I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport XJ, 2.5L Diesel (RHD) that has a coolant leak. The coolant seems to be escaping at the back of the engine around the cylinder head gasket or somewhere slightly below it and runs down the left hand side of the join between the engine and gearbox housing. I haven’t been able to see exactly where the coolant is getting out so left it into a Jeep specialist who also couldn’t determine exactly where the leak was without doing a complete take apart. They suspected a hose at the back of the engine block but advised the labour involved in identifying the problem would take a minimum of 6 hours + Parts + reassemply resulting in the repair costing a lot more than the car is worth. They mentioned the exhaust manifold, turbo unit and several other bits of the engine would probably need to be removed to identify the problem. Also, the limited documentation I have on the engine cooling suggests there is no cooling hose at the back of the block!
Since the leak started, I have also noticed that if it is parked on an incline with the front facing up that it takes 4/5 tries to start it with a response similar to a flooded engine but this does not occur if it is parked on a level surface or with the front faced down. I don’t know if this would indicate anything but thought it might be relevant.
If anyone has experience with these engines, I’d be grateful for your opinion on :
- What the probable cause of the leak might be (Hose/Head Gasket/cracked block/frost plug) and if the 6 hours labour for the take apart sound justified.
- If I should try for a second opinion (Considering the leak is bad and getting worse so its difficult to move).
- Whether it is a job I should have a go at myself. I’ve always maintained my petrol engined cars before buying the jeep with the help of a Haynes manual and when I had more time. I don’t have any experience with diesel engines or engines this size. (Also, decent documentation for the 2.5l Diesel VM engine seems hard to come by)
- Is it time to just get rid of it?
Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
I think the labor to check out the leak is too much.
If a qualified tech. pressurizes the system, he should tell more or less where it's coming from.
Could be freeze out plug.
Posted on Oct 14, 2008
1988 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 Litre
-Problem Started When the car was jumped and the engine ground cable burned through (cut it in half)
-Replaced Items
-Rotor and Cap
-Engine Ground Cable
-Other Symptoms
-Runs extremely rough
-Lack of Power when accelerating
-Blows Black Smoke out of the tailpipe
So what could possibly be causing all of these problems?
Any suggestions welcome
Have you taken a spark plug out yet? You may have fowled them out. if they are not clean and have a whitish tone to them, then they need to be replaced.
Posted on Nov 28, 2008
The hood release cable is broken. So i tried to pop it manually. Wasn't sure if there is a manual override to be able to open without popping interior hood release latch. Please help!!!!! A.S.A.P.
NO there is no manual way . get a good flash light and look at teh latch through the grill or from under the truck and try and pop it with a long flat blade screw driver
Posted on Jan 11, 2009
I have a 1988 Jeep Cherokee with a problem. It likes to leak transmission fluid. The other day I blew out a transmission cooling line. Replaced it, and even though everything appeared smug and no leaking, as soon as I started driving the Jeep it started leaking, almost gushing out of the Radiator, which on my Jeep was also the Transmission Cooler. I started the process of installing a brand new out of the box Transmission Oil Cooler. I followed the instructions perfectly, and still was having a leak. Everything again was leak free until I started it up and added transmission fluid. Where am I going wrong? I spent over 12 hours and about 150 bucks in parts/tools for the conversion. It is an 1988 XJ with the 4.0L I6 and AT. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
you need to tighten those fittings with a wrench... if they still leak... remove them and wrap them with a couple turns of "teflon tape" the kind they use for plumbing. the clamps you should use are hose clamps of the same type that you use for radiator hoses... you will note these can be tightened with a socket.... you really don't need to over tighten them but fairly snug... transmission fluid has quite alot of pressure.
Posted on Apr 19, 2009
I just changed my MAP sensor on my 1988 Jeep Cherokee and I am still losing power going up hills. What else needs to be replaced inorder to fix this problem that isn't expensive?
Fuel filter is the main culprit when you lose power going uphill. Going level or downhill means that the engine doesn't have to work all that hard and doesn't demand much fuel, so a partially clogged filter can usually flow enough to allow the car to run smoothly. Going uphill requires signficantly more fuel, and if the filter is clogged up, it won't be able to flow enough fuel. This will bog the car down and cause you to lose speed. Change your fuel filter.
Posted on May 06, 2009
I have replaced air & fuel filter also plugs, dist. cap, rotor button, wires &plugs. TPS sensor checks ok, coil also checks ok. I have checke all vaccume lines. I recently replaced EGR valve and gasket ( a different problem ) about 3 months ago CPS censor was replaced ( could it be bad or dirty? ) I don't know what else to check. Could someone PLEASE HELP!!!!
could it be your throttle sensor? If it is a carbureted engine, check the accelerator pump inside the carb.
Posted on Aug 03, 2009
Engine will run when cranking. Shuts off instantly when key is in run position. When in run position, no 12v at fuel pump ballast resistor. It would help if I had a wiring diagram. Worked ok one day and not the next
Product is actually 1988 Jeep Comanche, 4x4, 6 cyl, manual shift.
check the solenoid on the starter it powers the ign for starting then switches to run when you let off key,either the solenoid is bad or a wire to the solenoid has come unhooked and sometime they have an in line fuse which can blow.
Posted on Sep 27, 2009
I need a routing diagram for the serpentine belt on a 4.0 L 6cyl. engine
1988
JEEP CHEROKEE - L6 4.0L 242ci GAS FI N M
Belt Routing Diagram - Multiple Accessory ( DAYCO Catalogue )
I suggest review the Jeep XJ Service Manual
Hope helped with this (remember rated this help) Good luck.
Posted on Nov 18, 2009
Need firing order diagram for 1988 Jeep Cherokee 2.5 L EFI.
Forc 1988 Jeep Cherokee 4WD 2.5 liter L4 VIN "H" check...
Hope help with this (remember rated this help).
Posted on Mar 05, 2010
i need a diagram of the front of the motor
here is a diagram of the engine bay and its components. if this is not what you needed please comment back and i will try to assist you further.
Posted on Feb 08, 2011
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