Hello!

Although I've owned a YJ, I'm totally new to XJ's. I've looked at all sorts of boards and I decided to finally join this one because you folks seem genuinely cool

Being a total XJ noob, I was hoping for some advice and information please

First, I found an open hose behind the transmission dipstick. Should theis be open, or attached to something?

 

That's for a Leak Detection Pump.

If you don't have a LDP, that hose normally has a vent cap on it. The tube goes back to the Evap Canister under the left side, near the rear axle.

 

Second, I found an odd looking connector on the passenger side of the engine bay just to the left of the fuse box. Some of the images I've looked over kind of looked like this was a connector to the computer. It almost looks like there's a "safety plug" in it to keep it clean and dry. Once more, I'm just not sure

 

Welcome.

I believe it is the front differential breather tube, and should remain open. It might have had a one-way valve on it at one time.

I'm sure someone who knows more than me on this will chime in.

Edit: I see CCKen answered while I was typing.

 

This is a '98 Cherokee Sport, is an LDP something it should have, or should I find some way to cap it?

 

Great, thank you

 

That's for Daytime Running Lamps. It would connect to the DRL module located in that area if you had DRL.

DRL were required in Canada so Chrysler decided to prewire all their XJ's in our year group for DRL. There are a few prewired circuits in the XJ.

 

Back when your Heep was built it was a California Emissions requirement. You don't need it.

While I have my engine out I cut that huge tube off down to under the left side by the frame rail and put a piece of 5/8" ID water hose on it and ran the stub up to near the brake proportioning valve. Mine had a cap so I put it bck on.

I have a pic somewhere of that area on my Heep that shows it.

 

What's those red and yellow wires (?) in the pic? Previous owners of XJ's loved to mod their Heeps and run wires in the open everywhere. Check those out and secure them before you're back on the forum crying "Help". LOL

 

On the valve cover there are two ports that seem to be chipped badly... Should I try to replace them, or is this simply a cosmetic issue?

 

No idea lol. Thanks for the advise on checking them out. For some reason those didn't just "stick out" to me :P

 

Take a photo of the air filter box (if there is one).

Those are essential Crank Case Ventilation system fittings. O'reilly has them. They're made by Dorman. For some reason they call the rear one a PCV valve. You'll need new gommets as well.

The rear fitting is called a Fixed Orifice fitting. It has a .060" orifice in it to meter the air being sucked out of the valve cover area and into the intake manifold. The front fitting is not metered and is the source of air that is sucked accross the crankcase in the valve cover area.

The reason I asked for a photo of the air filter box is that breather on the front of the valve cover should go away and the proper connection made to the air filter box.

 

Here's a pic. There's a plugged hole pointing kind of down and towards the engine. I was able to spin it so it's facing the the engine now. I know the thing runs rich, are these both vacuum leaks?

 

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...14982|L3*15301

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...14982|L3*15301

Those would take care of the back I believe. Would it be the same grommet for the front, and what is that un-metered elbow at the front called?

 

I think the grommets are the same. I believe the rear one is called the "pcv valve", and the front is called the "pcv elbow". Look like inexpensive fixes, other than figuring out the best way to get the front over to the air intake