So this thread is a long time coming as this issue has been around for a while. Sometimes when I start my jeep it will spit, sputter and idle like crap. The way I got rid of it was by shutting it off and restarting it. Sometimes twice. Most everything under the hood has been replaced from a tuneup to the head gasket to sensors and your bolt ons yet the problem still exists.

I have had the timing adjusted once before and the guy told me it was 11 degrees off but that was a couple years ago. I also had the cam sensor replaced. I'm now wondering if it could it be the timing chain as I've read that they can stretch out.

Thoughts?
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Oh I forgot to mention this new issue that's only a couple days old; as I'm driving it suddenly losses power, I then hear the belt squeal and then it jumps back to normal. It does it about 5-6 times during a 10 minute drive but never at idle.

 

Let's start with the simplest two things. Top dead center on your first cylinder and check the timing. After that before you even do anything check your grounds and you may even go as far as doing a voltage drop on the grounds to the distributor and coil pack. As Cruiser would say do not look at them, take them off and check the bolts aren't rusted or the surface it's grounding to isn't rusted. CHECK YER GROUNDS FELLER LOL

 

I have upgraded 1/0 GA grounds throuout so I assure you that a ground wire is not the problem.

I probably should of posted a simple question and asked if my timing chain is to blame?

 

Not every ground wire is included in the 1/0 GA upgrade. Check your FSM you'll see. If you are confident it's the timing, like I said start with that first. If you need to check your chain take off the cover and use your FSM to confirm everything is correct. No one on here has X-ray vision and it is surprisingly hard to just magically know what is wrong with something without hearing it, feeling it, and seeing it. So really your hunch unless you are very new to mechanics is probably right on the mark of what it is.

 

First....timing chains rarely "slip" and when they do they dont go back so it would run bad all the time. A crank sensor going bad will give intermittent timing and run poorly...thats the one bolted to bellhousing..do you have an obd2 scanner? What is your manifold pressure when not running and at idle..what is your ignition advance at idle..have you removed and cleaned your idle air cone and seat lately...disconnect the front o2 sensor...does it smooth out...where in NY are you...im on LI

 

Yes I have an OBD2 and I'll get the readings after work tonight.

I live in VA now.

 

Ignition on and engine off..

Sitting at idle..

 

These are both at idle and the timing advance was bouncing between 8 and 17 deg.

 

- I'm still learning how to use and interpret the data from this OBD2.
​​​​​​- I have 3 Mopar sensors on the way. The IAC, TPS, and an air charge temp sensor.
- If I have to then I'll replace the MAP and crank position sensors just to get rid of the aftermarket junk!
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Your throttle position is way off...pegged full actually...its730am i will get my readings back on here by noon

 

Yes the TPS is bad and I'm waiting for one in the mail.
Remember though, this problem where I start it and it runs rough then restart it and it's running fine has been going on for a long time. The TPS just went bad 6 weeks ago.

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Do you know what your coolant temp is when the jeep is cold, like in the morning..it should closely match the iat..The hotter it is, the leaner the mix. If thats incorrect then it might overly lean out making tough to start. If it starts good on the 2nd or third attempt you may have a fuel pump or check valve problem where it takes a while to prime. What is your fuel pressure at start and while running . At highway speeds my ign advance runs in the mid 30's. As far as I know spark timing is set by the crank sensor in the bellhousing and cam timing sets injector stuff. Supposedly none of that is directly controlled by you even if you misalign something. Is yours an original motor The flexplates might be incompatible if ever changed.. sorry my data collection methods aren't as cool as yours

 

A squealing belt is bad...something is locking up or the belt is loose..When it squeals what is your voltage...is your ac pulley spinning freely when not engaged mine locked up a while back At idle is your fan pulley spinning at full speed go under the hood and give it some gas you can tell if the fan pulley squeals and then catches and speeds up

 

Fortunately this symptom came and went. Already checked all that so I'll just keep an eye on the voltage if it comes back.