Cracked cylinder head

[Teebrown]

Hi
My Jeep 2007 Liberty was run low on oil and cracked cylinder head.
Is it fixable or should I replace the motor?

 

[KJowner]

Low oil isn't usually responsible for a cracked cylinder head, low coolant could certainly do it though.
How low on oil was it? Loss of oil pressure can totally destroy an engine, however if it was just low on the stick and it doesn't make nasty noises or blow clouds of smoke you may have got away with it.

 

[Teebrown]

Low oil isn't usually responsible for a cracked cylinder head, low coolant could certainly do it though.
How low on oil was it? Loss of oil pressure can totally destroy an engine, however if it was just low on the stick and it doesn't make nasty noises or blow clouds of smoke you may have got away with it.

Thank you for your reply. I had it towed to the mechanic and he said they could fix it for another 2,000 but he wouldn’t guarantee that the bottom end wouldn’t mess up.

 

[KJowner]

What happened to it? Did it run out of oil and stop? Have you drained the remaining oil to see what it looks like?

 

[NoraNash]

Hey Teebrown, that's a tough one. Usually, a cracked cylinder head from low oil means serious damage. It's often cheaper and more reliable to replace the entire engine (motor) than to try and fix a severely cracked head, especially considering potential hidden damage. Get quotes for both, but expect a full swap to be recommended.

 

[Teebrown]

What happened to it? Did it run out of oil and stop? Have you drained the remaining oil to see what it looks like?

My daughter ran it out of oil. She drove it until it was making noises and all the warning lights came on. She did not put oil in the Jeep. The mechanic said he use a magnifier tool and looked inside the cylinder head and it was pieces in there. He said no oil was in it. I wanted to know should I replace the parts or replace the motor. It had 379,000 miles on it.

 

[Teebrown]

Hey Teebrown, that's a tough one. Usually, a cracked cylinder head from low oil means serious damage. It's often cheaper and more reliable to replace the entire engine (motor) than to try and fix a severely cracked head, especially considering potential hidden damage. Get quotes for both, but expect a full swap to be recommended.

Thank you
I love my Jeep. I thought maybe it could be fixed but I needs some advice to help me make the decision.

 

[KJowner]

I would say that engine is totally shot, it will have wiped the crank if its lost enough oil to have done that to the top end. Find a scrapyard engine and start again or if you want a fresh engine the guys on here really rate Jasper.

 

[Teebrown]

I would say that engine is totally shot, it will have wiped the crank if its lost enough oil to have done that to the top end. Find a scrapyard engine and start again or if you want a fresh engine the guys on here really rate Jasper.

Thanks for all your help. I will find the scrapyard.

 

[Michael Frost]

Hi
My Jeep 2007 Liberty was run low on oil and cracked cylinder head.
Is it fixable or should I replace the motor?

Hi, I just saw this post in the weekly email. I did a 2010 3.7L Liberty cylinder head replacement with a refurbished one from ebay. I am not a "real" mechanic but I did do it and the Jeep is back on the road with no issues. It took me way too long to do it even though I did it without taking the timing chain cover off, it's not easy. I would not wish this job on anyone. When it was all said and done I had about $1,000 in parts and the time I spend was insane. I was chasing down a cylinder miss on all cylinders I think the code is 0300 and it turned out I needed an OEM cam sensor and it was perfect after that. This Jeep engine locked up and a valve break clear though the valve cover so it was obvious devistation. We have had a couple other 3.7L engines seem to be shot and it was only a rocker that had popped off, that seems common in all 3.7's.