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Spark Plug Recommendations
04-17-2011, 10:34 PM
#16
CF Veteran
x2 with BustedKnuckle.
Also, you mentioned "it did not come with an owners manual". Well, EVERY vehicle since 1970 has came with one of these and its illegal to deface/remove so I ASSUME you have one.
Also, you mentioned "it did not come with an owners manual". Well, EVERY vehicle since 1970 has came with one of these and its illegal to deface/remove so I ASSUME you have one.
04-17-2011, 10:39 PM
#17
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Well honestly, like I've said before, I'm not a gear head of any sort. I don't read every sticker that's on my Jeep - there's too many of them. I would have never guessed that the spark plug I needed was wrote on a sticker.
Now I know though.
Now I know though.
04-17-2011, 11:55 PM
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I-6
Originally Posted by Bustedknuckle
It's okay, we can turn this ship around and get her pointed in the correct direction. We'll call this the official -
"Newb who signed up today to ask 1 question but wants to know exactly about his specific need thread instead of searching."
Thread.
So... deep breath... ready?
Also consider changing out your plug wires, as they have seen just as much wear and tear as the rest of the electrical system. Changing them out with a standard plug wire will be fine, either via Mopar from your local Dealer or Autolite seems to be a popular choice for O.E fitment (<- there's that word again!)
Next, as preventative maintenance, consider changing the distributor cap and rotor, seeing as they too have probably seen 142000 miles at this point. Also, given your exact climate, it might be a good notion to replace or at least purchase an ignition coil for spare or instant installation. Why? Because an ignition coil changes your 12v system to the required 150,000 to 170,000 volts required to achieve correct spark. It achieves this by simply spinning a copper wire around a magnet. But given the fact you absolutely love your XJ, I assume your already sold.
Other points of interest would include a fuel filter, air filter, transmission filter kit, flushing all fluids, i.e Coolant, transmission oil, front and rear gear oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid (D.O.T 3 or whatever you choose to supersede it). When changing differential fluid, be sure to add Mopar LSD additive, available at your local dealer for under $10 with tax.
Doing all that you will see another 100 trillion miles out of your beloved XJ.
Welcome to the cereal bowl, please stick around for the cookies and pie. We're a fun bunch.
"Newb who signed up today to ask 1 question but wants to know exactly about his specific need thread instead of searching."
Thread.
So... deep breath... ready?
Also consider changing out your plug wires, as they have seen just as much wear and tear as the rest of the electrical system. Changing them out with a standard plug wire will be fine, either via Mopar from your local Dealer or Autolite seems to be a popular choice for O.E fitment (<- there's that word again!)
Next, as preventative maintenance, consider changing the distributor cap and rotor, seeing as they too have probably seen 142000 miles at this point. Also, given your exact climate, it might be a good notion to replace or at least purchase an ignition coil for spare or instant installation. Why? Because an ignition coil changes your 12v system to the required 150,000 to 170,000 volts required to achieve correct spark. It achieves this by simply spinning a copper wire around a magnet. But given the fact you absolutely love your XJ, I assume your already sold.
Other points of interest would include a fuel filter, air filter, transmission filter kit, flushing all fluids, i.e Coolant, transmission oil, front and rear gear oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid (D.O.T 3 or whatever you choose to supersede it). When changing differential fluid, be sure to add Mopar LSD additive, available at your local dealer for under $10 with tax.
Doing all that you will see another 100 trillion miles out of your beloved XJ.
Welcome to the cereal bowl, please stick around for the cookies and pie. We're a fun bunch.
04-18-2011, 01:31 AM
#19
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Converse, Texas
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Like others have said, stick with the Champions, Jeep's engineer's worked countless hours to see what plug is best, they ended up with Champion. And great job making us XJ owners sound like a bunch of douchebags guys, educate, don't hate. Poking fun is all fine and good (Please, change where you say V6, it's a STRAIGHT 6, or INLINE 6, as in I6). If someone doesn't know, they don't know, ignorance isn't idiocy.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
04-18-2011, 10:48 PM
#20
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mid-West Illinois
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Like others have said, stick with the Champions, Jeep's engineer's worked countless hours to see what plug is best, they ended up with Champion. And great job making us XJ owners sound like a bunch of douchebags guys, educate, don't hate. Poking fun is all fine and good (Please, change where you say V6, it's a STRAIGHT 6, or INLINE 6, as in I6). If someone doesn't know, they don't know, ignorance isn't idiocy.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
http://www.amazon.com/High-Performan.../dp/1932494146
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
http://www.amazon.com/High-Performan.../dp/1932494146
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
Also quick question, do I need a special tool to "gap" my spark plugs? I was under the impression that I just take the old ones out and put in the new.
04-18-2011, 11:41 PM
#21
CF Veteran
They should be pretty close to the right gap, but its always good to check them. They usually have the "tool" at the checkout counter for about a buck.
Still waiting for "HELP I STRIPPED OUT MY HEAD OMG!" thread.
Be careful.
Still waiting for "HELP I STRIPPED OUT MY HEAD OMG!" thread.
Be careful.
Last edited by 89Laredo; 04-18-2011 at 11:47 PM.
04-18-2011, 11:45 PM
#22
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
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Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
I thought someone also told me NGK's were good for the 4.0 as well? Just stay away from those Bosch platinum blah blah and those Pulseplugs blah blah and E3 blah crap. The 4.0 wasn't designed for any of that. And MANY times agreed with Defiance. Be careful with those plugs. Nice, even but firm pressure to loosen them. Be sure to add anti-seize to the new plugs.
04-18-2011, 11:54 PM
#23
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I thought someone also told me NGK's were good for the 4.0 as well? Just stay away from those Bosch platinum blah blah and those Pulseplugs blah blah and E3 blah crap. The 4.0 wasn't designed for any of that. And MANY times agreed with Defiance. Be careful with those plugs. Nice, even but firm pressure to loosen them. Be sure to add anti-seize to the new plugs.
04-18-2011, 11:59 PM
#25
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Location: Fauquier County, Virginia
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Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6 4.0 HO
Edit: this stuff. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=196158_0_0_
04-19-2011, 12:03 AM
#26
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
04-19-2011, 12:06 AM
#27
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Wherever you buy your plugs, ask them for some spark plug anti-seize. I know A/Z recommends it with the purchase. It's just a little package, but a great assurance. They should know what you're needing. If not, I would question their know-how.
Edit: this stuff. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=196158_0_0_
Edit: this stuff. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=196158_0_0_
04-19-2011, 07:39 AM
#29
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Austin, Texas
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Year: 1991
Engine: 4.0 I-6 H.O.
Like others have said, stick with the Champions, Jeep's engineer's worked countless hours to see what plug is best, they ended up with Champion. And great job making us XJ owners sound like a bunch of douchebags guys, educate, don't hate. Poking fun is all fine and good (Please, change where you say V6, it's a STRAIGHT 6, or INLINE 6, as in I6). If someone doesn't know, they don't know, ignorance isn't idiocy.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
http://www.amazon.com/High-Performan.../dp/1932494146
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
Anyways, back to you OP, welcome to CF, don't worry, I'm sure you'll become a grease-monkey pretty soon, I didn't even know what a differential was when I first got mine, now I can do quite a bit myself. Try changing the plugs yourself, it's actually pretty easy, just make sure to gap them correctly, just ask around, trust me, you can't beat that great feeling you get when you did something YOURSELF, rather than take it to a mechanic. Here's a couple books that will REALLY help you get started-
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-%2784-%2701-Repair-Manual-Haynes_6060072-P_626_R|GRPBOOKS_775256726____
http://www.amazon.com/High-Performan.../dp/1932494146
https://www.techauthority.com/en-US/...px?itemID=1270
Last one is kind of expensive, but it makes the Haynes manual look like a pamphlet.
cant get down the road with out something breaking, then fix or patch that up, then bang something else
04-19-2011, 08:02 AM
#30
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I used the stock Champs gapped @.035 but next time I'm gonna try some NGKs since I run them in 4 other cars and they seem to do very well.