Should I fix my head gasket or sell my Jeep?

mattyice2

mattyice2

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 22, 2018
Messages
242
Location
York County, PA, United States
My Jeep Wrangler's head gasket needs replaced. It also caused leaks in the heater core and water pump. Both of those will need to be replaced as well. The shop quoted me 3,700 to fix. My Wrangler has 175,000 miles, and the body is in good shape. Should I fix or sell?
 
Buy a 4.2 stroker and swap it yourself.

Or replace your head gasket. Super easy on the 4.0.

I am assuming you have a 4.0...

-Mac
 
you can absolutely get a new-to-you 4.0L for a fraction of that. New motor will have a new-to-you water pump as well, that just leaves the heater core. I guess it depends on if YOU doing the work is an option. If your options are literally pay the shop or sell, I would at least get a 2nd quote. But if the rest of the jeep is solid (i.e. no rust) and you enjoy driving it, then I would definitely lean away from selling it.
 
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The heater core is a fairly time consuming job, which is why mine has been leaking for 5+ years lol. The water pump and head gasket are pretty straight forward. Can you do the work yourself? If not, have any buddies that would give you a hand?
 
yea i'd pull the head and while its off have it rebuilt, depending on how many miles are on your jeep. it's fairly easy to do and only specialty tool you'll need is a torque wrench !
 
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derekmac said:
The heater core is a fairly time consuming job, which is why mine has been leaking for 5+ years lol. The water pump and head gasket are pretty straight forward. Can you do the work yourself? If not, have any buddies that would give you a hand?
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I guess we need to know why the head gasket needs replaced, right? Did it overheat? Does he need to have the heads decked or whatever? I guess I'm more thinking worst case scenario root cause here.
 
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mattyice2 said:
My Jeep Wrangler's head gasket needs replaced. It also caused leaks in the heater core and water pump. Both of those will need to be replaced as well. The shop quoted me 3,700 to fix. My Wrangler has 175,000 miles, and the body is in good shape. Should I fix or sell?
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Fix. The discount you'd need to sell it at nonrunning is likely more than the cost of the repair.
 
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Jerry, I could use your professional help and advice on rebuilding the Dana 35 differential on my 2003 Jeep tj. Don’t know exactly the direction to go with it
 
Jeep loverforever said:
Jerry, I could use your professional help and advice on rebuilding the Dana 35 differential on my 2003 Jeep tj. Don’t know exactly the direction to go with it
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I would start a new thread, Jerry isn't even watching this one (and it's not even remotely related differentials)
 
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I would make 100% sure it actually needs a head gasket. Wouldn't be the first time a shop says a vehicle needs a head gasket and not be true.
 
I had a 2000 that had the famous 0331 head issue, I got the head on FB marketplace for 150$ in new condition from someone who didn't want to bother with it. Had my local shop install it for 225$. 3700$ is nuts considering what others have said about getting a new one engine for way less.
 
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