I bought a lemon KJ - advice please

[layback40]

Air filter, is that the whole thing or an element?
I purchased an element for $12 the other day

[bjm]

Take the vehicle to another mechanic,preferably one who know Jeeps.As others have said many prices quoted seem inflated.Any vehicle that age will most likely need work,unless very well looked after.Use the net and forums to source parts and prices.

[Billwill]

Is this a Gasser or a CRD?

CRD you definitely need to know its history as the timing belt needs changing after about 100,000 kms to be on the safe side and within 7 years age max.

Failure to do this leads to very expensive damage.

You can use OEM filters etc. but definitely the ant-freeze fluid mixed in with the clean radiator water must be HOAT which is red in color...mixing non-HOAT anti-freeze with HOAT turns the mixture into porridge! Members here will advise you on which fluids to use.

The CRD only use Synthetic oil...once again members here will advise you on the correct Brands to use.

You can download the Jeep KJ Service Manual from the link in the very first Sticky above..2004 KJ Service Manuals are not listed but 2003 will be close enough!

You need to do most of the work yourself following the advice of Members here and if you use a Mechanic then he must know the KJs...especially if it is a CRD!

[Linc]

Thanks for the advice. I priced out everything from Australian parts suppliers and also went to a mechanic my father has used for a long time who also agreed that the prices were high. And also question the items required for the road worthy.
He did tell me that my pricing was lower than he could get parts for because he had to use gaurenteed parts, although oem, they were higher and he face value looked up the pricing just for the parts and showed me how much each would cost. Based on that he questioned their labour costs at the other place. They must charge $150-200 P/h for labour.
So, long story short, he is going to redo the RWC on Monday and try give me a more accurate discription of real problems and better pricing.

[Linc]

Also it is a petrol model.

[Linc]

I'm going to try do the bare minimum with the mechanic for the RWC and the do anything else I want myself.

Like the transfer case switch, pretty sure I have that problem after reading up on things.