BEST no start cherokee ever!!
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Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
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From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
weather forecast says rain after 3pm for me... eastern time.. and light rain now, with darkness approaching
seems like a fine day to do electrical lol
seems like a fine day to do electrical lol
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
Likes: 112
From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
[QUOTE=onestrongwriter;3696758]I did not turn it anymore... but I do want to be sure that if I need to I can happily take the dizzy back out and rotate it 180 since the air was felt on
Maybe you felt a slight suction... The valves aren't doing the same thing when the engine is rolling backwards. Both valves are only closed during the compression stroke and the power stroke. One valve or the other are open on the exhaust and intake stroke.
Maybe you felt a slight suction... The valves aren't doing the same thing when the engine is rolling backwards. Both valves are only closed during the compression stroke and the power stroke. One valve or the other are open on the exhaust and intake stroke.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
Maybe you felt a slight suction... The valves aren't doing the same thing when the engine is rolling backwards. Both valves are only closed during the compression stroke and the power stroke. One valve or the other are open on the exhaust and intake stroke.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
i did switch wrenches... that fan bit me lol I can do it again tomorrow now that I know kinda more what I am doing. And I will be more motivated with new plugs nearby..
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
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From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Alright, let's do that. From 2000 miles away, it looks like the tailing edge of the rotor tip IS just departing from the #1 spark plug post. So, pending a sat TDC check and your concurrence on the alignment of that rotor, I think you will be ready for plugs and wires tomorrow.I don’t know if it helps much to speculate, but last night, while thinking about that old distributor, I don’t think you weren’t driving around with it in the position we all saw it in prior to removal. I’d bet that it was rotated by the sync sensor wires at the point the connector was ripped off.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
Alright, let's do that. From 2000 miles away, it looks like the tailing edge of the rotor tip IS just departing from the #1 spark plug post. So, pending a sat TDC check and your concurrence on the alignment of that rotor, I think you will be ready for plugs and wires tomorrow.I don’t know if it helps much to speculate, but last night, while thinking about that old distributor, I don’t think you weren’t driving around with it in the position we all saw it in prior to removal. I’d bet that it was rotated by the sync sensor wires at the point the connector was ripped off.
if it was turned just a bit when it was installed with the tab cut off.. and with the oil leak.. seems to make sense. though I couldn't turn it, but again, it was the cap I tried to turn not knowing more about it.
You said it was a common "mod" so it might be worth speculating for someone else looking for that info..
of course, it still doesn't explain why the driver side was all wet.. and not with an oil because I cant tell looking at it now it was ever wet.. and I didn't dry it off.. My initial thought was catastrophic engine failure..
which reminds me.. I still need to tighten those intake manifold bolts too.. Maybe I will start on Cruiser's lists this weekend with the ground wires.. after we get it running.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
maybe if you cut off the tab, use a different kind of brace that can keep the whole thing from rotating when the engine is running..
Last edited by onestrongwriter; Apr 29, 2023 at 12:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 216
Likes: 11
From: west central Michigan
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 2.5L
I will do it the right way and check tdc after i drink this coffee
but..
https://blog.kaiserwillys.com/******...ur-first-start
but..
https://blog.kaiserwillys.com/******...ur-first-start
Senior Member




Joined: May 2021
Posts: 561
Likes: 112
From: Western Washington
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
You want to pull the valve cover? It's another way of doing it. It's not so cut and dry obvious when you're the only one turning the engine over, but it is valid. You'll notice that his valve cover gasket broke apart. You may find that you must replace the valve cover gasket instead of need too.


