Help Needed with my 4.0

[GS2667]

Ok so I am going to get my wrangler checked out by a local mech and the vic overheated and stoped running, so I get towed to this shop and they check it out. They say I need a new radiator, waterpump, and thermistat, battary, to have my trans case serviced, and to get my rear diff overhauled. So I spend over $1300 to get every thing done but the rear end. I get a call from the repair shop now saying that I need to get a new engine put in because the vic will not stop overheating. I went and picked it up I drove it about a mile going home and it overheated on the way, the temp gauge went straight from normal temp to overheated. I want to fix it my self can anyone tell me wear to start trouble shooting it?

[socalkenny]

What is a vic?
It's hard to troubleshoot via internet, but it sounds like you may have a clog somewhere in the system preventing the hot water in the block from getting to the radiator. Are both radiator hoses the same temp? Have you tried flushing the system?
Is it actually overheating? Possibly a bad gauge, but I woult think the mechanic could have figured that out if it were the issue.
Also this can happen when there is a vacume lock in the system, but not usually after only driving for one mile - even in 29 Palms.
Whatever you do, don't go back to that mechanic. It sounds like they bent you over and had their way with you.

[sincitycj]

I would start off checking the small stuff. When you said it over heated after driving it about a mile, are you basing this on the gauge or did it over flow? It could be as simple as a bad sending unit for the temp gauge. Did your cooling fans come on? Were you running the ac? Also take a look and see if you see any oil in the coolant or visa versa. If you pm me your mailing addy I can burn you a copy of the FSM.

[91YEEPER]

id guess a blocked passage in the head. if it was in the block it would still take a bit for it to overheat. the temp sender in the head will shoot up quick if its not flowing fluid.

[Rocket]

i don't mean to insult your intelligence.. but have you checked the radiator cap? if the cap gets switched to the one on the reservoir it can cause over heating because it won't hold system pressure.. (same could happen if your radiator cap went bad...)

EDIT. i'm an idiot.... i was remembering my Xterra.. the coolant reservoir is part of the pressurized system.. not so on a Jeep. my bad

[gearhead1985]

did the shop install the thermostat right

[trailsnail]

did the shop install the thermostat right

With what all said above, checking to see if both hoses had pressure and were the same temp, I'd pull the thermostat and see what happens. If you pull the thermostat and eveything is normal, then you know that's the problem. If one hose is hot and the other isn't, then there is some major blockage somewhere (with the thermostat out). You could get and IR/laser temp sensor thingy and monitor the engine temp as it over heats to see if that is actually what is going on.

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=79172

[GS2667]

I just went out and looked at the oil, there is coolant in the oil. From what I have found out that means that either the head is cracked or that the head gaket is blown. I am wanting to do the work myself how much will a new head and gasket cost and what else should I do while I have it taken apart?

[TheBigDogg]

That was going to be my guess, it depends on how everything else looks once you get the head off, your bottom end is probably still good, you will have to take it to a good machine shop and have them check for cracks in the head, you might not be able to see it, and sice they have it and if it is still good, they can clean it up, maybe do a valve job.

[Rocket]

might as well get your head ported and polished