I'm looking to buy another liberty and found an 02 with 120,000 miles on it. The motor had a top end rebuild at 100,00 miles. i'm wondering how reliable this is gonna be. Is there any other common problems that could happen other then the top end?
2002 motor question
- Thread starter Joe200man
- Start date
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tommudd
Moderator
A lot depends on how well it was taken care of
why did it need a top end ?
any maintenance records to look over?
Like any used vehicle check it over as good as possible
why did it need a top end ?
any maintenance records to look over?
Like any used vehicle check it over as good as possible
TheBlueKJ
Full Access Member
In all honesty I would go with the Renny since it hasn't needed a rebuild on the engine. (atleast you didn't specify if it did)
TwoBobsKJ
Full Access Member
I'd go with the Renegade. The guy said the engine on the '02 had the top end rebuilt - but it threw a rod. The rod is on the BOTTOM of the engine so sumphin' ain't right...
Of course, if the '03 Renegade is black then it's a no-brainer :smokin:
Bob
Went ahead and bought the Renegade. Couple of questions...
parking brake, How to i go about adjusting this, and is there separate pads for the parking brake? It's a 5-speed otherwise i wouldn't be to concerned about it.
valve cover, i didn't notice till i got it home but the corner bolt on the drivers side valve cover is gone. it hasn't been gone long cause the threads are still clean and u can still see the ring around the cover.
Should i just take out one of the other bolts and take it to a hardware store and see if they can find one close or where can i order an oem one? Also there is a gap between the valve cover where the bolt is messing thats at least a quarter inch if not bigger....any thoughts?? I'd think it should still sit somewhat flat even with the bolt missing.
parking brake, How to i go about adjusting this, and is there separate pads for the parking brake? It's a 5-speed otherwise i wouldn't be to concerned about it.
valve cover, i didn't notice till i got it home but the corner bolt on the drivers side valve cover is gone. it hasn't been gone long cause the threads are still clean and u can still see the ring around the cover.
Should i just take out one of the other bolts and take it to a hardware store and see if they can find one close or where can i order an oem one? Also there is a gap between the valve cover where the bolt is messing thats at least a quarter inch if not bigger....any thoughts?? I'd think it should still sit somewhat flat even with the bolt missing.
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TwoBobsKJ
Full Access Member
Nice KJ! Looks lifted - did the previous owner do a spring lift or are there spacers in the springs? (Hope it's a spring lift - for your sake :manos
Those valve cover bolts are used on all 3.7 Chrysler engines so you should have no trouble finding a replacement either from the dealer or a junkyard. If you can't get ahold of one PM me - I have a bag of them in my garage. Strange it would be gone though...
The gap you're seeing under the valve cover is normal. There are actually spacers in the bolt holes in the gaskets that prevent the bolts from compressing the gaskets too far - the 1/4" gap is about right,
Let us know about the lift - you have a great looking Jeep. 'Course, I'm biased! :favorites13:
Bob
yea it's a stupid spacer lift lol. There are no spacers in the rear though which i thought was strange. I was planning on buying either an ironman or an ome lift anyway before i even found this jeep, so it won't be on there for too long lol.
And the valve cover gasket doesn't look to old, so i don't know if they installed a new one and forgot to tighten the bolt or just didn't tighten it enough. Oddly it's not leaking at all though
And the valve cover gasket doesn't look to old, so i don't know if they installed a new one and forgot to tighten the bolt or just didn't tighten it enough. Oddly it's not leaking at all though
TwoBobsKJ
Full Access Member
Yea, do the full spring suspension lift and save your kidneys from that spacer lift.
If the missing bolt was on the lower part of the valve cover against the firewall you'd know it was leaking. It would drip on the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold and give you lovely aroma in the Jeep's cabin. Happens frequently...
Bob
