BEST no start cherokee ever!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
I, and I think he, assumed you put the white mark on the face of the balancer. If not, there is no relevance to the white mark. Your new rotor was put back to the exact place the old one was removed. There is no question about that. I had you target a landmark (white mark on the block) to align the rotors too. This had potential to be an easier way for you to swap in the new distributor, instead of first putting the engine at top dead center. Your old distributor was modified so it could be turned. The fact that it was turned so far out of relation to the new distributor, which is in the factory correct location, leads to concerns that the new distributor will need to be rotated as well, or there is a bigger timing issue that hasn't been discovered yet. All the ambiguity is my fault for gambling on the landmark method instead of the top dead center method. Unfortunately, it is going to be up to you to do the work to resolve the new questions. I believe that what you will find is that the new distributor is correct, and you will be able to continue assembly.
When you get started again, you will need to remove the 4 spark plugs. You will need either a 19mm or 3/4" socket and a long-handled socket wrench. The engine is currently showing that it is almost to #2, which means, if it is actually almost to #2, it is only about a half turn of the crankshaft from top dead center of the #1 cylinder. The engine will roll fairly easy by hand (with a wrench) with the plugs out. You have said that the auxiliary fan has already been removed, so the bolt at the center of the balancer pulley should be easy to reach. As you turn the engine clockwise, air should start escaping from the #1 spark plug hole after about a quarter turn. If so, you will start watching for the mark to come in to view at the timing scale. I'll find a picture of the timing mark.
When you get started again, you will need to remove the 4 spark plugs. You will need either a 19mm or 3/4" socket and a long-handled socket wrench. The engine is currently showing that it is almost to #2, which means, if it is actually almost to #2, it is only about a half turn of the crankshaft from top dead center of the #1 cylinder. The engine will roll fairly easy by hand (with a wrench) with the plugs out. You have said that the auxiliary fan has already been removed, so the bolt at the center of the balancer pulley should be easy to reach. As you turn the engine clockwise, air should start escaping from the #1 spark plug hole after about a quarter turn. If so, you will start watching for the mark to come in to view at the timing scale. I'll find a picture of the timing mark.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
You must make sure engine is on #1 TDC. First and foremost.
With all the spark plugs out of the engine, crank the engine by hand and note when the balancer timing mark is coming up toward the scale on the engine. Put a finger over #1 spark plug hole. If there's pressure as turning the engine , you're coming up on #1. If not, you're coming up on #4. Go around again and verify you're on #1 with pressure if you didn't have that initially. Keep in mind you must clean off the scale on the engine to find true 0. It's marked there. It's not where you have the mark rotated to now.
With all the spark plugs out of the engine, crank the engine by hand and note when the balancer timing mark is coming up toward the scale on the engine. Put a finger over #1 spark plug hole. If there's pressure as turning the engine , you're coming up on #1. If not, you're coming up on #4. Go around again and verify you're on #1 with pressure if you didn't have that initially. Keep in mind you must clean off the scale on the engine to find true 0. It's marked there. It's not where you have the mark rotated to now.
Also for s and gs
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
There should be a notch in the pulley and if you clean off the marks to the left of the hole on the timing cover, you should see the degrees marked.
It is essential that after you identify the marks that there is pressure coming out #1 cylinder as the marks begin to match up.
It is essential that after you identify the marks that there is pressure coming out #1 cylinder as the marks begin to match up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
There should be a notch in the pulley and if you clean off the marks to the left of the hole on the timing cover, you should see the degrees marked.
It is essential that after you identify the marks that there is pressure coming out #1 cylinder as the marks begin to match up.
It is essential that after you identify the marks that there is pressure coming out #1 cylinder as the marks begin to match up.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
Likes: 112
From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Really quick, just back the engine up (counter clockwise with your socket wrench) the length of a good pull, and then bring it back to where your mark is. This time validate air is escaping through the spark plug hole. I think "0" or TDC is the notch next to the aluminum tube thing.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
so I guess those my blue circle is around are the marks I am looking for? no one has confirmed that those marks are what I am looking for..... .. i did zoom in for that to see those better..
i'm slow today... I didn't sleep well, I am more than happy to go clean it off better... I was aiming for the marks to make sure I am looking at the right thing and not some dumb gouge..
also, it is starting to sprinkle.. yay spring..
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
Likes: 112
From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
That is squeaky clean now, and yes those are the marks you are looking for. Can you just bump it over a touch so the notch is in line with the 0 mark on the scale.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
Im gonna say I'm not feeling anything.. smallish but not too small piece of paper towel also didn't move... so I gotta go all the way around right?
also, seemed to just be a tiny sprinkle.. so I'm not out for the night yet.. I feel like we are really close
also, seemed to just be a tiny sprinkle.. so I'm not out for the night yet.. I feel like we are really close
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
Likes: 112
From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I know it's kinda acrobatic, but you have to cork the spark plug hole with a finger or thumb while you rotate the engine. There isn't enough volume at this speed to be noticeable any other way. You might get a pound or two on a compression gage. I wouldn't go around again, just back a little and forward again. And we are close.
