89 4.0 Question

[makmadison]

I have a chnace to get a nice 89 XJ. I have no personal experience with the 4.0. I've done a forum search, and know the 4.0 is overall a solid engine. This 4.0 has 170k on it.

What should I look for on an 89 4.0? What wears out on these? The guy put on a new timing chain and gears, oil pan and gasket, thermostat. It has the 91+ radiator, newer hoses, relatively clean engine. He said there is a lazy lifter.

I'm going out to test drive it this weekend.

TIA

[Pioneer84]

Keep an eye on the water pump they tend to go bad at 200k.

[HogWash]

Theyve all got lazy lifters....Its nothing to brag about:passgas:

[jfiscus]

look for rust underneath the floorpans

[dizzymac]

The 4.0 is a workhorse, hooked to an AW4 and a 231 or 242 TC and you've got a great powertrain.
As Fiscus noted, my MAIN concern would be rusty floor pans.If you get water between the carpet and pan you will have a prob. The carpet has sheet plastic on the back and what equates to be "diapers", they hold a ton of water for long periods of time.
Remove some of your plastic trim around the floor area and peel back the carpet to check for rust and rot. If you find any cut it out ,go bigger that you have to, prep any metal you replace with a rust killer/preventative and any rust you find also. When you think you have it all coated and ready to go....do it again. You don't want to spend all your time chasing rust.
I prefer Zero Rust but you can get the product of your choice.
These are great vehicles, its just to bad that so many of the went to the bone yard due to rust.

[Oizarod115]

watch out for manual transmissions, 89s either have BA10s or AX15s the AX is a good tranny but the BA is nicknamed the pukegoat after puegoet who made them.

rear main oil seals tend to leak after a while on 4.0s but can be replaced fairly easier

overall it shuold be good though my 89 has 180k on it (even with the stock BA10) and it runs great.

CHECK FOR RUST

[dizzymac]

Speaking of rear main seal. If you have a lot of oil in the area of the rear main, don't automatically think it is gone. These are know for valve covers leaking and the oil running down the back of the eng. and mimicing a rear main seal leak.

[old_man]

Double check for oil in the air filter box caused by blow by.