21st Aug 2008, 20:54
To the new 2001 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO owner--- congrats and good luck. Today, was about my 6th major repair (major = $500 or more) in my three year ownership. Today's problem was exact one you described and the mechanic sold me hook line and sinker like he always does (I’ve put in about $5000 in repairs over three years). As usual I had no clue as to what he was talking about and whether or not the repair was worth the $600 he was going to charge me. He told me being my Jeep was a 01, with 65k miles, it would make for economic sense to repair 3 evaporator parts for 600 rather then do a "smoke" test for 130, plus replace maybe one of the items for say another 150. He said while in there change all three.
So I did???
Wish me luck as I patiently await the next bullet : (: (
PS: if someone could explain the significant of these parts it would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS ALL.
3rd Sep 2008, 09:26
The Jeep Cherokee (introduced as a 1984 model) truly was a ground-breaking SUV. It was the first SUV to be built using uni-body construction (which Jeep called Uni-Frame), and was offered in both 2 door and 4 door body styles.
The GM 2.8 V6 was not a very good engine, but when the AMC 4.0 liter in-line 6 was offered in the Cherokee it fulfilled its true potential.
As a young man I worked at a dealership which sold AMC/Jeep, Nissan & Isuzu. The Cherokees were the best selling 4x4 we carried. They could be ordered in so many variations with so many different options, you could build one to suit virtually anybody. The fact that they continued in production through the 2001 model year, proves what a good vehicle they were. In fact, it can be argued that Chrysler made a mistake by ceasing production in favor of the Liberty. As there is still a demand for solid, simple & rugged compact SUV's like the Cherokee.
It seems Chrysler had a very good SUV, replaced it with a good SUV (but one not as simple & reliable as the one it replaced). Now again Chrysler has replaced the original Liberty with one that is inferior to the original. That's not a good trend.
If given a choice I'd take the Cherokee over the Liberty and my wife and I have owned both.
My current Jeep - A Wrangler YJ (the old AMC design) - now that's a Jeep! Noisy, crude, rough-riding - but it has never let me down.
19th Aug 2008, 13:53
If you look at your engine, I think that you'll find your vehicle is equipped with the superb 4.0 liter in-line (straight) six, as the Cherokees have not been equipped with a V6 (actually the 2.8 GM designed V6 since the mid-eighties).
You are correct in saying that they are nice SUV's!