Blown head Gasket or cracked head

[OleMissGirl]

Hi all! Totally new to the forum but glad I found you! I bought a used 2000 wrangler sport with 118,000 miles-
Great jeep! When I first drove it, gauge said it was hot! Added coolant! Not leaking or smoking! but smell when I turn it off! now have 122,000 and got garage to look at it- They say it is potentially is a blown head gasket or a cracked head!
Well Hell!
$1500 to $2000 - don't know for sure until they take it apart!
Why would I not just put a replacement engine in it-? I feel if I start with the blown or cracked stuff, then other things will break- why not just do the engine? I am new to jeeps so your input is appreciated!

 

[Tycarver]

This is the exact situation I just had. I ended up putting a new engine in the Jeep. Just don’t like the idea of not knowing how much it’s gonna cost till it’s opened up and your already $1k in. Cost me a bit over 4K to have a remanufactured 4.0 and a cam shaft upgrade done on mine.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Hi all! Totally new to the forum but glad I found you! I bought a used 2000 wrangler sport with 118,000 miles-
Great jeep! When I first drove it, gauge said it was hot! Added coolant! Not leaking or smoking! but smell when I turn it off! now have 122,000 and got garage to look at it- They say it is potentially is a blown head gasket or a cracked head!
Well Hell!
$1500 to $2000 - don't know for sure until they take it apart!
Why would I not just put a replacement engine in it-? I feel if I start with the blown or cracked stuff, then other things will break- why not just do the engine? I am new to jeeps so your input is appreciated!

I would rent or pickup a coolant pressure test kit and pressurize the system, find a clean place to park and watch for drips.

Also take a look at your oil and confirm the color is correct for it's age and the inside of the oil fill cap for any creamy looking crap. When she is cold look in the radiator under the cap for any evidence of oil or floating crap.