17th Nov 2010, 21:24

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 129,000 miles.

I had the same problem as described above. The Jeep made a ticking noise that sounded like a lifter tick. It ran this way for about 2 years. Last week the tick turned to a knock. Knowing it was beyond repair, my wife drove it until it died, which only took 3 days (about 20 miles). The #4 rod came through the block. These motors are hard to find too! I'm going with a remanufactured engine from a local engine shop which is $2000 including a new head. Apparently this is common in 99-01 4.0 liters since the pistons are thinner than earlier models and the cylinder head is junk. 02-03 models have a cylinder head that is made in Great Britain which is supposed to be better. We will see. At least I don't have a payment... or do I now?

5th Jan 2011, 17:20

We have a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that we bought new at the dealer. At 120,000 we had to add water every few days. We were afraid to take the car out of town. There was no water coming out of the water pump or hoses.

After dropping the car off at two separate Jeep dealers, they assured me that there was never a head problem. Then one weekend, I took off the valve cover and found a pasty mess on top of the valve cover. This indicated that a cracked head was allowing water in the oil. At operating temperature, the water would boil off and be sucked into the engine air intake. A new head gasket set, and valve job was estimated to cost $4,500 plus.

2nd Feb 2011, 15:08

I have a 2002 Grand Cherokee I purchased in Nov 2010 with 97,000 miles, and it has the 4.0L six cylinder. The Jeep has the infamous lifter ticking, and when I removed the valve cover to replace the leaking valve cover gasket, I noticed the rear two rocker arms were loose, and could be pushed down by my fingers. I assume these are the two noisy lifters. The left rear axle seal went bad, as well as both front door window regulators. The head is also leaking at the head and block mating surfaces. I would replace the lifters, which should take care of the oil leak, but I'm not sure it is worth the work with 118,000 miles on it.

Since 1990, I have owned a 1990 Wrangler, which I purchased new, and it had the lifter noise when first started since 0 miles, I had a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport with the 4.0L engine, and no lifer noise. The 2001 has been the best so far. I don't think I can ever buy another Jeep product again, due to all the problems I have had with the Jeep line of vehicles. I do like the Jeep, and as far as I am concerned, they fill a niche that no other vehicle can, but I just don't need the problems.

Some people say they have never had any problems with their Jeeps, and I guess they are lucky. I would think, as a mechanical engineer thinks, that by 2002, the old design 4.0L engine should have had every problem worked out.

Mike.

16th Feb 2011, 22:09

I also have a 2000 Laredo. I got it with 34000 miles on it in 2003. I have 98000 on it now.

I have had to replace all of the door locks twice. Also the oil pressure sensor. I've replaced the valve cover gasket twice and it has always leaked.

Overall I love this Jeep. I've wanted to sell it and get a new one, but I have had so little problems with it I keep changing my mind. I don't think I will ever sell it.

1st May 2011, 10:16

I will keep you in my prayers, as I too have a Jeep, and I've been in so much trouble with it. I have done all the work myself, from heating, transmission and engine. Thank GOD, so far so good. If I can help, please let me know, you can email me at fperez1965@aol.com. Hope I can help.

1st May 2011, 10:27

Please checkout your fan relay under your front fender, as I changed it. So far so good.

5th May 2011, 20:16

I agree 100%. It seems like they should do a complete recall on this year Jeep. Mine has went through 4 fans, two different wiring harnesses, a radiator, right tail light is out, which I get pulled over for all the time, losing coolant to who knows where, and about two weeks ago, it started losing oil pressure at idle. I have had enough of this Jeep, and before that I loved it, but it has cost me over 2000.00 to fix the issues I have had thus far. Did you ever find out what can cause the oil pressure problems?

10th Jun 2011, 21:27

I had the same issue with a 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6 cyl.

And I did change all the related parts such as radiator, water pump and new thermostat. Also bled air out of the system. The vehicle was still overheating. Find out lately that it was due to a heater core leak.

I don't know if that any help, but check it out in the air conditioner water drain located on the passenger side front of the engine.

10th Jun 2011, 23:02

Well, there is one thing you didn't change according to your comments, which leaves you a gap in the maintenance process.

I think you should check it out, and see what happens by replacing the oil filter with a new original one.

22nd Jul 2011, 17:15

If you are hearing a low knocking noise, it could be piston slap (piston skirt slapping side of cylinder); it will eventually break the skirt. Rebuild time, or at least new pistons and bearings.

8th Aug 2011, 17:56

I am wondering if you ever found the source of your coolant leak? I have the same issue.

12th Aug 2011, 07:05

I had some of the problems you had; I fixed almost all of them.

1. The doors and window thing - open up your driver's side door, check the rubber housing that hides the wires. I found 1 wire inside had been pinched in half. Took a few minutes to fix something that bothered me for a long time.

2. Get your mechanic to check near your inside bumper; there is switch that controls the fan. It needs to be connected, because if not, overheating will happen. I found out about this 2 radiators late.

3. Check the vehicle recall list. There is a fan recall that the dealership fixed for free.

These were some of the things I fixed. I was getting frustrated with my Jeep also, but like the thing so much that I'm now in the search for a tranny for it.