cherokeelaredo'90

Is that pointed towards a specific brand? Because what I've read and heard is that stop leak is just a really dirty bandaid that's going to make it worse when it does come time to replace the head gasket.

cruiser54

Nope. Just a thought to get you by for awhile.

cherokeelaredo'90

I'll think about it.. just go for the bars stuff? Or is there something better

Radi

I'd skip the 'liquid glass' type stuff with sodium silicate, there's the possibility it could permanently clog parts of the cooling system. There's no way to get that stuff out again once it hardens.

cherokeelaredo'90

That's why I'm a little weary if putting that stuff in just to get me by.

zombie jeep101

I had the same problem. My head was cracked

cherokeelaredo'90

Ooo that seems worse than mine! Mine only smokes after a full heat up and shut down, then restarting it a couple minutes later. I haven't seen it smoke at all this week but that's because I've just driven to school and parked. I may look into the stop leak since spring break is a couple months away..

Turbo X_J

"since spring break is a couple months away.. "

Might want to start building a motor now, just in case.

cherokeelaredo'90

Yeah that's what my dad and I were thinking of doing. I'd pick up a junkyard ho motor and rebuild that. Swap that in and convert the tps sensor to the ho throttle body and done. Nice strong, new motor. I've read around and it seems I just need to find a 91-93 motor because those have the port for the cps.

cruiser54

Here's an easier way to do it with less expense and you're not limited to 91 -93 motors at all:



Cruiser’s HO into Renix Swap
This swap is easier than some will lead you to believe, generally those who have never done it. Those of us who have done it, like myself, will share with you the things that need to be done for a successful swap. Just think of it as swapping in a long block.
The HO and Renix have some differences but none that can’t be overcome very easily.
Any HO engine from an XJ or ZJ through 1998 can be used. One running change was that the rear of the head was no longer drilled and tapped for the temperature gauge sender beginning in the 96 model year. The sender can be relocated to the threaded hole in the thermostat housing taken from the HO engine. You’ll have to extend the wire to that location. Some brave souls even drill and tap the HO head for the sender.
You will be using the intake and exhaust manifolds from your Renix, along with all your sensors and wiring. Since the intake ports of the HO are slightly different, you use the Renix gasket. Exhaust ports are identical.
You will need to use your Renix distributor as it is different than the HO because they use different fuel management systems. The flywheel or flexplate from the Renix must be used so your CPS gets the correct signals. The valve cover from the Renix allows you to keep your CCV system intact and requires no modifications.
The HO block will have a plug in the coolant galley on the driver’s side of the block, closest to the front, which needs to be removed so your Coolant Temp Sensor can be installed in it’s place just as it is on the Renix. It requires a 5/16" square drive or a modified 3/8" drive that has been ground down to fit. Do this before installing the engine.
As for the knock sensor, which is located just above the oil pan on the driver’s side of the engine about mid way, all the blocks I’ve seen are threaded for it. If not, I’ve heard they may be drilled but not tapped. Tap the hole if that’s the case.
　
Revised 07/24/2012
　

BimmerJeeper

I know a few people who have used Bar's Leak successfully. If the engine is already screwed, what have you got to lose? What exactly is it going to clog. Are cooling passages that tiny?

Firestorm500

It'll get your heater core.

Pulling and putting an engine is easier than replacing one of those.

BimmerJeeper

What do you mean by "getting" the heater core?

cherokeelaredo'90

From what I've read, stop leak tends to clog your heater core. I searched up last night if I should use it and what's the best brand and there was atleast a handful of posts about it clogging their heater core on all the websites I looked at.. I don't know if I want to take the chances. I like my heat haha

BimmerJeeper

If your heater core is clogged, won't this bring the entire Jeep to a stand still? Coolant is blocked and therefore the entire system is compromised since coolant isn't moving anywhere.