My much loved 2000 XJ engine has pretty much died. Has a cracked head. I managed to get a year of use out of it. I suspect the head was cracked when I bought it around 3 years ago, and bearing damage had already started so my local mechanic did what he could, oil changes every 3000 miles and said just run it till it dies and then we replace it. As I only do around 50 miles a day, it's lasted well.

Question is this, what should I expect to pay for a replacement engine and instal. Bear in mind I am in CA, with labour running around $100/$120 an hour... And i wish I could do some of the work myself, but I am afraid I just don't have the skills...

And would i be better off just buying this:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...192291825.html

 

Some people tend to think that just a tow-hitch means it's a tow-package, but it's not. If you go for the 89, check if it has a tranny cooler. That's a more evident sign it was a tow package.

Also, being an 89, half the electronics might not work and you'll need to convert the AC to R-124. It uses R-12, and that is a no-go. The 89 is also the RENIX model, not the high output model.

Just food for thought.

 

Being that you are in CA you're in luck for the fact that there are plenty of shops that will do anything you can dream. But that comes with a price.

If you want to replace the engine you have to think of the pros and cons. 4k for and engine swap but what else may go bad before you get your money's worth.

Buying a different jeep on the other hand is also a gamble. No one ever tells the truth. So you may need to put some money into that as well.

If you think you will keep the current jeep for years to come and still love it them do the engine swap. Otherwise sell for parts or project or keep for parts and buy something else.

 

wise words...

so ignoring the possibility of buying that XJ, any thoughts on cost of replacement. Engines seem to run $1200-$2000 depending on milage. Can't find one without 0331 casting which worries me (as does that price tag...), can anyone give me an estimate on hours for engine switch. Also, all the refurb engines say they are guaranteed for a period of time, but that doesn't really mean much does it, cause if you already paid to have it installed and its duff, they not going to refund labour are they? Any advice gratefully received...

 

I hate to tell you but you will have to get off you butt and start getting estimates for yourself from the different shops. I was born and raised in southern Ca. and move to TX about 8years ago. And from all the years being in Ca. you Will find that every shop out the will give you a different price quote. Just by going a few blocks from one shop to another the prices can change from a couple of $$$ to hundreds. So, My suggestion is get as many estimates that you can (In Writing) so the can stand by that price.

 

I am going to see the usual guy and also have a couple of other places in mind, was just looking for someone who had maybe done same so I had a frame of reference.

 

Why not have it rebuilt if the miles aren't too high? Many shops have heads which have been redisigned to fix the 0331 issue. Id say either do that which could run you less that 2k if you find a good honest mech.

Or stop at all your local junkyards and see what they have. Listen to them run, see their . condition. You can probably get a good one for 500

 

"what should I expect to pay for a replacement engine and instal."

In the words of the infamous Jesse James of West Coast Choppers "Don't ever be afraid to charge people, people like to be charged". So, 3 - 4k.

 

the rebuild option is a really good one. thanks for that. now just need to find someone willing to take it on...

anyone in LA?

 

I pick up one for 200, with 150k droped it in a zj took about a day to do eveything charged the guy about 500 to do it so in all it was around a 900 for everything. You can also look at autozone or orileys for a replacement engine for around 1500 with a 3yr 30k mile warranty. Or even take a chance at a jy motor.
The engine limit was 88-99 right? And after that the block changed I think?? I can't remember. I know 00 and 01 where coil pack, but I can't remember if you could use the older engines and still be fine.

 

might b a really stupid question, but where do you get one for 200?

and at that price if i can get my XJ to NM you want to sort mine out

 

It was a local guy here on the forum he had the rear main, pan, timing, and valve cover gaskets done before he sold it. I can get one from u pull it here for about 174 with a 50 core with a 6 month warranty for a extra 43 bucks.
We had a 99 the other day that was hit in the front the guy didn't take anything off had the cb, headlight harness, and some other things. Motor was still in but some guy last time I was their was pulling it out.
There was also another guy on craigs selling one for 75 and a trans and tcase for 75. I almost bought them just to have it but I had another motor and trans and tcase from another and another one too, that I paided 100 for the whole jeep.

 

Rambling. A couple thoughts. That 89 looks pretty nice. If the miles on the clock were around 150. and the wet/dry comp #'s were OK Idk. 25 seems pretty sweet if that pans out. Booger is YOU need to understand the thing, with no codes or engine light the shops may, or may not be much help.

We need someone to stick a replacement of their cracked 0331 head on there, and report back if the bearings really DID go south. I get IT! yes the glucolmitumious rekumes the bearings. I can't recall a single post, in years, of anyone's engine that tanked over that. Agreed it can happen, just nobody posts up with it.

I run "soupy" Castrol straight 30W in everything, except drill bits and the hack saw. (they won't cut well with that) In my opinion that stuff is amazing.

Topanga, CA, just wait a sec for it to get back up...when its really cold, like in the 40's.