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[brk]

Has anyone replaced a head gasket on the vm thats in the xj diesel cherokee? If so is it really necessary to replace all the head bolts?they seem expensive($35each)  I seem to be having a little trouble finding any advice on these in New Zealand as jeep very few of this model here, So any advice is very much appreciated.

[Mike Pavelin]

The bolts are designed to stretch when correctly tightened, so reusing isn't a good idea. It's not a nice job and you don't want to have to do it twice. Also bear in mind there are three different thicknesses of head gasket, you need to fit the same as the one that comes off. Earlier versions have four individual head gaskets, later ones have a single steel gasket. If you suspect you have a blown head gasket due to coolant loss, be aware that it is very common for one or more of the cylinder heads to crack giving head gasket like symptoms, especially on the early diesels. These are identified by the glow plugs situated on the side of the heads rether than the top.

[brk]

I think I have the later one as it appears there is only one gasket,are the cracks usually quite visable,I should probably have them tested.The engine is pressuring the cooling system within 30  seconds from cold start,when I fill the header tank up it bubbles away continuously,so I presume it is either the head gasket or cracked head.Do you have any parts suppliers for these engines other than genuine chrysler parts?thanks for your help

[Mike Pavelin]

I would reccomend you get them them tested. When you remove them you may see evidence of water around the valves but best to get them professionally pressure tested. The VM is a generic engine used in some Range Rovers, Rovers and various other vehicles and also has marine and industrial applications so you should be able to source parts in NZ. If not there are specialists in the UK that can help. If you have one or more cracked heads I would reccomend replacing all four of them.

[Bubba]

o dear you have a problem        not recomending this but i know a few places in the trade who grind a few mill off the bottom of these kind of stretch bolts and reuse them and bill for new so if you are doing it yourself it may be a way to save a few  quid ...but as i said i am not saying you should just making you aware

[Manda]

Just out of curiosity and completely unrelated to this post, where are you from? How did you find Birty's?

[brk]

From auckland New Zealand,Found birtys through surfing the net looking for a bit of advice on my recently purchased jeep.So far some very helpful advice has been given.

[Manda]

[MK1]

The VM is known to play up if not correctly maintained.

The oil and filter must be changed as specified and coolant must be checked/changed. You can get the head gaskets as one unit or seperate.

If you intend keeping the Jeep it really is false economy not to have the heads skimmed and pressure tested, and not to use new stretch bolts.