Daughters WG 4.7 eating coolant.

[tony66au]

One of my Kids decided that it was time to move from a softroader to a 4x4 and wanted something rugged but capable and after scaring me by looking at Prado and landcruisers, yes even Hiluxes, Pajeros etc I suggested a Grand Cherokee and after looking at the 1999 to 2010 offerings made a solid IMO choice with an older WG 4.7.
We live in Gippsland, She does a lot of miles sometimes for work and likes camping and fishing but the seats and layout of the WG grabbed her hard.

I didnt get a chance to check this thing out and as a Melbourne dealer car one trip was all she could make so when the car was RWC'd the car was delivered.

Off the truck it had a low coolant light, I added a lt of green coolant, noted the new rad cap and took it to BP for a drink after dropping my kid off at school, chucked the battery on a 6 stage charge just in case (Coz Caryard) and then drove it back to the BP to check and remedy the tyre pressures which were a bit wonky and later that arvo after checking all fluids Oldest Daughter came and took possession of the thing....

2 weeks later is has issues but still drives nice.

it drinks about a litre of coolant every few hundred kays
Drivers seat bum warmer has quit working
Cruise control doesnt work
It has a creaky groany HVAC flap as the Vac leaks down after the thing is shut off.....

So I just got the Jeep back this arvo and im going to start looking for issues and fitting some goodies I got from Rockauto (I buy a lot of stuff from them) mainly cosmetic like Wiper blades, Coolant bottle cap, New Non locking fuel cap, Brand new rear wiper arm coz the park plastic arm is broken.

I currently have it siting on a coreflute sheet to check for coolant leaks, I havent ordered plugs, filters yet but are Head gaskets an issue? If so which side? and Who's a Good Jeep workshop in Gippsland between Leongatha and Traralgon.

Any suggestions welcome.

[tony66au]

A few more details.....

234k
Was a country car (Albury then Frankston)
Has towed a Van before
Uses more fuel than my plaything Range Rover carby classic, 15.3 per 100 95 octane Non ethanol fuel.
Has a slight front diff noise under load.
Immaculate interior.

Tony

[Classic Boy]

That is getting highish km’s. The head gaskets are not problematic but like most engines they can fail. I would try a product called Silvo-seal it will cure most gasket seepage. Check the brake light bulbs and switch for the cruise control fault.
The front diffs on WG’s are notorious for pinion bearing failures. The Dana 30 is a little lite for full time 4wd.
The fuel consumption is about rite for general driving duties will improve on the hwy, they do weigh about 2 tones.

[tony66au]

Originally Posted by Classic Boy

That is getting highish km’s. The head gaskets are not problematic but like most engines they can fail. I would try a product called Silvo-seal it will cure most gasket seepage. Check the brake light bulbs and switch for the cruise control fault.
The front diffs on WG’s are notorious for pinion bearing failures. The Dana 30 is a little lite for full time 4wd.
The fuel consumption is about rite for general driving duties will improve on the hwy, they do weigh about 2 tones.

Id hope they (Brake lights) were good considering the thing just had a Roady done but Yup I'll check.
The CC lights up on the Dash fine, just no engagement but I'll double check.

I should check and replace fluids on the Diffs anyway and check for stripper glitter in the oil.

That mileage IS Hwy Miles lol, Im in Gippsland so its all 100 or 80 Kph..
Might just order plugs and filters and give it a Birthday and see if I can drop it a bit, My Carby Rangie uses less than that lol

Appreciate the advice.

[tony66au]

Oh yeah, YUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Its a leak not a weeping head gasket.

The old Coreflute drip tray tell tale trick!

The pic just shows the passenger side drips but theres 3 or 4 in a line left to right so im assuming its radiator related which I suspect will be a bugger of a job looking at where its situated......

[tony66au]

Next question is are the headlights the same units as in the US models, I found that often Parabolic style headlamp units are not "Handed" IE Right hand drive same as left hand drive.

I can get complete units from Rockauto for around $100 each but wondering if anyone has had experience with this before I pull the trigger and add them to the next order.

Need to replace a tail light as well as the drivers side unit is cracked and the girl is a bit ******** about this sort of thing.

[Classic Boy]

LHD headlights are focused for the RH travel side of the road as RHD LIGHTS are similar focused for the travel lanes on the LH side