Here's the deal. I have never done any major vehicle maintenance before, but I really want to get started with my XJ, because I have read on here that it is one of the easiest vehicles to work on. Since it is spring, and I am due for an oil change soon, I would like to do a full basic tune up, but I'm not exactly sure what that involves. Can anyone help me out? I guess I'm really looking for what I need to do, how to do it, what I need....you get the picture. I'm a complete novice but looking to learn, and any help would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance!

 

On a 99, spark plugs, rotor and cap, oil change, check you air filter. If you aren't the original owner of the car do a transfer case drain and fill. I know you gonna ask what an where most of these are I'm gonna let you ask cause my finger got tired from typing on iPod lol

 

ok. here we go.

-fluids: make sure they are good, and if there is any question, just change it. a good flush of your coolant system, adding an extra radiatior for the tranny is good (B&M- they are small, cheap and easy and will take a lot of the strain off your coolant system cause the engine and tranny have separate radiators.)
-battery/ alternator good?
-plugs/wires
-cap/rotor: your 99 has a distributor style set up, whereas the 2000+ have a coil pack that replaces the distributor.
-pulling your TB (throttle body) off and cleaning the hell out of it w/ TB cleaner (not carb cleaner... anymore...) is a good thing. BUT. if your going to do this, then pull the IAC valve and TPS off the TB. be ready to replace them as alot of times they are old and really not in the best shape. both the IAC and TPS are readily available at parts stores and are pretty cheap.
-air delivery? clean filter, an easy DIY project is adding a short ram air delivery... get some 2.5-3" diam. tubing (old exhaust pipe that was never an exhust is what i have- juts like 4 or 5" of it between the orriginal rubber tubing comin off the TB and the aftermarket filter is all it takes) and the aftermarket filter is like 30 bucks...
basically what im getting at is the classic AIR/FUEL/SPARK thing.
you need to have realative amounts of delivery from each.
a good exapmle is the stupid ricer: a massive intake and exhaust that makes it so you have to rev it up when stopped or it will stall... there was a kid around here w/ this issue... idiot...
also know- an short ram intake, TB spacer and big exhaust might be a cheap and easy way to "gain" HP, but, suprise! its not!!! all you are doing is allowing the vehicle to breath easier, all this will do is kinda free up the HP thats already there.
focus on the vitals- the stuff that keeps the jeep alive and healthy. then do the upgrades. jeep leafs are notorious for sag. so be ready for that. mine sit at about flat now, and i hate it. its about 450 for a 3" lift... so a little saving and i should be able to get that *** end back up there.
ALMOST FORGOT: o2 sensors. make sure these are good to go. by putting the jeep on a code reader you will be able to see if anything is not quite right. sometimes there are codes that have stored in there that havent tripped the CEL... i recently discovered this... ok! thats all i got for now! JEEPS ARE AMAZING AND EVENTHOUGH THERE ARE BUGS HERE AND THERE, THEY WILL KEEP GOING THROUGH WHATEVER!!! have fun and good luck!!!

 

Yea see if I typed all that on this thing I wouldn't be able to work on my rig lol. IMA stick with the basic first and you'll feel comfortable quite fast to remove your TB and such. Jeeps are easy and fun to work on. You'll learn alot about cars from them

 

Thank you for the responses guys. It will help a lot. I'll read up some more about what you gave me so far. Thanks a lot!

 

When you do your oil change get the.Mobil m1-301 oil filter it's high capacity that plus good oil will go a long way. Are you the original owner if not how long you've had it

 

I'm not the original owner. Got it with 97k miles on it and now it has 110k, so definitely time for a tune up. It was cold when I first got it so couldn't do a lot of the stuff I wanted to.

 

Motorcraft FL1A will also work

 

bump

 

Job #1. Buy a manual. It is the BEST money you will ever spend if you intend to do any maintenance/repairs on your XJ.

Factory Service Manual (FSM) is by far the best here. After that, Chiltons. Bringing up the rear is a Haynes manual.

You will reference this manual many, many times.