Advice Needed.

StillNotAnAggie

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My friends son drives a 2019 Grand Cherokee Laredo with 73k miles, or should I say drove. Sunday I guess it overheated, he didn't notice and it blew the head gasket. Only advice he been given is new motor or dump the car as-is. I'm asking y'all, because y'all know stuff.

What would you do in this situation? TIA.

Complete Idiot

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3:41p, 5/20/25

I'll preface this by saying I don't know what you should do, but I like talking about it.

That 2019 Laredo trim would have the 3.6L pentastar, not the 5.7l Hemi, right?

Car is not that old, used engine could be put in for under $5K? Purchase plus install costs? https://www.ebay.com/b/Engines-for-2019-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee/33615/bn_7119564965

If in good condition and running, 2019 models of same trim and mileage are around $17-20K, based on a quick look. No idea what they would sell at not running.

The first thing would be to get a second opinion on engine. Then maybe shop it around to repair shops to see if they would buy it at $14K or more. if no one offerring more than $12K in current state, consider the engine replacement if under $5K all in is possible.

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Milwaukees Best Light

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3:44p, 5/20/25

AG

Put a new engine in and dump it.

HollywoodBQ

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In reply to StillNotAnAggie • 3:46p, 5/20/25

AG

Honestly, it would really depend on what the goals are for the vehicle, how much money (if any) is still owed on the vehicle, what the owner's financial and family situations are, etc.

73k miles is not a lot for a 2019. That vehicle should run for another 180k + miles (especially after a new cylinder head).

Basically, it all comes down to, do they want a new vehicle and can they afford it.

Frankly, from what I've seen with 2024s and 2025s, a lot of these vehicles have gotten completely out of control with the amount of screen real estate and forcing you to do everything through a screen - which is a challenge when you're driving (especially at high speed like I was last week in an Audi A6 in Germany).

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StillNotAnAggie

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6:52p, 5/21/25

Thanks everyone. I think he'd prefer to get the engine replaced like suggested. I think he'd replace and let his son try and finish high school with it and then replace it with a truck. He was offered Iike 5k for the truck as-is at the place he has it, and 10-12k for an engine replacement.
Any recommendations in Houston that would do it with a used one and not insist on a Jasper or something like that? Live on the Northside, but willing to travel within reason.

zooguy96

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11:28p, 5/21/25

AG

- used motor from a wrecked one with lower miles.
- shouldn't cost more than $5k
- sell (it's a Jeep - it's when, not if it's going to have issues)
- buy a used Tacoma/Frontier/something else Toyota/Honda/Mazda.

I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.

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SuperdutyAg85

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In reply to StillNotAnAggie • 7:38a, 5/22/25

AG

Agree with recommendation for 2nd opinion on the head gasket if not 100%. Similar thing happened to my daughters 2014 Cherokee and it was an oil cooler failure that precipitated the overheating and despite oil getting in the cooling system, there was no head gasket issue.

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1agswitchin4lanes

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In reply to StillNotAnAggie • 5:42p, 5/22/25

AG

StillNotAnAggie said:
Thanks everyone. I think he'd prefer to get the engine replaced like suggested. I think he'd replace and let his son try and finish high school with it and then replace it with a truck. He was offered Iike 5k for the truck as-is at the place he has it, and 10-12k for an engine replacement.
Any recommendations in Houston that would do it with a used one and not insist on a Jasper or something like that? Live on the Northside, but willing to travel within reason.

Harold's on long point

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