Replacing Head Gaskets 02' 4.7ltr

[taylorjshoemark]

Has anyone ever replaced their own head gaskets with the engine in car on an 02 WJ 4.7ltr?

There is not alot of room in there at all so how did you deal with such things as the extremely large wiring looms, air/con condenser and can the heads be removed with the exhaust manifolds on?

[Hanna]

Here you go mate:

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104762

It's not a job for the impatient or faint-hearted, but it is definitely doable. The more time you have to do it the better, because there's a fair bit involved and it can get frustrating. A couple of other guys on here have done it that I know of as well, including mikey123, V8val and Jeepnut, so they may be able to help.

Mine has been running faultlessly now for the 25,000km since the rebuild including round trips from Geelong to Fraser Island and Geelong to the Blue Mountains over the past 7 weeks, so I must have done something right!

Let me know if you need any advice. Good luck!!

Cheers,
Hanna

[taylorjshoemark]

Thanks Hanna,

I kind of figured it was going to be a tough job before i started just by looking in the engine bay, I've done a few heads before but nothing as tight and cramped as this.

We do have a second car so time is definitely not an issue but the longer it is off the road the less "real" camping we get to do.

I got down to the stage of taking all the covers off today and just thought I'd jump on here and get a bit more of an insight or maybe more so reassurance. So i guess it'll be an early start tomorrow to remove all the covers, rip off the heads and see what sort of trouble I'm really in. Ideally it'd be great to end up with a faultless build like yours so fingers crossed.

Be a reeeaaal shame if i had to go buy a brand new 4.7 to drop in , It'd be nice to see this motor live out a few more years but them shiny new motors I've been looking at would look great in the engine bay.

I've also been taking a shit load of photos as I know folks are always asking/looking for pics so they may be of some help to somebody.

Thanks,

Taylor