# 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee - Needs a head gasket and water pump - Is this the start of trouble? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jeep\ **Created:** [February 19, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220 "2023-02-19T18:03:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kjfitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c5a1d2/32.png) [@kjfitz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kjfitz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/1 "2023-02-19T18:03:28Z")
My 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee needs to have the head gasket replaced and water pump. It is under 60,000 miles (59,400) but 5 1/2 years old. Jeep is not honoring the warrantee since it is over 5 years old. This is a very expensive repair. Any thoughts or advice? Is this common problem with Jeeps? Should I get rid of car? I’m wondering if more problems will appear. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/2 "2023-02-19T18:35:52Z")
What engine? they had a V6 and 2 V8’s and a diesel (but rare) They have the right to end the warranty once it ends, no matter how close (yes it is frustrating), but sometimes the manufacture will help some with the price as long as you don’t go at them like an A hole, but you also have to be firm and persistence… Sometimes they will help just to make you go away and stop bothering them… lol If they don’t cover it then you need to get some estimates from independent shop, they are normally cheaper and can offer different options (like used engine or reman with a great warranty on top of just replacing the failed gaskets)… ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/3 "2023-02-19T21:01:49Z")
The damaged cylinder heads/gaskets are a result of overheating the engine. If only the water pump had been replaced before it led to the engine overheating. Often this damage can be mitigated. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/4 "2023-02-19T22:35:20Z")
Modern engines are constructed sort of like a two-layer cake. Top layer is cylinder head, which is bolted to bottom layer. Cylinder head gasket is in between. Engine frosting. Seems simple enough, might think replacing gasket shouldn’t be overly expensive. Problem is the cylinder head is like the engine’s Grand General Station. Almost everything in & out goes through cylinder head. So a lot of stuff has be be disconnected to replace that gasket, time consuming & exacting work. Requires highly trained, experienced mechanic. > [@kjfitz](#): > > Is this common problem with Jeeps? Not from the posts I’ve seen here. You could make use of the forum search feature to see what others have posted here about their Jeeps, link upper right this page. It seems like the most common Jeep drivetrain problems discussed here have to do with electrical power distribution and sensors. A CH gasket should last longer than 5 years, but they aren’t indestructible. They will easily fail if engine ever significantly overheats, or if cooling system maintenance is deferred or done incorrectly. > [@kjfitz](#): > > Should I get rid of car? I’m wondering if more problems will appear. If you pretty much like your Grand Cherokee otherwise, and are comfortable with the risks associated with a 5 + year old vehicle, remember every part is 5 years old, imo your best bet is to have the head gasket repaired, and keep on driving your Jeep. Beyond that keep on top of the cooling system inspection & maintenance schedule, and get in the habit of monitoring the dashboard engine coolant temperature gauge. If you catch overheating incidents soon enough and stop the engine, you can often get away with just a minor repair. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/5 "2023-02-19T22:45:15Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > A CH gasket should last longer than 5 years, but they aren’t indestructible OK , I know you meant Cylinder Head gasket but not everyone who comes here does . They just might wonder where a CH gasket is on their vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/6 "2023-02-19T23:03:47Z")
It took me a minute to figure out what OP was at 1st… ha ha ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/7 "2023-02-20T16:20:59Z")
> [@kjfitz](#): > > I’m wondering if more problems will appear. > **[2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine problems](https://www.carcomplaints.com/Jeep/Grand_Cherokee/2017/engine/)** > > 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems with 86 complaints from Grand Cherokee owners. The worst complaints are broken cam shaft, broken cams and tappets, and catastrophic failure blown apart. Tester ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/8 "2023-02-20T16:52:04Z")
Was the car stopped immediately when it overheated? Usually the head gasket will survive that. ---
**Author:** ![kjfitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c5a1d2/32.png) [@kjfitz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kjfitz)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/9 "2023-02-20T17:19:33Z")
The car never over heated. Temperature gage was always closer to cold than hot. I only noticed a problem by smelling coolant. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/10 "2023-02-20T18:58:03Z")
> [@kjfitz](#): > > The car never over heated. Temperature gage was always closer to cold than hot. I only noticed a problem by smelling coolant. Unfortunately the temp gauge can be a little misleading as it is possible it was not working correctly for many reasons, but also as the coolant level drops it makes it much harder for the ECT (engine coolant temp) sensor to read the temp correctly… Think of it like this, boil some water, now put your hand 12" over the boiling water, you will feel heat but nothing to bad, now slowly move your hand closer to the hot water, you will notice the water feeling hotter, the water is not getting hotter your hand is just closer to it now… (WARRANING: PLEASE don’t put our hand too close or in the boiling water IT WILL BURN YOU) lol… Same with the ECT it can possibly give you a false reading if coolant is not full to spec… Meaning if the water pump was leaking and the coolant got low enough you could have over heated it not knowing you did and pop goes the head gasket… ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/11 "2023-02-20T19:02:16Z")
A head gasket can leak externally and not cause overheating if coolant doesn’t drop too low. And if the coolant comes in contact with a hot engine component, it’ll cause a coolant smell. Tester ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/12 "2023-02-20T19:12:52Z")
> [@lion9car](#): > > Was the car stopped immediately when it overheated? Usually the head gasket will survive that Not always, I seen many 1st gen Taurus overheat and by the time you got pulled over and engine turned off you had already cracked the head(s)… A head gasket can blow at least 6 different ways… Compression leaks to crankcase… Compression leaks between cylinders… Compression leaks to coolant… (block test) Blown coolant port to Oil port… Blown Coolant port to outside… Oil port blown to outside (as Tester mentioned)… ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/13 "2023-02-21T01:27:28Z")
I’m not sure I agree with you here. You believe you have a blown headgasket and bad waterpump because you smelled coolant? How much coolant have you lost? What is the rate of loss? Are you overheating? Do you see coolant leaking from the water pump weep hole? If your water pump was bad, you would be overheating. Did you have this looked at by a professional? If you did, did you get a second opinion? ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/14 "2023-02-21T13:50:37Z")
> [@kjfitz](#): > > should I get rid of car? If it were me I would. > [@kjfitz](#): > > I’m wondering if more problems will appear. It’s a Jeep, things will only go downhill from here. I think the Jeep “beginner package” includes a AAA membership 🤣 😂 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/15 "2023-02-21T14:14:44Z")
Did the shop explain how they determined that the head gaskets need replacement? If you are leaking coolant it might just be the water pump. They may be right but I’d want a thorough explanation of why head gasket and water pump replacement is needed. You might want a second opinion. You don’t say, but if this is a dealer I’d get an opinion from a good independent shop. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/16 "2023-02-21T16:20:22Z")
What? Shop doesn’t recommend motor replacement? ---
**Author:** ![cwatkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@cwatkin](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cwatkin)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/17 "2023-02-21T20:23:40Z")
My girlfriend had a car with a bad head gasket or something along those lines. It blew much of the coolant out the overflow and exhaust gasses were bubbling from the coolant reservoir if you had the cap off with it running. One thing was for sure… That coolant smelled like DEATH! It just smelled absolutely TERRIBLE with the exhaust gasses contaminating it. She got $1500 for a trade in which I thought was good considering this and other things were wrong with the car. I told her not to complain if she got $1000 or better so she was happy. As for a Jeep, they are an investment to put it nicely. Many Jeeps have a saying in the back window along the lines of “JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket”. ---
**Author:** ![john.smith0909123\_160324](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@john.smith0909123\_160324](https://community.cartalk.com/u/john.smith0909123_160324)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/18 "2023-02-21T21:25:50Z")
Pictures of the leaking head gasket and WP? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/19 "2023-02-21T21:52:19Z")
> [@cwatkin](#): > > As for a Jeep, they are an investment Investments make money. A 17 Jeep is not an investment because it just absorbs money. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2023, 10:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220/20 "2023-02-21T22:05:58Z")
**Never buy a car as an investment. Buy a car to drive. That way, you’ll limit your** **disappointment to only one area.” — Ray** Tester [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-jeep-grand-cherokee-needs-a-head-gasket-and-water-pump-is-this-the-start-of-trouble/189220.md?page=2)