1985 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer XJ 2.5 liter four cylinder Hurricane from North America
Summary:
A good unsinkable vehicle
Faults:
Well, it ran really good for about 210,000 miles. Then I decided as it certainly had the miles & was dripping just a little oil, that perhaps it would be good to have the engine rebuilt. I took it to what was a very reputable shop (dealer could not even work on them any more) who had been in business for years & years. Paid nearly $3000 to have the engine completely overhauled & rebuilt along with a few other things that would reasonably go with it. Now, less than 20,000 into the rebuild, the engine is running horrible with extensive blow by, heavy oil usage, horrible power & pickup, etc. etc.
Unfortunately now the shop has gone out of business after years of service. Another shop wants to completely rebuild it again & I don't know what to do as I got laid off a while back after over 38 years, & have been unable to find another decent job. I would try to fix it myself if I knew what was really wrong with it & knew it would solve the problem. It just cannot be the engine if the first run lasted 210,000 with no problems & was still running fairly well, & the rebuild is less than 20,000 & runs like it would be 230,000, but worse. I just don't know what to do, & really wish I could find someone that really & truly honestly knew how to work on these, & do a good job for a genuinely fair & affordable price.
General Comments:
I really like the vehicle & it has been very dependable all these years until now. It is still in pretty good shape & is fun to drive, but it could probably use a paint job.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th April, 2016
17th Apr 2016, 02:46
I'm sorry to hear you're having these problems.
If an engine rebuilder can't handle a re-do of a cast iron, pushrod, inline 4 cylinder engine, what can they handle in 2016???
17th May 2016, 03:21
So sorry that happened to you. I've been burned like that too before with cars... B******ds!
Keep the ol' Jeep, till you can redo it. I'm even paying storage to keep mine, till I can rebuild it... I know they go forever and are easy.
19th May 2016, 20:18
Hate to say, bus pass til you work again. Might be better to buy a small reliable car when you bank up some funds. Good luck.
13th Mar 2017, 02:10
Midland City, Alabama.
16th Apr 2016, 01:08
Where are you located? Maybe I could help?