had
issues with rust. Really shouldn't be low on fluid on a vehicle
that new...a good A/C shop should be able to check it and give
you a repair cost.
>
> These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> anybody know of past problems similar to these?
>
> Thanks in advance!

 

Matt H proclaimed:

> Hi all,
> I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> condition with three caveats:
> 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.

Common. Even more common is for someone to mistake it for a rear
main seal leak. New valve cover and gasket takes care of it.
Leak often caused by someone overtightening the factory plastic
cover, or worse, installing a poorly made aluminum one with
a crappy gasket.

> 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.

Replace it. And since you don't know the history, might as
well replace the transmission fluid, etc.

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Behind the compressor is the condensor... some units have had
issues with rust. Really shouldn't be low on fluid on a vehicle
that new...a good A/C shop should be able to check it and give
you a repair cost.
>
> These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> anybody know of past problems similar to these?
>
> Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks for the feedback Jo Bo. I'll shop accordingly and definately
look into that header when it's time to replace the manifold!

"Jo Bo" <jromas@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message news:<Zz05d.23072$k95.22671@fe1.columbus.rr.com>.. .
> A month ago I bought a 96 with 140K miles on the clock. A little oil on the
> valve cover might just mean oil spilled when adding/changing oil. My
> transmission pan gasket was not leaking though. It was put on using RTV
> sealer and no gasket. It may be some one changed the filter and replaced the
> gasket using a cork replacement as I did. The AC might just be low on r134a
> but may have a possible serious leak though. These are not red flags and can
> be typicle for a 8 year old car. Just buy (read don't pay too much)
> accordingly/ Mine was $3000, has power this that and the other and is in
> good shape other then needing a good cleaning and the miles. I saw the
> identical car at another dealer for $6000! Also your exhaust manifold is
> subject to cracking as all 91-99 I6 ones are. But a Banks stainless steel
> header will fix that just fine! A added benefit is more low end power and
> smoother running.
>
> JoBo
>
> "Matt H" <redrobin991@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:2ff1074b.0409241215.53198e19@posting.google.c om...
> > Hi all,
> > I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> > inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> > condition with three caveats:
> > 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.
> > 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.
> > 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.
> >
> > These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> > with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> > anybody know of past problems similar to these?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks for the feedback Jo Bo. I'll shop accordingly and definately
look into that header when it's time to replace the manifold!

"Jo Bo" <jromas@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message news:<Zz05d.23072$k95.22671@fe1.columbus.rr.com>.. .
> A month ago I bought a 96 with 140K miles on the clock. A little oil on the
> valve cover might just mean oil spilled when adding/changing oil. My
> transmission pan gasket was not leaking though. It was put on using RTV
> sealer and no gasket. It may be some one changed the filter and replaced the
> gasket using a cork replacement as I did. The AC might just be low on r134a
> but may have a possible serious leak though. These are not red flags and can
> be typicle for a 8 year old car. Just buy (read don't pay too much)
> accordingly/ Mine was $3000, has power this that and the other and is in
> good shape other then needing a good cleaning and the miles. I saw the
> identical car at another dealer for $6000! Also your exhaust manifold is
> subject to cracking as all 91-99 I6 ones are. But a Banks stainless steel
> header will fix that just fine! A added benefit is more low end power and
> smoother running.
>
> JoBo
>
> "Matt H" <redrobin991@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:2ff1074b.0409241215.53198e19@posting.google.c om...
> > Hi all,
> > I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> > inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> > condition with three caveats:
> > 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.
> > 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.
> > 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.
> >
> > These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> > with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> > anybody know of past problems similar to these?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!

 

Thanks for the feedback Jo Bo. I'll shop accordingly and definately
look into that header when it's time to replace the manifold!

"Jo Bo" <jromas@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message news:<Zz05d.23072$k95.22671@fe1.columbus.rr.com>.. .
> A month ago I bought a 96 with 140K miles on the clock. A little oil on the
> valve cover might just mean oil spilled when adding/changing oil. My
> transmission pan gasket was not leaking though. It was put on using RTV
> sealer and no gasket. It may be some one changed the filter and replaced the
> gasket using a cork replacement as I did. The AC might just be low on r134a
> but may have a possible serious leak though. These are not red flags and can
> be typicle for a 8 year old car. Just buy (read don't pay too much)
> accordingly/ Mine was $3000, has power this that and the other and is in
> good shape other then needing a good cleaning and the miles. I saw the
> identical car at another dealer for $6000! Also your exhaust manifold is
> subject to cracking as all 91-99 I6 ones are. But a Banks stainless steel
> header will fix that just fine! A added benefit is more low end power and
> smoother running.
>
> JoBo
>
> "Matt H" <redrobin991@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:2ff1074b.0409241215.53198e19@posting.google.c om...
> > Hi all,
> > I am considering the purchase of a 1997 Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0
> > inline 6. The vehicle has 55,000 miles and looks like it's in good
> > condition with three caveats:
> > 1) The valve cover gasket appears to be leaking very slightly.
> > 2) The auto transmission pan gasket appears to be leaking slightly.
> > 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.
> >
> > These are not items that I would typically exepect to see on a vehicle
> > with only 55,000 miles. Any thoughts? Are these red flags? Does
> > anybody know of past problems similar to these?
> >
> > Thanks in advance!

 

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Have an AC shop check and make sure it's not the evaporator. It's a common
probelm in this model and will cost plenty to replace ($900+). Most is labor
to remove the dash as the part is only $200+.

--
_____________________
HomeBrewer
85CJ7 (in Progress)
http://85cj7.blogspot.com/
99XJ Sport
Remove the xxx to reply!

 

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Have an AC shop check and make sure it's not the evaporator. It's a common
probelm in this model and will cost plenty to replace ($900+). Most is labor
to remove the dash as the part is only $200+.

--
_____________________
HomeBrewer
85CJ7 (in Progress)
http://85cj7.blogspot.com/
99XJ Sport
Remove the xxx to reply!

 

> 3) The A/C needs to be recharged.

Have an AC shop check and make sure it's not the evaporator. It's a common
probelm in this model and will cost plenty to replace ($900+). Most is labor
to remove the dash as the part is only $200+.

--
_____________________
HomeBrewer
85CJ7 (in Progress)
http://85cj7.blogspot.com/
99XJ Sport
Remove the xxx to reply!