Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Valve spring and seal. Cylinder head. Cylinder head

Valve spring and seal

This procedure can be done with the engine cylinder head installed on the block.

REMOVAL

Each valve spring is held in place by a retainer and a set of conical valve locks. The locks can be removed only by compressing the valve spring.

(1) Remove the engine cylinder head cover. Refer to procedure in this section.

(2) Remove cap screws, bridge and pivot assemblies and rocker arms for access to each valve spring to be removed.

(3) Remove push rods. Retain the push rods, bridges, pivots and rocker arms in the same order and position as removed.

(4) Inspect the springs and retainer for cracks and possible signs of weakening.

(5) Remove the spark plug(s) adjacent to the cylinder( s) below the valve springs to be removed.

(6) Install a 14 mm (1/2 inch) (thread size) air hose adaptor in the spark plug hole.

(7) Connect an air hose to the adapter and apply air pressure slowly. Maintain at least 621 kPa (90 psi) of air pressure in the cylinder to hold the valves against their seats. For vehicles equipped with an air conditioner, use a flexible air adaptor when servicing the No.1 cylinder.

(8) Tap the retainer or tip with a rawhide hammer to loosen the lock from the retainer. Use Valve Spring Compressor Tool MD-998772A to compress the spring and remove the locks (Fig. 54).

(9) Remove valve spring and retainer (Fig. 54).

(10) Remove valve stem oil seals (Fig. 54). Note the valve seals are different for intake and exhaust valves. The top of each seal is marked either INT (intake/black in color) or EXH (exhaust/brown in color). DO NOT mix the seals.

INSTALLATION

Inspect the valve stems, especially the grooves. An Arkansas smooth stone should be used to remove nicks and high spots.

Fig. 54 Valve and Valve Components

1 - VALVE LOCKS (3-BEAD)
2 - RETAINER
3 - VALVE STEM OIL SEAL
4 - INTAKE VALVE
5 - EXHAUST VALVE
6 - VALVE SPRING

CAUTION: Install oil seals carefully to prevent damage from the sharp edges of the valve spring lock grove.

(1) Lightly push the valve seal over the valve stem and valve guide boss. Be sure the seal is completely seated on the valve guide boss.

(2) Install valve spring and retainer.

(3) Compress the valve spring with Valve Spring Compressor Tool MD-998772A and insert the valve locks. Release the spring tension and remove the tool. Tap the spring from side-to-side to ensure that the spring is seated properly on the engine cylinder head.

(4) Release air pressure and disconnect the air hose. Remove the adaptor from the spark plug hole and install the spark plug.

(5) Repeat the procedures for each remaining valve spring to be removed.

(6) Install the push rods. Ensure the bottom end of each rod is centered in the plunger cap seat of the hydraulic valve tappet.

(7) Install the rocker arms, pivots and bridge at their original location.

(8) Tighten the bridge cap screws alternately, one at a time, to avoid damaging the bridge. Tighten the cap screws to 28 N·m (21 ft. lbs.) torque.

(9) Install the engine cylinder head cover.

Cylinder head

This procedure can be done with the engine in or out of the vehicle.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect negative cable from battery.

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE CYLINDER BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN THE RADIATOR DRAIN COCK WITH THE SYSTEM HOT AND PRESSURIZED BECAUSE SERIOUS BURNS FROM THE COOLANT CAN OCCUR.

(2) Drain the coolant and disconnect the hoses at the engine thermostat housing. DO NOT waste reusable coolant. If the solution is clean and is being drained only to service the engine or cooling system, drain the coolant into a clean container for reuse.

(3) Remove the air cleaner assembly.

(4) Remove the engine cylinder head cover. (Refer to procedure in this section) (5) Remove the capscrews, bridge and pivot assemblies and rocker arms (Fig. 55).

(6) Remove the push rods (Fig. 55). Retain the push rods, bridges, pivots and rocker arms in the same order as removed.

(7) Loosen the accessory drive belt at the power steering pump bracket, if equipped or at the idler pulley bracket (refer to Group 7, Cooling System for the proper procedure).

(8) If equipped with air conditioning, perform the following: (a) Remove the bolts from the A/C compressor mounting bracket and set the compressor aside.

(b) Remove the air conditioner compressor bracket bolts from the engine cylinder head.

(c) Loosen the through bolt at the bottom of the bracket.

(9) If equipped, disconnect the power steering pump bracket. Set the pump and bracket aside. DO NOT disconnect the hoses.

(10) Perform fuel pressure release procedure (Refer to Group 14, fuel systems for proper procedures).

(11) Remove the latch clip and disconnect the fuel supply hose.

(12) Remove the intake and engine exhaust manifolds from the engine cylinder head (refer to Group 11, Exhaust System and Intake Manifold for the proper procedures).

(13) Number and disconnect the ignition wires and remove the spark plugs.

(14) Disconnect the coolant temperature sending unit connector.

(15) Remove the engine cylinder head bolts.

Fig. 55 Rocker Arm Assembly

1 - CAPSCREWS
2 - BRIDGE
3 - PIVOT ASSEMBLY
4 - PUSH RODS
5 - ROCKER ARMS

(16) Remove the engine cylinder head and gasket (Fig. 56).

(17) If this was the first time the bolts were removed, put a paint dab on the top of the bolt. If the bolts have a paint dab on the top of the bolt or it isn't known if they were used before, discard the bolts.

(18) Stuff clean lint free shop towels into the cylinder bores.

NOTE: If valves, springs, or seals are to be inspected/ replaced at this time, refer to Valves and Valve Springs later in this section for proper inspection procedures.

INSTALLATION

The engine cylinder head gasket is a composition gasket. The gasket is to be installed DRY. DO NOT use a gasket sealing compound on the gasket.

If the engine cylinder head is to be replaced and the original valves used, measure the valve stem diameter. Only standard size valves can be used with a service replacement engine cylinder head unless the replacement head valve stem guide bores are reamed to accommodate oversize valve stems.

Remove all carbon buildup and reface the valves.

Fig. 56 Engine Cylinder Head Assembly

1 - BRIDGE
2 - PIVOT ASM.
3 - ROCKER ARM
4 - CYLINDER HEAD
5 - HEAD GASKET
6 - PUSH ROD

(1) Fabricate two engine cylinder head alignment dowels from used head bolts (Fig. 57). Use the longest head bolt. Cut the head of the bolt off below the hex head. Then cut a slot in the top of the dowel to allow easier removal with a screwdriver.

Fig. 57 Fabricate Alignment Dowels

1 - USED CYLINDER HEAD BOLT
2 - SLOT

(2) Install one dowel in bolt hole No.10 and the other dowel in bolt hole No.8 (Fig. 58).

(3) Remove the shop towels from the cylinder bores. Coat the bores with clean engine oil.

(4) Place the engine cylinder head gasket (with the numbers facing up) over the dowels.

(5) Place the engine cylinder head over the dowels.

Fig. 58 Alignment Dowel Locations

1 - ALIGNMENT DOWEL
2 - ALIGNMENT DOWEL

CAUTION: Engine cylinder head bolts should be reused only once. Replace the head bolts if they were used before or if they have a paint dab on the top of the bolt.

(6) Coat the threads of bolt No.7, only, with Loctite PST sealant or equivalent.

(7) Install all head bolts, except No.8 and No.10.

(8) Remove the dowels.

(9) Install No.8 and No.10 head bolts.

CAUTION: During the final tightening sequence, bolt No.7 will be tightened to a lower torque than the rest of the bolts. DO NOT overtighten bolt No.7.

(10) Tighten the engine cylinder head bolts in sequence according to the following procedure (Fig.

59) : (a) Tighten all bolts in sequence (1 through 10) to 30 N·m (22 ft. lbs.) torque.

(b) Tighten all bolts in sequence (1 through 10) to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.

(c) Check all bolts to verify they are set to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.

(d) Tighten bolts (in sequence):

•  Bolts 1 through 6 to 149 N·m (110 ft. lbs.) torque.
•  Bolt 7 to 136 N·m (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
•  Bolts 8 through 10 to 149 N·m (110 ft. lbs.) torque.

(e) Check all bolts in sequence to verify the correct torque.

(f) If not already done, clean and mark each bolt with a dab of paint after tightening. Should you encounter bolts which were painted in an earlier service operation, replace them.

(11) Connect the coolant temperature sending unit connector.

(12) Install the spark plugs and tighten to 37 N·m (27 ft. lbs.) torque. Connect the ignition wires.

Fig. 59 Engine cylinder head Bolt Tightening Sequence

(13) Install the intake and exhaust manifolds (refer to Group 11, Exhaust System and Intake Manifold for the proper procedures).

(14) Install the fuel supply line. Push until a "click" is heard. Reinstall latch clip.

(15) If equipped, attach the power steering pump and bracket.

(16) Install the push rods, rocker arms, pivots and bridges in the order they were removed.

(17) Install the engine cylinder head cover.

(18) Attach the air conditioning compressor mounting bracket to the engine cylinder head and block.

Tighten the bolts to 40 N·m (30 ft. lbs.) torque.

(19) Attach the air conditioning compressor to the bracket. Tighten the bolts to 27 N·m (20 ft. lbs.) torque.

CAUTION: The accessory drive belt must be routed correctly. Incorrect routing can cause the water pump to turn in the opposite direction causing the engine to overheat.

(20) Install the accessory drive belt and correctly tension the belt (refer to Group 7, Cooling System for the proper procedure).

(21) Install the air cleaner assembly.

(22) Connect the hoses to the thermostat housing and fill the cooling system to the specified level (refer to Group 7, Cooling Systems for the proper procedure).

(23) Install the coolant temperature sending unit connector.

(24) Connect negative cable to battery.

(25) Connect the upper radiator hose and heater hose at the thermostat housing.

(26) Fill the cooling system. Check for leaks.

WARNING: USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. DO NOT STAND IN DIRECT LINE WITH THE FAN. DO NOT PUT HANDS NEAR THE PULLEYS, BELTS OR FAN. DO NOT WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING.

(27) Operate the engine with the radiator cap off.

Inspect for leaks and continue operating the engine until the thermostat opens. Add coolant, if required.

Cylinder head

DISASSEMBLY

(1) Use Valve Spring Compressor Tool MD-998772A and compress each valve spring.

(2) Remove the valve locks, retainers, springs and valve stem oil seals. Discard the oil seals.

(3) Use an Arkansas smooth stone or a jewelers file to remove any burrs on the top of the valve stem, especially around the groove for the locks.

(4) Remove the valves, and place them in a rack in the same order as removed.

ASSEMBLY

(1) Thoroughly clean the valve stems and the valve guide bores.

(2) Lightly lubricate the stem.

(3) Install the valve in the original valve guide bore.

(4) Install the replacement valve stem oil seals on the valve stems. If the 0.381 mm (0.015 inch) oversize valve stems are used, oversize oil seals are required.

(5) Position the valve spring and retainer on the engine cylinder head and compress the valve spring with Valve Spring Compressor Tool MD-998772A.

(6) Install the valve locks and release the tool.

(7) Tap the valve spring from side to side with a hammer to ensure that the spring is properly seated at the engine cylinder head. Also tap the top of the retainer to seat the valve locks.