Serious question!!

You can be good looking? Is that anything like "He cleans up well..."?

 

It's the 5.2. He didn't have the valve covers off or anything torn down when I was there, but I did see the timing chain was shot, and the gear was in 3 pieces.

He's getting into the motor today to see just how bad it is. Yeah, I've never done any major engine work like this, so most all of this stuff is over my head. I do know that it IS an interference engine though, so if the chain jumped, it won't be pretty.

 

I should've known you'd chime in on that one. I think that is exactly what it means. It's especially true when I'm in a dark room.

 

According to a dodge forum the 5.2 is a NON-interference motor...

Call your local dealer and ask...

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114340

"As far as a timing chain breaking and causing the valves to get smashed, I have been advised by a mechanic and other friends that the 5.2 and 5.9 are NON-interference engines.....Someone please correct me if I am wrong."

If this is the case the shop you took it to is full of shit....

 

ask them if they know what diversity is...
that'll tell u if its a good shop or not.


A: an old wooden ship used in the civil war era.



Reguardless, im getting ANY motorwork on this car is gonna put u over the 2500 dollar range... my vote is junk it.

 

That engine is definitely interference. Has those funky plastic timing gears, too, not a great combo.

 

Pack, thanks for the heads up. I just spoke to the shop owner directly, and he says it is an interference engine, and the valves look pretty bad. He opened it up this morning. So I must be mis-informed on the engine size. It must be the older 4.7.

His quotes this morning were pretty over the top. He said $3300 for a rebuilt, 70K mile engine OTD, or $4200 for a brand-new engine. I'm now searching for a Jeep specific repair shop that can give her a "better" figure. I think at this point the guy is throwing high numbers out there because he doesn't want to mess with it?

 

Could be

Those numbers are way out of line. Although Monte has a good point when he says that once you get in there, other things can pop up, you should be able to get a good rebuilt engine for $2000 or so. Not having installed one, I understand install is **relatively** easy. Let's say you got $600 for that.

Sounds like the shop owner is either trying to milk you good, or actually doesn't want to mess with it.

At the end of the day, I agree with smokes35....too much money for a car that is going to continue to have things go wrong with it and be a money pit. Have your mom buy a good, clean, late model Jeep from a reputable source if she doesn't want to buy new.

 

a lot of car dealerships run "specials" where they will give at least $3000 minimum for a trade in no matter if you push, pull, drag it in.. if she can afford it.. i would say trade the jeep in and get something cheaper to maintain and operate. Especially if she is on the road a lot.

 

Here info from the Jasper site.

CANTON AUTO

233 UNIVETER COURT
CANTON, GA 30115
770-345-7237
Approximately 5.3 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


MASON COX AUTOMOTIVE

4733 CANTON HWY
MARIETTA, GA 30066
770-928-3474
Approximately 11 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


TRIBBLES AUTOMOTIVE

4362 WINFRED DR
MARIETTA, GA 30066
770-926-5883
Approximately 11.2 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


GERALDS AUTO SERVICE

1360 ATLANTA HWY
CUMMING, GA 30040
770-886-0904
Approximately 14.1 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


ALPHA NORTH AUTO & TRUCK S
5260 ATLANTA HIGHWAY
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004
770-475-0107
Approximately 9.3 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


CASTLEBERRY GAR & TOWING
5945 HWY 9 NORTH
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004
770-475-3425
Approximately 9.9 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


AERO AUTO & TRK REPAIR =
4725 CANTON RD
MARIETTA, GA 30066
770-926-9050
Approximately 10.9 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


AMERICAS SERVICE STATION
5222 BLUE ASTER CT
POWDER SPRINGS, GA 30127
770-529-9993
Approximately 11.8 Miles From 30115
Get Directions


GOODYEAR EH SELLARS INC
1000 JOHNSON FERRY RD
SUITE B-115- ATTN: DIANE
MARIETTA, GA 30068
770-509-1422
Approximately 11.9 Miles From 30115
Get Directions

 

Thanks TA. I forgot about this one, it's literally just down the street from me. Well, she called a Jeep place in Marietta, and they came back slightly higher than Ellis. I'm leaning toward having her scrap it, and buy something else. Her friend had just offered to sell her that Navigator last week (crazy coincidence) for about 30% below KBB value. It's been well maintaned, and only has 55,000 miles (for a 2000, not bad), so I'm hoping that she starts seriously thinking about that one. The hard part will be getting her home.

Say, anybody that's over at cycle Jam, are any of you heading up toward Louisville, or hell, even Nashville???

 

Have you considered going to the junkyard and getting one out of a totalled jeep?

I've done this for a transfer case and a rear end on my grand cherokee and saved a ton of money.

I think I payed around 550 for my transfer case and around 600 for my rear end. Did the installs myself, came out way ahead.

 

Yeah, unfortunately I don't have the time to drop what I'm doing at the moment to do it, nor do I have the tools and capabilities at my house. And unfortunately she can't be without a car for longer than a few days.

I am thinking I'm going to use this as an opportunity to really try and talk her into buying her friend's newer car.

 

Yeah but you guys are missing the point, the vehicle is for his mom.

 

go to car-part.com and search for a used motor. lots of small shops do engine swaps pretty resonably.