I bought a MECHANIC SPECIAL Jeep Grand Cherokee.. will it run?

[@southwestvajeeper5106]

Absolutely LOVE this content Doug; way to go on keeping the WJs alive! I bought me an $800 4.7 WJ Limited last summer with blown head gaskets, did all the work myself and am now daily driving it. Running like a champion with 235k miles! Just took it on a 300+ mile roadtrip and she didn't miss a beat!

[@JohnDoe-le8fy]

You make THE most entertaining car repair videos.. a natural!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Thanks bud!

[@sccarguy8242]

How about a true, budget build, at home repair, get er done…. Use a single Junk yard head… junk yard piston (assuming it can be removed in frame), and slap her back together. Maybe new bearings if you want to be nice…. How cheap can you get this Jeep back on the road ? Good content plus then you have a 35-4500 rig..

[@DEInTheGarage]

You have the best ideas bud! Haha. I am definitely leaning that way. It is a very clean WJ for this area. I know you know. Haha

[@jerryg8606]

@@DEInTheGarage definitely do this! Will make great content to go along with the excellent commentary!

[@snoopysrc]

​@@DEInTheGaragejunkyard parts and fix

[@mechsupernova]

I got a 99 wj and i love it, its my daily driver, paid $800 dont approximately $1200 worth repairs and it runs like a dream

[@papajonwj]

Oh bud you got me chuckling hard there. Junk cars are cheaper than sheds and you ain’t lying! Haha dang I can’t wait to tell that to the wife.

[@Yoyo81828]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@paranormaladventurer4922]

Ironically I just bought a 2004. It's not perfect by any means, but I like it so far! I still have to get it looked over and see what it needs.

[@wildbill23c]

Nice, last year of the solid axle Grand Cherokees. Don't really care for the WK's, the current ones don't look too bad I guess, but way too expensive LOL.

[@LordMondegrene]

You should poke around the North Cal yards. They have half a dozen 90's Grand Cherokees with NO RUST, junked because they failed Cal smog inspection.

[@TheMainLead]

He’s in New Jersey bro

[@LordMondegrene]

@@TheMainLead I know. It's just a shame we have all these Jeeps that still run being junked.

[@peachyclean93]

​@@LordMondegreneit's New world order it's completely disgusting to see them in the junk yards my friend just lost two of intrepids because of that oh but Taylor Swift can go on her private jet all over the world oh God did though your car is going to commit the ozone layer to burn up so stupid

[@wildbill23c]

Damn that could almost be worth a trip down there unfortunately they probably don't sell them as a whole vehicle like the yards here in Idaho, they won't sell you a vehicle out of their yard, but they'll sure as hell crush it instead. Lots of vehicles with great bodies and interiors that have been crushed because of the nonsense rules they've made up at these yards.

[@LordMondegrene]

@@wildbill23c No, in California, you can buy the whole vehicle, as long as you haul it out on a flatbed. No driving it away, since it failed smog and is unregistered.

[@geostanley409]

Dropped valve seat is the number one common issue with the 4.7. Not surprising at all. What is surprising is that someone caught it before destroying the entire engine.

[@douglasbeary7890]

It is a common problem usually because all the DIYers don't know how to purge the cooling system properly.... it's a crying shame.... the 4.7l is actually a darn good motor if you know your way around it.

[@Ramcharger85]

I like these year jeeps. A fresh rebuild and fresh fluids and boom. You got yourself a sweeter ride than when it arrived. 😊❤

[@wildbill23c]

Haven't had a WJ yet...I've owned 2 ZJ's, and now own a JK 2003 Liberty Limited.

[@Wageslave645]

I have an '06 WK with a 5.7 that I bought that had a burned #1 piston. The dealership I bought it from put a used engine in it and got me back on the road. 300 miles later it blew an upper radiator hose and overheated the engine. About 50 miles after that was fixed, it dropped a valve seat. $7000 worth of crate engine later, I finally got a running and driving Jeep. Moral of the story: Never ever get a Jeep engine hot. It only takes one overheat event to drop those valve seats.

[@wildbill23c]

Happened with my 98 ZJ's 4L I6, got it hot after an idler pulley grenaded itself on the highway. Had to keep pushing it until I had a spot to pull over safely, but the damage was already done, blew the head gasket, and never ran right after it was fixed, then puked transmission fluid all over my carport one day not too long after the expensive head gasket, and pulley replacement ordeal...so I sent it down the road sadly....was in really good condition inside and out other than the engine/transmission issues....the previous owner I think neglected several things in the maintenance side of things LOL.

[@garyd.7294]

Still my '99-'04 Grand Guy, cool bud. I still drive my lifted '01. 175,850. Bone yards are few & far between in my neck of the woods. Love ya man, have sent you message in years.

[@craigtegeler4677]

Big Question: How much did you end up paying for this 02??? Q2: What is the current mileage on this turd??? Oh, I see! @5:31....169,672 miles! It's usually around 175K miles when the 4.7's take a dump for one reason or another but I get it now about when somebody puts the wrong antifreeze in it what can really happen that could possibly end up roasting the head! But causation on this one is perhaps 2 if not 3 things happened that caused this one to un@$$ itself that made the valve seat to kiss the piston!!! 1.) As you so stated early on, the power steering fluid was wicked low and this was a start to a possible overheating if not just an elevated temperature. 2.) Wrong coolant, also a contributing factor! 3.) In addition to the previous manifestations, the previous owner may have also been romping on it at the time of the dropping of a valve seat. It's most unfortunate for these things to have occurred but enough to say: I see says the blind man! Well, my 03 JGC WJ currently has 180K plus and I've been very leary about this same situation happening to mine! This is why I have been wanting to go ahead and purchase lifters and swap the hydraulic fan over to an electric fan and do a bypass for the power steering hoses OR just couple the two hoses together with a union if at all possible, and replace the inline fluid filter and do a complete flush of the power steering and rack too! Up till this point, my engine has not made any unusual noises and the oil pressure is good and very minimal hydraulic lifter noises period! If for any reason that you decide to do a parting out of this tired beast, BE SURE to let me know because there are some things that I would be interested in! Mine is a PA vehicle that is still in most reasonable shape to some extent and I do need parts. Now I did paid 1k for mine back 3 years ago and I've kept it off the salty roads for 3 years running, starting my ownership when it had 171K miles on it. I drive it only at leisure and for grocery getting with it. I do know that the front and rear diff's need to be overhauled, new U-joints thru out, new exhaust from the cat back, new tires and brakes to be refreshed. It does need new engine oil pan gasket and seals, it does need valve cover gaskets, the radiator is fairly new and so all hoses are also in need of replacement as well. I had already allotted 2,300 bucks and purchased the overwhelming extent of the parts as is, with the exception of the front differential internals, rearward upper suspension components 2 piece and new tires and so that's about it for misc rebuild items incurred. So another 8-900 bucks should bring all the rest of what is needed in the way of parts per say to roll it up into one meat package. The labor aspects will have to be absorbed such with me and my son for a partial restoration totaling around 5 grand. BUT, if I do manage to pull things off in good fashion, I should still have a vehicle that I can still drive for 2-3 more years with ease and so this is my goal.

[@markross5410]

My 99 did the same thing after 350,000 miles, Purchased New in 99 Sad to see the old girl go.. Purchased a 2002 and using the 99 for spare parts. lol...

[@cravenadventures]

Not even a minute into your video and I am getting all kinds of happy vibes finally a Jeep Video!!! 😊

[@wildbill23c]

Heck fix it up since you have the skills and ability to do so, and resell it. Other than the hood it doesn't look to be in too bad of shape overall. Looked like its a Quadra-Drive model, that is kind of nice in the winter. Kind of curious how much it would cost you to do a back yard junk yard fix on it. Trouble is they really cram those V8's into those engine bays making them a tad bit hard to work on....although I can't say much, my 99 Ford F250 Super Duty is worse I think with the V10, takes some reaching to do the plugs and ignition coils, last 2 cylinders on each side are a pain because you can't see what you are doing, so you can only go by feel. I haven't had a ZJ or WJ with a V8 yet, I'd love a ZJ with the 5.9L 360 V8 though LOL. I heard that the WJ's with the 4.7L H.O. engine don't have those issues and have heavier duty parts in them as well. Pull a 4.7L H.O. from the junk yard and engine swap that WJ you got LOL. I just picked up a really nice 2003 Jeep Liberty Limited this past weekend.....paid a bit for it but its been dealer maintained, and has 129k on it. 3.7L V6, automatic, fully loaded, and has the Selec-Trac 4WD in it which is what I wanted, love it in the winter. We shall see how this does in the winter, I've never driven a Liberty but from my ZJ experience I'm hoping it does well in the snow like my ZJ's did.

[@garyd.7294]

Oh Buck, by the way have you ever pulled a WJ dash to replace the evap & heater core? I'm 68, can't do the job myself.

[@joelove3158]

Sounds like a new video at a pull-a-part yard is in the near future.

[@CrownVictoria1984]

I got my 2004 WJ four years ago and the hood was rusted just like that! The Jeep started off life as a southern Jeep and had almost zero rust except for the hood. I ended up replacing the hood with a new one. Why do they rust like that?

[@scottc1008]

Good job! Use those nice schwanky shocks from the rear hatch along with the '02 guages and then sell it.

[@olsonjamie]

I did this repair on a 2002 with 4.7ho replaced valve seat and another vent valve got her done she ran perfect and it was the same head as yours and same cylinder I think these had a problem with the valve seats

[@CleanAFcardz]

Me and my dad had this same exact thing happen in my 4.7 at 150k, we replaced the bad piston , got refurbished heads from heads international and I just passed 170k and going strong ! Watched a ton of your videos to get it fixed lol , mine was so bad there was chunks of piston in the intake and we had to hose it out a ton lol.

[@mcgama88]

A 94 XJ became my daily driver and after a fresh motor, thousands of K 's, went into my shop for a trans. I bought an WJ (2004) to drive. Both have the 4.0. And where I enjoy my shop and various repair. At this model, this engine...the modern repair costs are much higher as the fluids, the various parts have seen sharp increase. The target worth of the model just wont match up to the spend calculation (sometimes).. Also, comes the fact as rust belt. (I live in Washington state, so no issue). And where many used Jeep models are still inexpensive, and in good suppIy. So where a good donor engine is at hand? Maybe a save possible? In a general sense, all of these models have high miIes. Where the maint was best as individual car.....those are the best project. But here, with high heat, a fresh engine is my guess as to save this machine. Questions as..."is there shop space for the work? hoist, bench space? Have mice feasted on the various wiring? How much estimate as connectors, fasteners missing or refit is expected? What of the trans, other drive components as condition? just what is the interior like? It's a bit of hard questions to set about saving where an engine is at task. Don''t get me wrong. I enjoy these modeIs. But a hard look at the costs, time, repair issues is needed and I view the general difficult storage as a hard bit to get over as detailed to full function, fully reliable. Sort of right at the edge of junkyard outcome. The cost of any newer model, and the same repair calculation makes it a win to restore these machines in the right selection. And fun to add individual modification. In the end, I park my XJ inside the shop, plan various new parts purchase and leave the WJ in the rain and snow. As this beauty has seen such treatment. But very nice when restored. Liked your post. regards. M.

[@Cstoreri]

Couldn’t you have dropped the scope down that cylinder through the spark plug hole to find the damage? Thanks for the video.

[@DEInTheGarage]

If I had a working one, yes. I have since invested in a replacement. Haha

[@ProjectDanH]

"Junk cars are cheap than sheds" truest statement ever told

[@busboyaa8324]

Which coolant is best for the 99 WJ 4.7L V8? Because it says to put the green stuff in there but I know you said orange right? Any particular brand?

[@radarnj8043]

I need nice comfy seats for my silver 2000 XJ Cherokee? South Jersey.

[@peterodriguez5350]

I would love to know why 4.0's have a knock that goes away when it's cold. I have looked it up and all that is said that it just carbon build up.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I believe that specific knock is from loose (worn) rotating assembly parts which expend when warm to take up enough clearance to not knock. Idk though. Haha

[@captaincymbalmandesanta5577]

Great content love the positive attitude even though the engine is hooped keep up the good work.

[@JohnDoe-le8fy]

Can magnetize any screwdriver / bit by just rubbing it around over a normal magnet, spare speaker laying around? Use that!

[@steakdave666]

does the coolant rule apply to the 4.0 too?

[@DEInTheGarage]

Nope, they get good ole lime flavored!

[@daniel226]

Love the videos man i just bought a 07 dodge ram 1500 189k miles what should I do to prevent overheating or dropped valvle seat?

[@1stzjtruck706]

I had fun rebuilding my 4.7 that engine ran great afterwards but unfortunately my daughter and son in law traded it in for a new Subaru

[@tinmansolo5855]

You opened that throttle body and said " eeeew!" so did I. As soon as you pulled the intake, dunzo, rip, LS swap time or a 4.0 and send it! Got a WJ at my corner dealership. Not sure what engine yet as I haven't stopped to check her out. Looks clean.. but as said, not had a close up. Also I have an old skool multi tool to send you. NetCraft.. thinking fisherman tool , but yours to add or start a collection. I'll email ya sir.

[@brynnond.6952]

Have a 2002 4.7 WJ, 262k and desperately needs timing chains, gonna do coolant flush here in a week or so, gotta get old green coolant out from the previous owner and after that this summer I’m gonna do timing chains and hopefully make it beyond 300k and then some

[@Trueno1600]

Any chance yo do some more automotive history or car news videos? I really enjoyed them and miss them a lot!

[@stevenschulte8074]

Where did you get that hoodie

[@DEInTheGarage]

I made it. I am going to launch then for sale at some point. Just need the time to handle the manufacturing process. Maybe this summer (great time to sell hoodies!). I will likely launch on Instagram.. if you are into that kind of thing.. otherwise I'll mention it in vids as well.

[@chrismennig872]

"Junk cars are cheaper than sheds"😂 put it on a shirt.

[@tonydowd8566]

I've got an 04 JGC Limited with the 4.7. 162 K original 2 owner. I've replaced the rockers, timing chain tensioners, rad, and head gaskets, but still have an annoying consistent tick on the driver's engine side, and a consistent rough low idle. Still runs really strong when giving it all the onions.. Not a rod or rod bearing, as the tick doesn't change when revving the engine. Otherwise very clean and rust free. Any ideas or do we just pull the head and hope it's a valve???

[@DEInTheGarage]

Nothing specific comes to mind bud. Pulling the head is probably a good call to get a better look. Maybe try a scope first? Good luck with it!

[@brendandonovan9040]

Me and my girlfriend just bought brand new heads for her 4.7. What I would do is take that piston out and replace it and your. Good to go clean everything really good and it’ll last along time the heads we bought were a 1000 dollars not to bad.

[@williammayhew2783]

Definitely would have used a bore scope in the cylinders after checking plugs and compression. Saves a lot of time when you don't have to remove a head to see the dropped seat or piston damage.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I didn't have one at the time. I swith Ed from iPhone to Android and my old one didn't work. Agree that would have saved me a ton of time. Haha

[@niclopez925]

Nice video i have a 2004 wj overland and wouldn't trade it for nothing i would have went as far as you did if it were me i would be looking for another motor for sure no questions ask..

[@DEInTheGarage]

Nice! I want a really nice Overland more than any other WJ. They are really hard to find around NJ

[@mattjohnson4862]

Nice jeep what happend to the out back

[@DEInTheGarage]

Best I can tell it blew a head gasket and hydro locked cylinder 2. Wrist pin is on the wrong side of the piston. Haha. I haven't gotten the head off yet but we got a scope done there

[@jmac6782]

Please keep the repair videos coming along with the salvage yard tours.

[@DEInTheGarage]

I'll do my best!

[@boogerhead0]

Well, at least it wasn't a #8 rod knock. Thanks for the easy humor. Spare cars for storage. Yessss.

[@himeedajew]

Not sure why you dont have more views

[@peachyclean93]

Those Jeeps are amazing the girl across the street had a 99 4.7 that was such a good SUV she messes it to death

[@Gatedragon187]

It is in to good of shape to send her to the junkyard. Pistons are cheap, get a junkyard head, pull the other head, relap both heads, replace rings. Remember they don't make these anymore so lets keep them around.

[@macsloan58]

Park it down by the street. Maybe the garbage truck will take it. Maybe the snow plow will crush it. Maybe it would make a heck of a lawn ornament down there. Your neighbors will be very enthused to have it there.

[@christopherleemcn3776]

Great video, if anyone has worked on one of these you sure brought trauma and good memories back.

[@ProjectDanH]

Oh The sound of a missing 4.7 chugging along. Unfortunately I know that sound all too well

[@4x4rcoff-roadtractors54]

The 4.7 engine from Dodge ain't too bad of an engine my mom had one of her 2000 Dodge Durango it's at the junkyard now I did do a burnout with it before it's meant to the junkyard and the reason I said junkyard is cuz it was just rotted so bad it had over 233,000 but you know the chain was a little rattly on the timing but otherwise it ran didn't have a problem

[@MrPdc667]

How much for the wheels?

[@DEInTheGarage]

You local to North Jersey?

[@MrPdc667]

@DEInTheGarage No sir, Oklahoma. I did hear that's where you were in the video. Don't know what I was thinking. Lol

[@740TRD_4r]

Lol! I'm not the only one with that fantastic childrens book

[@ytelpeloncito5151]

Got a 97 zj 5.2 4 sale

[@R6TissueMe]

D&E you should fix it make it nice redoe the whole thing new seats and rebuild engine do it

[@SlingSuds]

Why does lube it usa and other lube places insist that green coolant will not do damage to the engine and told me I be wasting my money to flush the system and put the pink stuff.

[@redtango75]

I can't express my disappointment enough. I fully expected Eric to show up with a revived curb find leaf blower. Of course to clean out that cowl and prepare the engine bay.

[@geostanley409]

Never start a 4.7 without checking the compression on ALL cylinders when they rattle like that. At that point the heads are still good and the cylinders should be. Running them afterwards could cause complete engine failure.

[@may132005]

I own 2002 WJ with only proper 4.0 L engine. Why am I watching 👀 this video 😂?

[@benfischer655]

Another great video!

[@orygunchainsawmassacre6761]

Love ur vids bro. Do a Magnum zj doa ☺️☺️

[@mattkork]

That's what killed my 04 WJ, 4.7 HO. Made it about 230k but wasn't willing to do the work to repair. I was only able to sell it for $500 I think, wish I would have pulled the tow hooks off before I sold it, I didn't know at the time they were in such demand!

[@DEInTheGarage]

Sounds like it had a good life! 230 is a lot

[@mattkork]

@@DEInTheGarage yep, I drove it from 2005 to 2018, can’t complain.

[@danhambrick6331]

Budget build with YunkYard parts Douglas..👍👍😁😁

[@jeremydawkins8399]

Dropping valve seats is one of the most common fatal flaws of the 4.7. Groom's Engine's did a study on why the 4.7 dropped valve seats so frequently and found the metal used in the heads was too low a quality and would fatigue at lower pressure loads. The 4.7 is one of the worst modern V8's made.

[@niclopez925]

Yeah not bragging I feel I got super lucky I am the third owner and bought it with 124.000 on it and have modified it like crazy I am running long arms in the front and rear on 8 inches of lift with 33s all from Iron Rock off road.

[@muddyjeepers5944]

lol my kids have the same Go the f to sleep book that’s in the Subaru 😂

[@DEInTheGarage]

It'd a good-y. 🤣

[@salvatorebaleno9807]

Hell yeah! Lets go!

[@4x4rcoff-roadtractors54]

Well that is true that's a new one to me because the 4.7 we had had pure green coolant and it ain't what killed the engine and we owned it for over 7 years what killed the engine was a junkyard

[@DEInTheGarage]

To be honest, they do fine with the green. It was really only important 20 years ago when they were under warranty

[@4x4rcoff-roadtractors54]

@@DEInTheGarage Yeah that does explain a lot what's the warranties gone put in whatever it keeps it cool in the winter and protects it enough

[@deplorableconstitutionalis2834]

I say might as well fix it. Wrong coolant did that thing no favors either. Prolly ran the wrong stuff in the power steering pump too

[@tobiasa3416]

Love you hoddie 👍

[@craigtegeler4677]

There's just so many of us that do run across these WJ's that had been unwontedly neglected for no real good reason and so some of us can actually get buried so deep in these repair problems that it isn't even funny! Even now a days with the newer vehicles, the same kinds of things are happening all over again! Problem one: people can pay crazy money for a new or newer vehicle and just drive them till they drop without any kind of considerations of just having the maintenance on schedule and the next poor person should come around that buys it, ends up just getting stung like it's going out of style! Some of these owners just don't give a rat's @$$, period!!! Things are starting to get to the point of not wanting a new OR a used vehicle period!! They are ENDLESS money pits! I've only bought one new vehicle, (1984 Jeep Cherokee) and it was rather painful because it was riddled with problems and from that point on, told myself....no more new vehicles PERIOD!!! I've driver beaters most of my entire 51 years and I am very close to saying no more beaters either!! Since I don't have a rock solid retirement, I've just about had enough!!!

[@DEInTheGarage]

I hear ha bud! Bring back the true cheap beaters!

[@jaysmith5084]

My 4.7 ran perfectly 👌

[@Drtbiker88]

I would yank that 4.7 and throw in a good old 4.0L, because why not😀

[@preppinglife624]

I would of stopped where you did probably.

[@geostanley409]

That jeep is supposed to be filled with yellow H.O.A.T. Coolant. Not orange or pink. Prestone makes a green coolant that is H.O.A.T. Compliant. Which is more than likely what that one has.

[@donsurlylyte]

hydraulic cooling fan? really.

[@zarkeh3013]

In Place Piston swap! and inspect connecting rod and crank of course ...

[@Mikey-wf9py]

Buddy has 4.7 Dakota with 310k

[@James3478-r4n]

No reason to neglect a vehicle this bad. Probably overheated it and dropped the valve seat. Look at the leaky/crusty rad cap.

[@merrittmcdowell8675]

4.0 forever!!!

[@kevinclevenger8741]

Pull it out in put a 5.7 hemi in it .

[@Codethe_Road]

These are fun;

[@aefgshwrthwrhnwrhnbw]

"I bought a mechanic special"... OF COURSE it's a 4.7

[@czgunner]

4.7's are such junk it's almost amusing. We couldn't find used engines years ago. Customers would bring their junk in and all we could sell them would be remans.

[@ChrisParker-fs3zx]

Swap a 4.0 inline engine

[@mrsfgogo09]

First off I’ve been in a junkyard and on rock auto but that’s just me second I get $1.50 for it😂 jk jk

[@DEInTheGarage]

Haha. I hear you bud. That or an HO swap.

[@hayzersolar]

send it to the yard and get some money out of it.