New project, 2000 Jeep cherokee

[old head]

Rode the Breva over to the State surplus auction on Sat.  I had gone the month before and got outbid for a very dirty, Cherokee I saw.  It has 180k showing, headliner falling in, very dirty inside and out.  At any rate, one guy wanted more than I and ran the bid up too high for me, but when I went back Fri it was still there, I guess he didn't have the money or changed his mind.

So, I got it this time, paid my money rode home and had a friend bring me back, hopefully I could drive it home, or he could tow if need be.  The battery was dead, and had flat tire.  The tire held air, and we jumped it off, cranked right up, idled rough but it ran.  On the way home, it smoothed out some, but was still stumbling at acceleration and at idle.  Pulled some to the left and when braking keeping veering to the right.  Over 45 the whole Jeep shook violently, I suspect a tire separating.

After getting home, the right front wheel was hot, you could feel it radiating by passing your had by the wheel.  and of course the fragrance of burning brakes.  the check engine light is on, but the AC works.  Radiator is very rusty, and lots of red dust inside the engine compartment and under the Jeep.  I suspect it belonged to an inspector in middle to upper Louisiana where red dirt is prevalent.  There is an oil leak, oil looked fairly clean, and the auto trans fluid did't smell burnt, and the tranny seemed to shift good.

Looking for things that I should be on the lookout for that are peculiar to a 2wd cherokee.  Obviously, will start with the flushing the brakes, then check wheel bearings, and grease the front end.  Next is to flush and change antifreeze and hoses and belt.  Then move to new plugs and wires, after pulling the ck engine codes and see where that leads me.

does need some paint as it has some surface rust where the paint has worn thin or peeled off.  Will clean the rust off and prime and touch up to keep the rust in check until I can it prepped for a new paint job.  Looks like a one driver, the rear seat and passenger seat don't seem worn at all, just very dirty.

Old Head

[guzzisteve]

The later XJ's have a cam in them for more power, not as good on mileage as the early ones. It should have a coil pack bar, and no dizzy at all.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Since 1990 we have been driving used Cherokee XJ's 4x4 5 speed.....A total of 5 and now own a 99 and 97 right now....
  The late 99 -01 4.0 is known for cracked heads...In 2000 the XJ got a new port fuel injection system with a mass air flow sensor rather than the earlier speed density no return line port injection. Supposedly the newer injection is a bit more trouble than the older system that was trouble free from my experiences...
 Little things fall off but it doesn't seem to hurt the running of it....A true utility vehicle than can push a stalled car or a fallen tree out of the way with minimal damage..Inexpensive lights that are easily replaced after bouncing off small trees....In my opinion, arguably, the last real Jeep....Yes the modern Wrangler has straight axles but is far more complex...

[Noguzznoglory]

cherokees with the 4.0 six are rock solid dependable. no real issues with them. trans are the jatco trans that toyota uses and seldom go bad, unlike the grand cherokee.
during the cash for clunkers thing, some friends at a ford dealer were conducting a test for the most durable motor. they were supposed to drain the oil and add the silicate liquid that would facillitate the motor seizing.  they were just draining the oil and running the vehicle til it seized. the chrysler 4.0 was far and away the champ. they ran one that never would lock up. the manifold and exhaust system got cherry red and they were fearing the whole vehicle was going to catch fire. they shut it down and added the silicate compound to finally kill it.

[Rough Edge racing]

cherokees with the 4.0 six are rock solid dependable. no real issues with them. trans are the jatco trans that toyota uses and seldom go bad, unlike the grand cherokee.
during the cash for clunkers thing, some friends at a ford dealer were conducting a test for the most durable motor. they were supposed to drain the oil and add the silicate liquid that would facillitate the motor seizing.  they were just draining the oil and running the vehicle til it seized. the chrysler 4.0 was far and away the champ. they ran one that never would lock up. the manifold and exhaust system got cherry red and they were fearing the whole vehicle was going to catch fire. they shut it down and added the silicate compound to finally kill it.

 Well, not exactly rock solid, there were a small but noticeable percentage of late 90's 4.0's that cracked a piston. And also the cracked heads ....The piston issue is generally  from sloppy factory piston to wall clearances from what I hear...The cracked head usually after overheating but not always..
 Our daughter just scrapped her 97 Cherokee with 385,000 miles, supposedly original engine and transmission...

[old head]

well, just an update
couldn't clear the check engine by disconnecting battery so I could get my state inspection.  Borrowed my brothers code reader, and told me I had tranny code PO700, number 2 misfire and solenoid error?

So this code reader cleared the codes, I drove to the station about a mile from the house got my inspection sticker and as I was pulling out the check engine light came back on.  that was close

So, I ordered belt, hoses, plugs, rear latch handle (wouldn't open the hatch), and few other bits from Rock auto, came in 3 days.

Today, changed the plugs, must have the originals they were really fouled.  Changed the oil and filter, cleaned the battery.  Fired it up and the check engine light went away.  drained the radiator, and put some flush in and drove to Wally world to pick up some antifreeze.  Light never came back on.

Still have a shutter when you first accelerate from a start, not sure what that is yet, but we will see.

Spent about $5 at the local car wash washing all the red clay off the everything, still not clean yet, but close.

Runs much better now, doesn't stumble or idle roughly. 

Wife still can't get the key to turn on, maybe she won't be able to drive after its all fixed, so sad.



Old Head

[azguzzirep]

Having grown up driving and towing home auctioned vehicles, I am completely familiar with your situation.

I bought a Jeep Wagoneer at auction, State surplus I think, and drove it around for a couple years. Loved it! Good luck with yours !

Tom

[britman]

A "Box Jeep" with the straight 6 cyclinder 4.0 is a true beast.  I have owned a couple of them through the years, I wouldn't mind finding another one as a knock around, go to the dump, and take the Old Dog vehicle.  Would have to have under 300K on the odometer though, they are just getting broken in by then.......

[dl.allen]

I have a 98 sport 5/speed with 190k

In damp weather the fan stays on sometimes but just tap on the relay

The PO bashed in the entire right side so I got it cheap.  Someday it would be cool to fix that and paint it

[old head]

Ran up to Wally World, and the check engine light is back on, rats...

Well,  I guess its a trip to the local trans shop to see if they will change the oil and filter and adjust the bands, hopefully, new fluid will solve the trans codes, fingers crossed.

Shifts good, doesn't seem to slip, just a shutter when taking off from a stop?

the radiator is going to need another flush, it was really filthy, leaving the flush in for a few days this time.

the motor still has slight roughness at idle.  Could be fuel filter or injectors dirty I suppose.  Bought new gas yesterday, dumped in some seafoam.  Could be just needs driven if it sat up a long time I suppose.

Had a real bad shake once you close to 50, thought it was a tire separating, but the shake hasn't occurred since the new plugs, strange?  Time will tell,

Old head
Old head

[dl.allen]

Xj are known for death wobble
Check everything in front end

[Josh1021]

Bought our XJ new in 01/2001.  4X4 Limited.  My wife wanted it and still drives it.  ~155k miles.  I've TLC'd it fiercely its whole life.  The only regret is that its spent more time out of the garage than I care to do to my vehicles.(Moto's take priority  )

I'm afraid that despite the 1997 refresh and "improvements" to the engine ~MY 2000 we can't claim the same reputation for our particular 01 as those XJs from say the mid 90s or even 80s.  I don't have a cracked head (yet) but pretty sure the gasket has begun its death spiral. #3 injector loves to pee when outside temp over 80f causing misfire & code.  Definitely have had piston slap since ~120k.  Water pump at 80k etc. etc.  Ours hasn't rusted nearly like others in the area thanks to my religious chassis cleaning with the power washer. 

Like most Chryslers, the suspension was clapped out at about 85k (almost no off-roading with it).  A/C needed to be rebuilt (full dash removal/reinstall) and all the quirky electrical gremlins these are known for.  Needless to say, I'm not a fan.  Only reason the XJ is still part of the family is my wife's sentiment, a 15 YO who needs a beater soon and I know the thing inside/out (for better or worse).

My dad insisted on buying GM his whole life (not sure why) as most everything he's owned was garbage regardless of miles or age.  I was dumb enough to put 3 transmissions in a Chrysler minivan before sending it down the road (prematurely rusty).

Anyway, all this rant to say there is likely a generation or two of us who are all too familiar with domestic brands knowingly turning out garbage product.  Its highly unlikely I'll ever buy a Chrysler product (and they do have some compelling product now) the rest of my life because of these two vehicle experiences that were far from pleasant.

Ironically, until recently, I owned a 25 YO Mercedes diesel (which should have nickel and dimed me to insanity) and it was nothing but fun, reliable, full of character and a joy to own (not unlike my high-mileage Toyota Sequoia).

Question, have the domestics finally learned their lesson?  As a proud American, I sure hope so.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Well I hope you can fix it up and stay off the trail of tears.

[old head]

Up to now its been new plugs, oil and filter, belt, hoses, and flushing radiator (took 3 times to get it clean) and new antifreeze, and a through power washing to clean the red clay.  Have to make another trip to the car wash, still not clean.  Soap and water to the interior, much better.

it runs very good now, just a slight miss at idle. code reader says cylinder 2 misfire.  checked for a vacuum leak, nothing.  so I guess it must be the coil pack or a sticky injector.  At speed it runs fine.

 Seems to be shifting much better now that I added some fluid.  the only issue I haven't figured out is why it shudders when going around a curve or sometimes the 1st to 2md upshift at certain accelerations.   I checked the u joints, and found no play in the drive shaft.  I checked fluid in the differential, was full and was dark but not bad.  My thinking is the limited slip is not slipping in some instances and the rear tire is chattering.  so am going to change the oil and add some friction modifier to see if that fixes it.  It is certainly not as bad as when I first got it, I am hoping it sat around for a long time and it is working itself free.

Found 3 punctures in the tire that kept going low.  My riding buddy knows a guy that fixes the interior roof covering at a good price, as it is falling down.

Old Head

[Two Checks]

The Jeep 4 L 6 is an AMC engine.