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Otter74 Otter74 is online now
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 3,193
What should I check over on a cheap XJ Cherokee?

This isn't quite a what-to-look-for-when-shopping question, as the car has already been purchased. A friend of mine wanted to get a cheap car for occasional use in the city for a few years and asked for my help. Something in the $3k-$4k range. After her running cars by me and my giving her suggestions, she decided she wanted an old Cherokee. I happened to have another friend who had a cheap Cherokee she wanted to sell, and condition and price suited my first friend and I thought it was OK for her, so she bought it. It needs a few things and she's going to take it to a shop in her neighborhood for the work. (I'd do it but I don't have time).

Vehicle in question is a 1998 4-door Cherokee Sport, 2wd. Has 195k miles, my other friend owned it for 20 years and has all records for it. Paid $2k, with the expectation of putting another $1k into it to take care of things. Known issues/needs are:

-fuel leak when running from fuel pump. Either the pump itself or a hose fitting, but it's definitely coming from the pump, just inside the LR wheel. She drove it home, but I told her to get it addressed immediately. Can't imagine an XJ fuel pump is expensive.
-needs fluid changes - engine oil is a year old, trans fluid looks pink and clean, brake fluid is dark and nasty-looking, reservoir is low and pedal is soft. So new oil, new brake fluid, bleed the brakes, check pads.
-oil leak from either the trans pan or maybe the output seal. Looks more like the pan.
-minor stuff like rear hatch struts, cleaning/detailing the interior, a/r bar end link bushings, maybe VC gasket.

There's a squeak from the front suspension occasionally, but it generally tracks straight, doesn't shake, and goes/stops/turns well. Body is completely rust-free, a surprise for a car that's spent 20 years in Chicago.

I'm not familiar with XJs - what else should be looked at when the shop has it?
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Last edited by Otter74; 10-04-2020 at 01:46 PM..
Old 10-04-2020, 01:42 PM
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