1989 Jeep Wrangler YJ Islander from North America - All Comments

Things that have gone wrong... hope there is enough storage space.

1. CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. I bought my yj on the cheap as a summer fun vehicle. It cost $ 4500 CAD, not a bad deal! It looked good and I didn't know anything about jeeps. I test drove it and seemed to be alright. made an offer and paid. When I went to drive her home she stumbled and stalled. Drove it home and thought she needed a good tune up. Replaced all of the general stuff (plugs, cap, rotor, all filters, set timing, etc) Still no good. Took it to one shop-they charged me $100 and told me I had a vacuum leak. Took it to another shop and $600 later a new manifold and decent running.

2. CLUTCH FAILED. A real pain, but expected as the jeep had 178000 km. Took to a mechanic and made a deal for $250 labour and I supply parts. Big MISTAKE!! the mechanic didn't install the clutch correctly and it blew apart before it even left the shop. More $ for labour and new parts (Mechanic said it was faulty parts-parts shop said faulty mechanic) total bill in the end was$1100. It barely made it home - The master cylinder failed. Replaced it and clutch hose ($300 more)

3. BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. Rear springs broke at the frame mount.

Replaced for $100 parts and a whole lot of my labour (and cursing)

4. REAR DIFF SPYDER GEARS BROKEN. tried to replace myself and managed to get components in. Replaced all diff bearing and diff housing at the same time due to major wear. cost about $300 parts. I could not set up the diff properly so sent it out another $400 labour.

5. REAR DRIVESHAFT U-JOINT FAILURE. It failed going into my underground garage. Drive shaft broke and took out the muffler and transfer case tailshaft. Replaced all u-joint and damaged parts myself. $300 parts.

6. BRAKES REPLACED. Not too hard. Front rotors replaced along with pads. Rear drums machined and shoes replaced. $200 parts lots of cursing.

7.SOFT TOP WINDOWS REPALCED. Couldn't see through them properly even when having them professionaly polished. $300 parts.

8. WINDSCREEN LEAK. Cowl seal leaked in the rain. $100 parts and lot's of cursing due to the fact that things didn't line up afterward. (Note to all: the leak destroyed the radio so had to upgrade to a nice cd player)

9. VARIOUS BUMPING NOISES. Had to replace all mounts (engine and transmission) $200. Lots of serious cursing as it took weeks to figure out from where all of the noises came (tail door, Hood hinges, muffler mounts, etc)

10. WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. $50 parts and lots of swearing.

11. VARIOUS CARB TUNING ISSUES. lots of swearing.

12. BROKEN PASSENGER SEAT. weld broken inside, replacement seats hard to find in good shape.

13.ETC, ETC, ETC. Lots of swearing!

For all of the problems I have had with my jeep I do love it.

I owned all sorts of cars from bmw, mg, chysler, to acura. And I must say the jeep is my favorite. When you get behind the wheel with the top down, four wheeling up a mountain you'll know why.

I've had to learn the hard way about jeep. The guys at the parts store have told me with a smile "it's not the jeep you buy...It's the jeep you build!" my $4500 jeep has turned into an $11000 jeep.

Even if it looks brand new, it's not! Every bolt will be seized, and every part will be bent! As long as you don't mind spending some serious amount of time working on your jeep, you will eventually become good friends. The ride is hard, loud and punishing. The comfort is next to nil. Parts are comparatively expensive. Mine has a computer controlled carb that has a mind of it's own. Fuel economy is the pits and reliabilty is even worse. If you still want an jeep (and I hear they are all the same),get a good service manual, and get ready for for a love-hate relationship that will last for years.

I highly recommend jeep. (It's the second most used four letter word)

I am looking at a1989 Jeep YJ Islander V6 5 speed with 207,000km. It is being sold for $3400cdn dollars and is certified and e-tested. It will be my first jeep as well. It comes only with a hard top, but a soft top will be bought for the summer.. hopefully on ebay. Any advice? You can email me at arkansasdeerslayer@yahoo.com

Thanks!

Joe.

V6??? NOPE! Only V6 used in modern day jeeps came in the Cherokees (XJ) in the form of a 2.8L TBI. WARNING! Stay away from that engine if you can. Take is from a Jeep Fanatic, newbies (And even the experienced pros) should go for Jeep's 4.0L, the best and most reliable engine ever. I know people who have wheeled abused engines that finally died after 350-400 Thousand miles (Sorry don't know what that is KM)

Ciao.

I bought an '89 Jeep...exact same problems right down to the u-joint taking out the muffler, same love/hate relationship. To answer your carb problems,...remove the idle tubes and drill them out with a 1/32 drill bit. It'll idle and run like a totally different Jeep (that trick took me a year to figure out). I have affectionately dubbed mine "The Money Pit". I fix it, I play hard, I break it, I fix it... but just try and keep up with us when it runs... Good luck!!!

The Manley Man.

Well, let me just say this: that I came across your web page looking for a new transmission for my jeep. Since the beginning, (8 yrs ago) all I had was problems. It was an '89 Jeep Islander straight 6. I have to say that I don't agree with the engine being the most reliable. I've been through two of them and I've given up. Both have had spun bearings. I've put so much time and effort into it and all it's giving me is hell. I loved the jeep so much that I haven't had the nerve to get rid of it yet because somewhere in my mind I think I can fix her. Now, on my third engine, it's blowing oil into the air filter. Most likely the piston rings aren't sealing, not the PCV valve. I can honestly say owning this jeep is the worst experience of my life. I haven't ever hated a car as much as this one and I think they're ticking time bombs. Upon reading into my transmission problems I realized that I am not alone and decided to pass along my lemon to someone else that can deal with the crappy engineering of the Jeep, the American Eyesore.

Hi, I own a 1989 YJ Jeep Wrangler, which I really enjoy and get lots of complements considering the model. All I have to say is that I agree with the 1st comment about love/hate relationship, nothing compares to drive around the Lake or just Downtown with the top down, and what I noticed about Jeep owners is that we are like a big family, same as the motorcyclist we wave to each other every time we see one, besides bikers we are the only ones that does the same.

I highly recommend a Jeep to whoever wants to own a reliable SUV and an affordable convertible.

Good Luck

Juan

Dallas, TX.

1995 Jeep YJ 4.0 liter 5 speed manual.

Things I have done to my Jeep.

Hit a 1 foot high tree stump, and bent my rims.

Drive-shaft broken after many months of vibration.

Unknown oil leakage after an incident with a pot hole.

Pros.

Tough, rugged SUV.

Simple design.

Reliable (for me anyways)

Cons:

Rough, rough ride.

Loose steering (try hitting a pothole at 55 mph in a Jeep).

Will probably start leaking oil after 100,000 miles.

Overall.

With preventative maintenance, a Jeep should last for 200,000+ miles.

I have replaced the battery, water pump, and spark wires so far.

I own a 2005 jeep "X" and so far I love it. I lifted it up 4 inches and popped some 33x12.5 mudders. There is a little drive shaft vibration at 50mph we are fine tuning it out. But over all this thing is a beast and I will never buy anything else, but a Jeep! Like said..It's a Jeep thing!

Oil on the air filter is not because of piston ring blow-by. (in your case). almost all 4.0l jeeps get it. I believe it is the pcv valve or the metal flapper on the inside of the valve cover. if you look around online I'm sure you'll find what specifically, but I just wanted to put your mind at ease. you don't have a serious motor problem.

I have a 1994 4.0L Wrangler (119000). Love it, but I've fixed transmission, water pump, radiator, exhaust manifold, exhaust, journal bearings, re-honed the cylinders, soaked the head, grinded valves, brakes twice, shocks, and oil pump. My next project is steering. Jeep wants to shake itself apart if it hits a bump on the highway or if I go over 62 mph. Any suggestions?

I have a 89 Jeep Wrangler and I agree with the love hate thing. I've had it for 3 years and now have $11,000 in her, but I love it to much to sell, the biggest problem was the computerized carburetor throw it in the trash and put a Throttle Body Injection kit on it and all is good.

We just bought a 1989 YJ a week ago. On our test drive the thermostat went on it. The dealership says they fixed it. On our next drive all went well.

The next day after buying it, the solenoid was going funny, but it was something that we could fix.

Today when we were out having Jeep fun, something went on it. What exactly we cannot figure out. The jeep is pushing fuel to the carb, but it's not igniting. It was back firing something fierce and blew two holes in the muffler. All I can say is thank-god we got out of the bush!!! We had to coast down the mountain, but was able to make it to a store barely... we had to constantly have the key turned to do anything (hopefully the starter is still OK).

Any suggestions?

I just got a Jeep YJ 1989 Sahara and it won't start, It looks like it's not getting any gas, and we have replaced the gas filter and the choke is loose. I have no clue what's wrong. Help please.

Reading these comments I feel humor and compassion. My 90 Wrangler has endured most of the problems: clutch (3 times),radiator, water pump, carburetor (now has Howell injection),dist (replaced w a Davis) just to name a few. Also a Lock Right diff. locker--don't do it unless you climb rocks for fun. It has taken out the trans. and I am looking for a replacement now. They seem to be a rare item and my little buddy is sitting in the garage until I can find a parts car. So until I get my wallet and wrenches organized there will be no fun on the road with the top off!

"I have a 1994 4.0L Wrangler (119000). Love it, but I've fixed transmission, water pump, radiator, exhaust manifold, exhaust, journal bearings, re-honed the cylinders, soaked the head, grinded valves, brakes twice, shocks, and oil pump. My next project is steering. Jeep wants to shake itself apart if it hits a bump on the highway or if I go over 62 mph. Any suggestions?"

Sounds like it is the steering stabilizer, easy fix.

"I" have a 1994 wrangler YJ..."I" have replaced u-joint, all body mounts, and bushings with polyurythane, lift kit on suspension as well as body,..."I" can't find a body tub new or used for this square headlight era... does anyone know of anyone/or place that refabs / or has the ability to find such a beast that is not "Fiberglass???