Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Gavinskimc on May 15, 2022, 07:04:49 PM

Title: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: Gavinskimc on May 15, 2022, 07:04:49 PM
Hi, sorry if this is a dumb question, but recently my Cherokee 2.5TD xj started leaking coolant from the rear of the engine, as far as I could tell it was at the back and near the cylinder heads, so I took them off but can't see any cracks or damage to the gasket.there is white residue under the head gasket, would anyone have any ideas what's causing the leak?
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: Gavinskimc on May 16, 2022, 05:12:05 PM
Here's some images if this helps diagnose the issue.....
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: frosty 1 on May 17, 2022, 01:40:49 PM
is there a core plug in the head near to that point
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: Gavinskimc on May 23, 2022, 10:19:08 AM
There's a core plug on the end of that cylinder, close enough to that, is there a way of testing the core plug with the heads out?
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: frosty 1 on May 24, 2022, 06:27:03 AM
There's a core plug on the end of that cylinder, close enough to that, is there a way of testing the core plug with the heads out?
it is easier just to remove and replace it, when you get the old one out, you will be able to see if it was leaking, they are a known problem.
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: Gavinskimc on May 25, 2022, 03:48:41 PM
Hi Frosty i cleaned up the cylinder heads and noticed a few scratches on the surface of the head where i think the leak was coming from. i've attached a few pics, could these be big enough to cause the leak?
Title: Re: White residue under the head gasket Cherokee 2.5 td xj
Post by: frosty 1 on May 27, 2022, 06:17:22 AM
are you sure they are scratches and not cracks, if in doubt, i would exchange that head for another, the "VM specialist " ( 01246 455350) will sell you a exchange overhauled head at a reasonable price, they rebuilt an engine for me for my second 2.5TD XJ at a very reasonable price, i learned that if you have a 2.5TD XJ, and you want to keep it, start by getting the engine overhauled by them, then you will have no further problems for years to come.