I have a 98 with a 4.0 auto trans that is hard to start.I tuned it up and it runs great..i'v checked the vacuum lines and ran seafoam through the intake and i can't find anything wrong with it.The problem is when you go to start it you have to crank it for a few seconds let off the key (return it to off) then hold thr throttle pedal down just a bit and then it will fire right off..It puzzling because it idles and runs just fine..Any suggestions?

 

just for kicks. try turning it to the on position, right before the position to crank it over, and back off sever times. this primes the fuel pump. you can kinda hear the motor whine a little. like 3-5x should be enough. do it in a steady rapid succession and see if it wants to start easier... have you had it on a code reader ? sometimes there are codes that will have stored in there but not tripped your CEL.

 

If the "priming" works sounds like a bad check valve issue with the pump

 

Is there a way to just stick an inline electric pump in the line to help boost the pressure without doing anything to the stock pump in the tank.Has anyone eliminated the stock tank pump and put an inline pump on their rig?

 

i know people that has done it and it will work but i for one do not like it it only takes a few more min to drop the gas tank but on cherokee's i know some people can pull it out without droping the tank but for me dropping it is alot easier than getting 8 cup fulls of dirt in the eye....