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They Said I Need a New Motor..

5K views 37 replies 26 participants last post by  Steve2012 
#1 ·
Dropped my J/k off today at a local radiator shop because I thought I needed to have my Heater Core replaced. I received a phone call around lunch time telling me that nothing was wrong with the Heater Core or radiator system, but they believe I have a cracked block or head gasket issue.. WTF 2007 Sahara 100k miles. Not sure what to do
 
#2 ·
what makes them think that? And of course i would get it to a place that knows engines...
 
#4 ·
If it was me I'd let the dealer diagnose it. Then you can decide what to do about the repair. Every time I let someone other than the dealer fix something they diagnosed, I end up finding out it needs more than they originally found. I end up paying for repairs that didn't fix the problem, because they were just guessing.
 
#5 ·
if it was me i'd let the dealer diagnose it. then you can decide what to do about the repair. Every time i let someone other than the dealer fix something they diagnosed, i end up finding out it needs more than they originally found. I end up paying for repairs that didn't fix the problem, because they were just guessing.
^^^x2!!!!!!!!
 
#6 ·
Have a compression test done along with a cooling system pressure test... not sure what your symptoms are exactly but by your description I'm guessing its cooling system related.
Those tests will help show headgasket issues, or potential head/block cracks etc
 
#10 ·
Back in the day, we would check engine oil for milky presence, (oil contaminated with water) and or check cooling fluid for oil presence. More than likely the reason the radiator guy sent him bad news. 9 out of 10 times blown head gasket will be the issue. At least I hope in the op case..
 
#11 ·
Definitely is a blown head gasket.. Problem is, they say that I have ran the Jeep HOT on a few occasions. Dip stick has a lot of condensation & more liquid than usual coming from the exhaust.. This is shocking to me because my temperature gauge never registered HOT. I have heard my fans kick on heavy a few days ago, but never saw the needle register HOT..
 
#12 ·
I have a 5.7 Hemi laying around but never really was interested in doing a Hemi swap. 1 too expensive & my daily commute to work would suck with the gas.. Think I'm going to start looking for a newer J/k, but this kind of makes me second guess purchasing another one with me only having it for less than a year..
 
#18 ·
2007 Sahara 100k miles.
they say that I have ran the Jeep HOT on a few occasions.... This is shocking to me because my temperature gauge never registered HOT.
this kind of makes me second guess purchasing another one with me only having it for less than a year

You obviously bought this Wrangler used, about 7 years old and I assume a good portion of that 100k miles on it already. It's quite possible that the previous owner(s) did something stupid and caused the damage, and it just took a while for it to develop into symptoms that you noticed. I would not view this as an indicator of general longevity of the Wrangler engine.
 
#19 ·
Condensation on the dip stick ?
you might want to check the PCV system too.....chances are it could be plugged with
whipped up oil foamy sludge stuff. usually a product of short trips not allowing the engine to heat up and burn off the condensed moisture in the oil.
open the oil fill cap and see if there is evidence of moisture there....
The end fix is to just find another JK you like and trade it off, then you can start all over only with a different set of problems....LOL Good Luck ! "BH"
 
#21 ·
Not to dissuade you from your decision, if a new one calls to you and you have the resources, by all means. Hell, I did. But, when I first got the news that the EGR valve in my T&C was going bad (it would give me a CEL and it would go away only to come back) and it was going to cost $530 at the dealer, I talked to a reputable mechanic over the phone. While he was looking up the procedure, he commented "Oh, my" for all the stuff they had to take off to get to it (backside of the engine).

I think you should do the same, not to change your mind, but if it is not horribly serious and you can clear it up yourself, then your current JK would be worth $2-3K more on trade in. Have it thoroughly checked out your self. You know the test drive the sales manager take to test our your car? One stop is in the shop to have a mechanic read the codes and listen to the engine and look for leaks. Do not clean the engine if you are going to trade it in. A dusty, dirty (not greasy grimy) engine is what they are looking for since there are then no leaks.

Radiator shop says nothing wrong with the radiator - OK, accept that. If the temp is running high, then it could also be other causes. If you have a friend who has a compression tester, then get it checked or even take it to a shop. If nothing else, it will either confirm or eliminate a major problem.
 
#24 ·
Seems as tho the OP has totally ignored the best advice on here....spend about 40 bucks and get the kit himself and test it himself, and KNOW what he is dealing with! But it is his money and his JEEP.
 
#28 ·
Only IF you want need the RockBox. The RockBox is irreversible. You can add lockers, disconnects, stickers but if your wheeling is geared for the 2.72 low range ratio? You will learn to hate the compromises of a Rubicon.

Rubicon / Sport ??

Same as

Automatic / Clutch...

Pick it and yer stuck with it, make sure it is what you want.
 
#33 ·
From I need a head gasket to a Rubicon/Sport debate......?

Be sure to get it running before you try to trade it. Best reason to change? The 3.6 and gas mileage..... Which will be better in a Sahara than a Rubicon.
 
#36 ·
I think we are all a little set back by you having this jeep less then a year, (means you might not of had the resources to buy new) so we give advice to save you money and headaches, but you immediately revert to buying a newer JK over a head gasket. So naturally we are confused and worried you are going to make a drastic decision based on what one friends shop told you. My friends shop told me the supercharger was blown in my foxbody (oil was everywhere) when really a $2 oil seal and some cleaning would have fixed it. Being your friend doesn't make them smarter or more knowledgeable about an issue they don't even handle. If you always had the desire to buy new then say that and we wont be so concerned that a head gasket is forcing you into this spot. and like was said before your biggest gain buying newer is going to be the 3.6. Good luck!
 
#37 ·
I found this thread odd too. You asked for advice and received great advise on how to check it yourself or to get a second opinion, then you ignored it and went straight to buying a new Jeep. I guess you could always pop the top of your 2007, fill it with dirt and use it as a giant planter in the front yard.
 
#38 ·
If my son's allergy doctor told me he needed a heart transplant I would sure get a second opinion from a heart surgeon. His allergy doctor is still a good physician, however the heart is not what he works on or is trained for. A similar comparison of a radiator man and an engine man.
 
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