Hi guys,
I was after something I could insure as a classic for when my trade insurance ran out. Long story short, I came to a deal with a fellow Retro Rider and I drove away with this.
It a bit round around the edges, but I wasn't too fussed with that as it's bound to get dinked and scraped along the lines. It's a 1993 Jeep Cherokee with the 4 litre high output engine. I had one a few years ago (also brought off Retro Rides) and loved it, but the fuel bill was crippling me. My plan is to get LPG for it in the future if I can find a cheap kit, but for the time being I'll put up with driving like a nun.
Only problems are a cooling issue (see below) and the key getting stuck in the ignition barrel every-so-often.
I brought all the bits for a service and started on the air filter first. Only managed that though as the heavens opened. I'd read on the Cherokee forums that the airbox doesn't really supply enough air into the box and that it soaks up so much heat from the engine it doesn't allow the engine to breath property, so I thought I'd address these at the same time.
Took the old air filter off and was greated with this:
*bleugh!*
Going to be making an oil catch can/filter for that then!
Gave the airbox a good clean out as it was full of curse word.
That is the opening for air to come in, so I took a hacksaw to it and opened it up about 50%.
Covered it in aluminium tape and put it all back together. Aparently it stops a fair amount of heat. For a few quid a roll I though I'd give it a go.
I forgot to photograph it while it was off the Jeep, but here is the opening now.
Need to get a small meshed screen for it.
I mentioned above about a cooling issue. The radiator is dumping all of the water from into the overflow bottle which is then curse word the lot out onto the road. Doesn't do it every time, but more often than not. The previous owner did make mention of the system presureising, so had been meaning to get a new cap to test, as the caps are a weak point. My brother phoned me last night needing rescuing as his 5 series took a dislike to having transmission fluid and dumped it all over the A38. On my way over to him the tempreture was creaping up and up and up till finally it was nearly at the 125°c limit. Let it cool while we tied his car on and topped up the radiator and we set off... only to pull over about two miles later with the guage on 125°c again and all the coolant over the floor
Let it cool a bit, opened the radiator cap, ducked from the steam and waited for it to cool again. Used up all the water and limped us both back to his. Ended up putting 10 litres of water back into the radiator but the expansion bottle was full. I ordered a new cap, thermostat and gasket from the local American car specialist so will be collecting tomorrow on my travels and fitting ASAP. Me and Mrs MiniDan used the Jeep today on a few occasions and it didn't go any higher than 100°c (middle of the guage). Kept an eye on the water and its just pushed a load out of the expansion tank, but the raditaor is full.
To end on a positive note, here's a picture I took at the park the other day
I was after something I could insure as a classic for when my trade insurance ran out. Long story short, I came to a deal with a fellow Retro Rider and I drove away with this.
It a bit round around the edges, but I wasn't too fussed with that as it's bound to get dinked and scraped along the lines. It's a 1993 Jeep Cherokee with the 4 litre high output engine. I had one a few years ago (also brought off Retro Rides) and loved it, but the fuel bill was crippling me. My plan is to get LPG for it in the future if I can find a cheap kit, but for the time being I'll put up with driving like a nun.
Only problems are a cooling issue (see below) and the key getting stuck in the ignition barrel every-so-often.
I brought all the bits for a service and started on the air filter first. Only managed that though as the heavens opened. I'd read on the Cherokee forums that the airbox doesn't really supply enough air into the box and that it soaks up so much heat from the engine it doesn't allow the engine to breath property, so I thought I'd address these at the same time.
Took the old air filter off and was greated with this:
*bleugh!*
Going to be making an oil catch can/filter for that then!
Gave the airbox a good clean out as it was full of curse word.
That is the opening for air to come in, so I took a hacksaw to it and opened it up about 50%.
Covered it in aluminium tape and put it all back together. Aparently it stops a fair amount of heat. For a few quid a roll I though I'd give it a go.
I forgot to photograph it while it was off the Jeep, but here is the opening now.
Need to get a small meshed screen for it.
I mentioned above about a cooling issue. The radiator is dumping all of the water from into the overflow bottle which is then curse word the lot out onto the road. Doesn't do it every time, but more often than not. The previous owner did make mention of the system presureising, so had been meaning to get a new cap to test, as the caps are a weak point. My brother phoned me last night needing rescuing as his 5 series took a dislike to having transmission fluid and dumped it all over the A38. On my way over to him the tempreture was creaping up and up and up till finally it was nearly at the 125°c limit. Let it cool while we tied his car on and topped up the radiator and we set off... only to pull over about two miles later with the guage on 125°c again and all the coolant over the floor
Let it cool a bit, opened the radiator cap, ducked from the steam and waited for it to cool again. Used up all the water and limped us both back to his. Ended up putting 10 litres of water back into the radiator but the expansion bottle was full. I ordered a new cap, thermostat and gasket from the local American car specialist so will be collecting tomorrow on my travels and fitting ASAP. Me and Mrs MiniDan used the Jeep today on a few occasions and it didn't go any higher than 100°c (middle of the guage). Kept an eye on the water and its just pushed a load out of the expansion tank, but the raditaor is full.
To end on a positive note, here's a picture I took at the park the other day
