backfire through intake
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 63
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From: Gardnerville Nv.
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
okay so i got a jeep awhile back had a post up about it got it running and now it runs and drives. However when i get on the gas the rpms drop and it basicly dies then picks back up and will go it does this every time i touch the gas below one thousand rpm. very now and again it will back fire through the intake i need it running tonight im a delivery driver full time and my other jeep got wrecked.
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Backfiring through the intake is usually a sign of a "lean" fuel/air condition.
Start with some basic fuel pressure testing; it is what would be done if you took your Jeep to a shop. You'll need a fuel pressure gauge; you must have accurate data here. If you don't have access to this gauge, they can be rented inexpensively from many parts stores; call around for availability.
At idle, you should have 31 psi of fuel pressure. Now disconnect the vacuum line leading to the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure should jump to approximately 39 psi.
Be sure that the vacuum line to the FPR is not wet with raw fuel which would indicate a ruptured fuel pressure regulator.
Start with some basic fuel pressure testing; it is what would be done if you took your Jeep to a shop. You'll need a fuel pressure gauge; you must have accurate data here. If you don't have access to this gauge, they can be rented inexpensively from many parts stores; call around for availability.
At idle, you should have 31 psi of fuel pressure. Now disconnect the vacuum line leading to the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure should jump to approximately 39 psi.
Be sure that the vacuum line to the FPR is not wet with raw fuel which would indicate a ruptured fuel pressure regulator.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Fuel pressure regulator is the big circular thing at the front of the fuel injector rail. Where the two hoses connect, closest to the power steering pump.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
And when fuel pressure regulators fail, they generally go pig rich, not lean. TEST your fuel pressure first.
Tried this to shift?
Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual.
"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I let off the gas, throw the lever, and then tap the gas and let off.
4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".
Tried this to shift?
Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual.
"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I let off the gas, throw the lever, and then tap the gas and let off.
4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 63
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From: Gardnerville Nv.
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
alright its 40 psi at the rail and 36 psi at the rail running. and that didn't get it out of 4x4 and its the non vacuum actuated axle. still back firing all vacuum lines to the regulator are good and in the proper place.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 1
From: Bakersfield CA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If you are not running lean you could have a sticking intake valve, bad spring or a timing issue.
I would start with unplugging the injectors one at a time to locate the cylinder causing the backfire(there will be some rough running doing this). You can also do this by pulling the plug wire as well. If you can isolate the problem to one cylinder take a look at the valve springs and work them, a sticking or stuck one should show itself, and or the bad spring.
As far as a timing issue cruiser will know way more than I do how to fix that.
I would start with unplugging the injectors one at a time to locate the cylinder causing the backfire(there will be some rough running doing this). You can also do this by pulling the plug wire as well. If you can isolate the problem to one cylinder take a look at the valve springs and work them, a sticking or stuck one should show itself, and or the bad spring.
As far as a timing issue cruiser will know way more than I do how to fix that.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I had backfiring out the intake. Had to feather it just so. Just a little and she might go OK, but more and it bogged and backfired out the intake. Blew the mouse nest out the front. (no sign of the mouse). Then I found if I floor-boarded it it would launch like heck. It took me a very long time to figure it out. About a year.
It waz one of the wires to my lower sensors grounding, I AM sure. .....Since I taped the grounding wire in the harness up above without checking which, I don't know which sensor wire was grounding.
You don't have a knock sensor, and your CTS is on your t-stat housing, (or is it?), so that leaves the 02 sensor.
I should un-tape my repair and look. (it was before I joined the forum). One of those three grounding can make it backfire with acceleration. (but go fine, floored, in open loop). I don't know but doubt it was the knock sensor.
My wires were routed goofy and the heat shield was cutting in. Man, was I glad to finally find that! Maybe not your issue, but in the pic below is the cause of 101 backfires!
It waz one of the wires to my lower sensors grounding, I AM sure. .....Since I taped the grounding wire in the harness up above without checking which, I don't know which sensor wire was grounding.
You don't have a knock sensor, and your CTS is on your t-stat housing, (or is it?), so that leaves the 02 sensor.
I should un-tape my repair and look. (it was before I joined the forum). One of those three grounding can make it backfire with acceleration. (but go fine, floored, in open loop). I don't know but doubt it was the knock sensor.
My wires were routed goofy and the heat shield was cutting in. Man, was I glad to finally find that! Maybe not your issue, but in the pic below is the cause of 101 backfires!
Last edited by DFlintstone; Dec 11, 2013 at 11:01 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 24
From: Nor-Cal Coast
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
If it always goes fine floor-boarded, (more than 80% throttle), it might be a sensor issue.
The computer moght ignore some sensors floor-boarded. Your CTS is not at the back of the head. (that's a the gauge/light sender). It's not on in the radiator near the battery. If you have one there, that is for the E-fan.
I'd want to rule that one out, (and it's wiring), weather it's still down below, or now up on the t-stat housing.
The computer moght ignore some sensors floor-boarded. Your CTS is not at the back of the head. (that's a the gauge/light sender). It's not on in the radiator near the battery. If you have one there, that is for the E-fan.
I'd want to rule that one out, (and it's wiring), weather it's still down below, or now up on the t-stat housing.
Last edited by DFlintstone; Dec 11, 2013 at 11:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 63
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From: Gardnerville Nv.
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
well my no pulse issue turned out to be a fire in the wiring harnes and a bad ecu. my emissions control light is on it idles fine sits at five hundred rpm. once im above a thousand rpm it goes fine besides the back fire if i rev it. i just have to have it running asap.
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