Marilynne's Wetlands and Other Stuff - 2022
- Thread starter Marilynne
- Start date
Bikerbrent_RIP
Senior Member
It really looks like both of them were thinking about a fight!
How unfortunate, a poor running vehicle is never fun and the news you need a new engine worse. Did thy give you the reason for the low compression? There are multiple reasons for low compression, some more serious and costly than others but not necessarily requiring a new engine. A second opinion from a trusted independent shop might be in order.
My mechanic at Firestone said he was running some tests and said, oh look at that, low compression in cylinders 2 and 3. That's it. Well, the guy that is going to give me the second opinion is WPB. He also will replace the engine if it needs it. Chris is running some tests before we bring it up there. The Jeep does have 242,000+ miles on it.
The tow truck driver offered me a trade for a Miata.
My days driving close to the ground are over - had a 1972 240Z, then a 1985 Fiero. Funny, you never see them on the road anymore.
Clovishound
Senior Member
And the Toyotas and Hondas go on and on. If it's something like a valve issue, then repairs MIGHT be worth it. At 242K on a Chrysler engine, I would be leery of spending a lot on an engine with a high mileage bottom end. Looks like a 4 banger, so maybe a new engine might be worth it. Used cars are crazy high prices right now. A lot depends on the overall condition of the vehicle. Sometimes it's better to walk away and move on something newer with less miles. Sometimes it better to put some money in what you have.
Jeeps are not known for being low maintenance, but sometimes better the devil you know.
I would definitely not trust what the guy from the Firestone place told you. If he left a plug wire off and it had to be towed because of that, I wouldn't trust him any further than I could throw the Jeep. I've seen an awful lot of anywhere from incompetent to downright unscrupulous diagnosis given by mechanics over the years. Low compression readings can be anything from valves, to head gasket, to valve train, to rings, to engine timing. A good mechanic can pinpoint exactly where the problem is, rather than throw parts at it.
The bad news is that you could buy some really nice camera equipment for what it will cost to do a head job, much less an engine replacement on your vehicle.
Best of luck.
It's been a great Jeep. I'm the original owner and got it with 4 miles on it. Low maintenance except for the catalytic converter, had that replaced 5 times. Had the original clutch replaced at 201K+. Had the second clutch last year.
The body is in great shape. It's amazing how many people ask me if it's for sale.
My neighbor is looking for a used Jeep and he said they can't be found anywhere for a reasonable price. If it's less than $5000, he told me they're a bucket of rust.
My husband is checking out some things. He used to race cars, so he knows his way around an engine. We spent every weekend at the track for about two years. Trophy runs, he'd win, money runs, something always broke.
I really don't care for the new Jeeps and I'm not looking to make car payments, so if it needs a new engine, that's what it's getting.
Clovishound
Senior Member
A manual transmission and no major issues greatly tilts things toward fixing the engine problem IMO. Auto transmissions don't last as long, and are horribly expensive to replace.
Wow, 5 cats. Never heard of having to replace them that many times.
I'm with you on car payments. I've always bought beater cars for myself, and lower mileage/years used cars for the family. I drive mine til the wheels fall off, then duct tape them back on and run them a little more.
Hope you are back on the road soon. Car issues are a real pain.
Wow, 5 cats. Never heard of having to replace them that many times.
I'm with you on car payments. I've always bought beater cars for myself, and lower mileage/years used cars for the family. I drive mine til the wheels fall off, then duct tape them back on and run them a little more.
Hope you are back on the road soon. Car issues are a real pain.
Peter7100
Senior Member
