Hello everyone! So I have a 2004 jeep wrangler X automatic. I am the original owner. I love my jeep! So my check engine light went on yesterday morning. Took it in and was told the head gasket is leaking coolant into the cylinder causing a cylinder #1 misfire. The shop quoted me $2300. I picked up my jeep and took it to my regular mechanic. He didn't have time to look at it, so I will get a call tomorrow. He did mention I may want to look into replacing the engine with one lower on miles. I'm currently at 192,000. So I've been doing some research on costs and such. I'm so happy with my jeep and cannot imagine driving anything else. I do not know much about cars, so that's where advice would be very much appreciated. Is it worth it (for someone who doesn't have extensive knowledge) to rebuild my jeep? It's in pretty bad shape cosmetically. If I keep it, I may be painting it later this summer. I wanted to take my time to fix it (body and interior) back to new... I thought I would have a bit more time to think this over and do research, but looks like I may need to make a decision soon. So far I have replaced the radiator and water pump. Transmission seems to be ok for now, but I will eventually have to fix that as well if I keep it. And advice is appreciated!
Should I rebuild my 4.0 or not?
- Thread starter Mcbrugman
- Start date
First thing, get a second opinion. 4.0s don't often blow head gaskets unless they were overheated. Do you see evidence of coolant contamination in the oil or vice versa? Have your mechanic pressure test your cooling system to confirm the diagnosis.
If the head gasket is indeed blown, $2300 is a ridiculous price to replace it, even for California. If your oil pressure and compression is otherwise good, it's certainly worth replacing even with 192,000 miles, which is not much for a 4.0.
Also, cosmetically speaking, is there significant rust on the body or frame? This would be the only factor that'd give me pause when it comes to investing money into a Jeep.
If the head gasket is indeed blown, $2300 is a ridiculous price to replace it, even for California. If your oil pressure and compression is otherwise good, it's certainly worth replacing even with 192,000 miles, which is not much for a 4.0.
Also, cosmetically speaking, is there significant rust on the body or frame? This would be the only factor that'd give me pause when it comes to investing money into a Jeep.
I just replaced my head gasket @ 180k bc it was shot as well.
The 4.0 is pretty bullet proof so I'd do the head work in lieu of a new engine
The 4.0 is pretty bullet proof so I'd do the head work in lieu of a new engine
I think mine took me 8 but most of my time was spent cleaning off the old head gasket & removing the lower intake/exhaust manifold bolts.
Thank you! I took it into my regular mechanic last night, so waiting on their call with their recommendations. He was the one to mention an engine swap. He mentioned because it's an older engine. His logic is it may be better to redo the engine now instead of something going wrong not too far down the road and having to redo the entire thing.
I was rear ended about a month ago. And I know that didn't effect the engine, but I noticed the misfiring the day I picked it up from the auto body shop (a week ago). But the check engine light hadn't gone on yet, so I thought it was because it hadn't been driven for a couple weeks.
As far as rust, there is some slight rusting of my door handles which I was thinking about trying to replace myself with some help from a friend, but no real visible rust on the frame.
Thank you so much for your reply!
Thank you so much for your reply! I am waiting on my mechanic to call. I'm hoping that is all they recommend! Do you mind if I ask how much that repair cost?
I did the repair myself so I can't comment accurately but here's what I would think. A rough guess at labor would be 8 hours x $100/hr (worst case) + $250 parts. I would think a reasonable overall cost would be maybe $1,200. The A/C refrigerant will also have to be recovered so the lines can be disconnected & moved out of the way, just FYI
Parts Needed:
-Head Gasket
-Intake/Exhaust manifold Gasket
-Valve Cover Gasket
-Water Pump Gasket
-Coolant
-Engine Oil/Filter
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Thank you so much for the info. I was told they will also need to replace the cylinder?
Do you mean the cylinder head? Typically for a head gasket job you just replace the gasket that sits between the engine block and the cylinder head, then send the head out to be machined. If they want to replace the entire cylinder head, that would more reasonably justify the $2500 but unless it's cracked that would be a ridiculous step to take.
x2
This should be a simple gasket change unless something more is uncovered. I wouldn't send the head off to be machined before doing a flatness check. Chances are you will be fine without going through the expense
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
This is all silly IMO.
Put an engine in it.
There is a 4.0 with 102k on it for $750 about 30 miles from you.
Engine swap is 8-10 hour job.
Done.
Put an engine in it.
There is a 4.0 with 102k on it for $750 about 30 miles from you.
Engine swap is 8-10 hour job.
Done.
The same shop that's quoting him $2500 for the head gasket would probably quote him $5k + in labor for an engine swap.
Not to mention the more you touch, the more opportunity there is to open up additional work. I also think there is good value in knowing the complete history of your current engine versus a used one.
I'd find a more reasonable quote for a head gasket job and roll on
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Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Oh ok...so then by law he must go forth with a head gasket job on an engine with 200k only done by that shop?
I don't care who is doing it....putting head gasket money into a 200k piece is silly when there are tons of 4.0's with half the mileage out there needing a home..
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