Hi, Ive been following this forum for a few months but just joined recently after I purchased a 96 two door with 146k on it. I am looking for some help with my situation. Hopefully as I spend more time with the XJ I will be able to help others and pay back the information I have gained from this site.I picked it up for $300 in non running condition with little information about the condition of the engine. They told me it has a blown head gasket and had badly overheated.

I took the head off and after looking at the gasket it doesn't look too bad. Does a chunk of gasket need to be gone for such problems or something more minor? Thats kind of what Ive seen in pictures but mine doesnt have that. From what Ive read the head could possibly be cracked. What do you think my next course of action should be?

Any advise would be appreciated!
Thank you,
Taylor

 

If it were me I would check the head first. IIRC check for flat/true using a straight edge and feeler guage it needs to be less than .004 inch. Check with good magnifying glass for cracks. It does appear to have coolant leaked into cylinder(s). Check for coolant in the oil, doesn't take much to damage the bearings.

 

It can be the tiniest crack in the gasket or head that opens up under temperature and pressure.

You may not see it right away at room temperature. Look for coolant trails where it shouldn't be.

 

Looks like your missing a good chunk of gasket right here. Look at the top of the picture. It doesn't look like there's gasket there.

 

^^

I've pulled more than one engine apart to find the head gasket in flawless condition, yet it leaked due to improperly torqued head bolts, improperly prepped head/block, minor warping...quite a few possibilities.
A good machine shop can test the head if it concerns you.

Looks to me like your leak is from the water passage just right and forward of the #3 cylinder.