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1999 Cherokee 4.0 still runs rough

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Old 11-21-2017, 04:13 PM
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Default 1999 Cherokee 4.0 still runs rough

1999 Cherokee Classic 4.0, 191k miles. Sat for a few months before I bought it.
Runs very rough. Replaced plugs, wires, cap, button and coil. Cleaned throttle body. Have run 2 tanks of fresh gas with Sea Foam. Runs better but still chugs and sputters. The plugs fouled up and blows black smoke again. No gas mileage either.
Old 11-22-2017, 07:18 PM
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Have u checked the cylinder pressures? You can rent a tester. Easy to use. If it's not the problem you'll still always have the info.
Old 11-22-2017, 10:48 PM
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Sounds like its running excessively rich belching black smoke. Could be the upstream O2 sensor gone bad, a vacuum leak, leaking fuel injectors, or even a faulty MAP sensor. Codes should always be #1 on the list. Dont replace anything else until you do.
Old 11-23-2017, 05:13 AM
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1. Check for codes, even if you don't have a check engine light currently on (could have pending codes). You'll need a scan tool or a code reader to do this. If there are any codes, post the EXACT codes here for comment, not just a description.

2. For any "new to you" vehicle, running a compression test on all cylinders is never a bad idea. Good snapshot in time of the internal condition of the engine. For the 4.0, the spec. is 120-150 with no more than a 30 psi variation between cylinders.

3. Another must test for you is fuel pressure. For a 99, the pressure spec is 49 psi, plus or minus 5 psi. Fuel pressure is super easy to check out and is one of the first things any tech will do for a symptomatic vehicle.

4. If all of the above tests out in spec and you don't have any codes to follow, I would next test the map sensor, which is involved with fuel/air ratio. Testing this sensor can be done with a manual and a meter, of which you should have both if you own an XJ!

Good luck and keep us updated!

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