I have an '01 Grand Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0 Inline 6cyl. I took it in to a local Pep Boys and they told me i had dropped the 5th cylinder in my engine and had water coolant mixing in with my oil. Is there any way to fix these problems without replacing the entire engine? the engine still starts right up but it has a lot of shaking and a loud smacking sound so i can tell that at least one cylinder is off.

Not really, if you have dropped a con-rod which forms part of the piston in th cyinder's movement (which it sounds like you have) then it normaly causes imense damge to the block wich is ultimatly the core of the motor.

If the block isn't damaged however you can have the engine completly recondition at a much more acceptable price.

It is not advised to try and repair a damaged engine block, even though many believe it is truelly 100% after being repaired.

My advice is if the block is still ok have the internal components checked by an engineering works replace what is neccesary and recondition the engine.

Please don't run the engine anymore unless you want to take it to the junk yard. you have most likely damaged it too badly already. be ready to get a new engine. when you replace one piston it is always a good practice to do all of them at once so that they are still balanced. it may be cheaper to get a new engine.

Most likely has a bad head gasket.I would not condem the engine till i had the head off and inspected the cylinder wall.Pep boys is a good place for tires and brakes , I would be suprised there is anyone there prepared to pull the head off.Get a second oppinion.

2001 Cherokee Sport 135,000 miles. Leaks oil but check levels frequently and never seems to need any added. I can smell burnt oil after it is shut off and I walk by. Recently noticed it has been eating coolant. And lastly, at times Jeep handles like I am riding on flat tires but they aren't flat. is that shocks?