Trying to decide whether to sink more money into my TJ or sell for a loss and walk away.
The TJ I have is a 2003 with a 2.4 engine and 250k miles. Bought it non-running. Guy I bought it from only bought it for its hard top and never did anything with it. PO had assured him it ran when parked. (Had no battery or starter.) I bought it, installed a starter, fixed some wiring, and got it started. Brakes were frozen, so replaced brakes (including rotors and drums) all around. Tried a test drive and clutch was making a horrible sound. Figured it was a bad throw out bearing, so I ordered a new clutch. Pulled the transmission and found major issues. Two upper engine to transmission mounts were broken off the motor. Pieces from the engine block (broken mounts) had gotten into the bellhousing and grenaded the dual mass flywheel, apparently ruining the rear main seal in the process. AFAIK the transmission and transfer case are probably ok. I know the t-case operates. I haven't had the transmission into any gear other that reverse or first, so can't verify proper operation. I think at this point I have around $3k into the jeep. I found another 2.4 engine (plus auto tranny and t-case) for $800 (might can get it down some). The jeep will still need a top of some kind as well.
If I sell, I don't expect to get much out of it. I won't hide the issues. Needs an engine. Frame and body are perfect, but finish is shot (terrible rhino liner job). Has A/C and compressor does get cold. Not a lot of other positives. I have no idea what I could get for it. Probably less than $2k?
So what would you all do? Get the used (190k) engine for $800 and keep going, or sell and walk away? If I sell, how much do you think it will sell for? (I'm in Tennessee FWIW).
The TJ I have is a 2003 with a 2.4 engine and 250k miles. Bought it non-running. Guy I bought it from only bought it for its hard top and never did anything with it. PO had assured him it ran when parked. (Had no battery or starter.) I bought it, installed a starter, fixed some wiring, and got it started. Brakes were frozen, so replaced brakes (including rotors and drums) all around. Tried a test drive and clutch was making a horrible sound. Figured it was a bad throw out bearing, so I ordered a new clutch. Pulled the transmission and found major issues. Two upper engine to transmission mounts were broken off the motor. Pieces from the engine block (broken mounts) had gotten into the bellhousing and grenaded the dual mass flywheel, apparently ruining the rear main seal in the process. AFAIK the transmission and transfer case are probably ok. I know the t-case operates. I haven't had the transmission into any gear other that reverse or first, so can't verify proper operation. I think at this point I have around $3k into the jeep. I found another 2.4 engine (plus auto tranny and t-case) for $800 (might can get it down some). The jeep will still need a top of some kind as well.
If I sell, I don't expect to get much out of it. I won't hide the issues. Needs an engine. Frame and body are perfect, but finish is shot (terrible rhino liner job). Has A/C and compressor does get cold. Not a lot of other positives. I have no idea what I could get for it. Probably less than $2k?
So what would you all do? Get the used (190k) engine for $800 and keep going, or sell and walk away? If I sell, how much do you think it will sell for? (I'm in Tennessee FWIW).
Kinda seems like the Jeep has been trying to tell you something..
I didn't pity him, I just wanted a decent deal. 
I checked it out good in the next two days, saw a patch job on the frame with welds that looked like chewed bubblegum. Drove it for a month and sold it for $7,000. I told the guy about the frame work and he could care less. He said he was going to drive it, then flip it. He got $8500 for it less than a year later. The moral of the long story is.....cut and run, but be upfront.
