2002 KJ Valve Springs - Advice

[tminihan]

I purchased my Liberty (Cherokee in AUS) last November with 130k miles, 3.7L petrol. Last month I broke a valve spring. A quick google search indicated that this was a common problem on the 3.7L. I've replace the spring with the head on the car and everything works well now.

My dilemma is deciding whether or not to replace all springs or trust the car as-is. When replacing the one broken spring, it was clear to me that I would need to remove the heads to replace the remaining springs. If I remove the heads, I might as well do the seats too. The kicker is that I live in a remote part of Australia and no one in town works on heads. I'd have to mail my heads to Adelaide for reconditioning (and seats). I've been quoted from multiple shops at $900 per head.

Any advice is appreciated.

At the recon price I may look for reconditioned heads as well. Anyone know of shops in the States that will sell a good set of heads for this Jeep?

Thanks, Tom

 

[tminihan]

Repair or Replace

After reading a few valve spring threads after my original post, it may come down to $1800 to recon my heads plus hg's and bolts or buy another set. Does anyone have recommendations for new or reconditioned heads? I can ship mine as cores via APO.

Also, if I go the route of replacing all springs on my heads, how do I ensure I get a better spring?

Thanks, Tom

 

[dakar650]

Okay I have 214000km's on my 2002 Cherokee and recently redid both heads due to stupidity (I cooked it), yes I have read about valve springs but honestly no dramas with mine so far (hope it stays that way!!). Both heads cost $1100 that was for new valves and seats and grind through Hoppers Heads (hoppersheads.com.au) in Melbourne.

Haven't noticed any reconditioned heads in Aus for the 3.7 but didn't look to hard.
My opinion would be not to muck around with your heads unless you have heated your motor or head gasket has issues. Do you a copy of the FSM?

Cheers

 

[CactusJacked]

No, you don't need to remove the heads to replace the valve springs. Crummy camera angle, but you get the idea.... new spring tool video.chrysler/jeep 3.7v6 4.7v8 easy spring/seal/rocker arm replacement - YouTube

 

[tminihan]

Thanks dakar650 I will contact hopperheads for a quote. I focused on companies in Adelaide. I have not heated my motor but I purchased with 200,000kms. Other than the broken spring I haven't had any issues. I do not have the FSM. Thanks, Tom

 

[tminihan]

Thanks for the video link CactusJacked. My spring broke on #4 intake and I had a tough time re-installing the retainers. I do have a spring tool similar to the one in the video. It didn't appear feasible to replace the springs on 5 and 6 given the retainer problems I had on 4 and the proximity to the firewall with the engine in the car. I was using compressed air and quite nervous as I couldn't get rope down the long spark plug hole. I guess you do raise a good point, should I pull the motor rather than pull the heads?