Dead Xj

[Jeepster19]

I have some bad news guys,my Xj has expired for the time being.I was driving to pickup my girlfriend on christmas eve and noticed the temp guage was running a little warmer than normal,210 to be exact.We left her house and had dinner with family and friends.On the way back to her house the temp got hotter,around 215-220.I stopped at a red light&my Xj started idling rough,I was like WTF!Next stop light it almost shut off,lucky we were 2 minutes from her house.Then I heard it boiling over and all the water pushed out of the radiator&into the overflow jug&on the ground.I let it cool then walked back out and looked at the overflow jug and it was empty.I pulled the rad cap&it was full,I then started it and it ran fine,next thing you know it started puking antifreeze all over the place!Sounds like it blew a head gasket,I'm pretty sure of it.I just dont understand it,I never once had a problem with my Xj.Nobody to tow it on the holiday weekend, so I have to wait till monday to go get my Xj from her house.Talk about being depressed,my Xj is like part of the family.I feel lost without it!!!I will let you guys know what I find out for sure when I get it home.:(:mad:

[bluedragon436]

Yeah... does sound like maybe a head gasket.... I hope it something as simple as that, and no other issues have come from it...

[Jeepster19]

I sure hope thats all that is wrong.I guess I will replace that cracked exhaust manifold while I'm at it,makes good sense.:)

[bluedragon436]

yeah pretty much... and the IM if you ever managed to find a 99+ IM... I'm hoping I'll be able to afford to do a budget stroker if/when my engine gives up...

[Jeepster19]

IM sounds like a good idea too.I feel ya on the stroker motor,I want one bad!!!:thumbsup:

[bluedragon436]

I would love to have a nice name brand one... but will def. be hitting up the budget build... unless the lottery fairy visits me...

[bigjim350]

Sounds to me like it could also be a stuck thermostat. If its stuck closed, and the water pump is pushing it all in, and it has no where to go, it will build up a lot of pressure. Mine has done that once before.

[Jeepster19]

Thanks for the info bigjim350,I will check that as soon as I get my Xj home.:thumbsup:

[Jeepster19]

Looks like I will get to pickup my Xj in the am,that way I will get to look at before I go into work at 12.:thumbsup:

[finneys98xj]

My old purple 98 did that twice. Both times it was the water pump. Well water eat the prop. right off the damn things in a 6 month period of time.

[Mudderoy]

Yeah I was going to mention the water pump thing as well.

[GGXJ]

That sucks! Hope you get it fixed soon. I know I sure miss mine... been without it for almost 4 months now. Hoping to get it going this week!

[ice_cold]

Fill with water..keep rad cap off...turn it over..if you get a water geyser...head gasket. The compression is escaping into the combustion chamber...works best if you can get the engine to operating temp, then the cracks will open enough to give better results. Just did the head on mine, but doing the Muddy now...chasing a overheating issue...only have a pump left to replace...hoping for warmer weather.

[Jeepster19]

Thermostat was fine bigjim350.I will start tearing it down tomorrow.I also need a exhaust manifold to replace the cracked one,any help?I would like to go with a Banks Torque Tube Header but it is very pricey&I am not sure of the tube size.I don't want to lose any bottom end.

[Jeepster19]

Yeah I was going to mention the water pump thing as well.

Hey mudderoy,I forgot to mention I bought the Hesco high flow water pump.Do you think I should check that also,it's not very old at all.I would have to dig up my receipt for the exact date I purchased it.

[modestmar00xj]

yeah that sucks man. i had that happen to me while i was parked out in front of the hospital, but it was in july. All the pressure ended up blowing out the side of the raditator! luckly autozone has a life time replacement! i put in the new one in hospital parking lot! ;-)

[Mudderoy]

Hey mudderoy,I forgot to mention I bought the Hesco high flow water pump.Do you think I should check that also,it's not very old at all.I would have to dig up my receipt for the exact date I purchased it.

Man I would be pissed if that high dollar water pump went out. You're the master of your domain there. Just let us know what you find. I would hate taking the head off mine. Lots of work there...

[finneys98xj]

Hey mudderoy,I forgot to mention I bought the Hesco high flow water pump.Do you think I should check that also,it's not very old at all.I would have to dig up my receipt for the exact date I purchased it.

I would check it like I saidd my old 98 eat TWO water pumps is a 6 month period of time.

[bluedragon436]

I would check it while you are tearing stuff down... no point in replacing something else if that is still the issue... can't hurt it is only what $3.00 in seal and RTV if there is nothing wrong there??

[Jeepster19]

Update on my Xj.I haven't got it all torn down yet but this is how far I have gotten.I also ordered the exhaust manifold,replacing the stocker with one from Banks.I know it's pricey but I don't want to replace it again so I spent the extra money on it.The head is coming off in the morning,I will get pics.
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/013.jpg

[Mudderoy]

Update on my Xj.I haven't got it all torn down yet but this is how far I have gotten.I also ordered the exhaust manifold,replacing the stocker with one from Banks.I know it's pricey but I don't want to replace it again so I spent the extra money on it.The head is coming off in the morning,I will get pics.
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/013.jpg

One thing that I wish I had done when I replaced my exhaust manifold with a header, wrap it with that heat tape (correct term unknown). You know keep the heat in the pipe and not radiate as much in the engine compartment!!!! :eek: :mad0090:

[Jeepster19]

Here's the update on my Xj.Blown head gasket between #4&5 cylinder.The cylinder head was taken to the machine shop to get checked out.They are going clean it,pressure check it,magnaflux it,valve job with new seals and check to see if it's warped.Got a call and every thing checked out except for the trueness or flatness of the head.It is warped 12 thousandths,no biggie really.If all goes well they said I can pickup the head at noon tomorrow.Here's a few pics of the tear down.
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/013-1.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/010.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/009-1.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/007-1.jpg
http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/005-4.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/006-2.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/008-1.jpghttp://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/004-3.jpg

[cantab27]

ya work quick ... good too see ya will have it up and running soon ......any reason head gasket might blow ,,,,,

[Jeepster19]

ya work quick ... good too see ya will have it up and running soon ......any reason head gasket might blow ,,,,,

Don't have a clue to be honest,everything is new in the cooling system department.And I mean everything.I did buy another high flow thermostat just in case,cheap insurance.Oh and also a new temp sending unit.I didn't know this but the head bolts have to be replaced also,they are only good for one time.

[finneys98xj]

I reused the head bolts when I replaced my head and everything was fine

[finneys98xj]

Just be sure to get the torqe right.

[Jeepster19]

Update on my Xj,up and running!Man it's great to have my Xj back,stronger than ever!The thing that cost the most was the exhaust manifold-header from Banks.$438.00,but man it sounds so good&is alot quieter&more Power!:smiley-bounce015:

[cantab27]

good news mate ......

[4x4Dalton]

Great to hear its back up and runnin strong.:thumbsup:

[Mudderoy]

Update on my Xj,up and running!Man it's great to have my Xj back,stronger than ever!The thing that cost the most was the exhaust manifold-header from Banks.$438.00,but man it sounds so good&is alot quieter&more Power!:smiley-bounce015:

Good news! I know you feel better and now you can move around quicker with that smaller wallet.

[Jeepster19]

Good news! I know you feel better and now you can move around quicker with that smaller wallet.

That's for sure Mudderoy,alot lighter!Here's a few pic's of the Banks Torque Tube Header mocked up on the cylinder head.:camera:

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/027-1.jpg

http://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss179/jeepster19/028.jpg

[GFS01XJ]

Sorry to hear about that Ron, I just helped my cousin replace his water pump in his wrangler the other day. Much easier than in these XJs. I bet it does sound better now going through that magnaflow.