Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Does the idle and oil pressure appear normal on my XJ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-01-2010, 04:15 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
auburn4193's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default Does the idle and oil pressure appear normal on my XJ?

I just changed the plugs yesterday and I think they were the factory originals, I replaced them with o/e champions. They had very bad carbon buildup and a huge gap. After I noticed no signifigant difference between before and after. I attached three pictures. Two of the xj at idle and oil pressure reading at idle and the third is the old plugs. Should I do a seafoam ritual on the XJ because I'm betting there is a lot more carbon buildup in the engine? I couldn't upload the files but here is a photobucket link: http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/IMAG0019.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/IMAG0020.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/IMAG0022.jpg

I appreciate everyone's input. I used to drive a Jeep Patriot and was a member of jeeppatriot.com forum and the cherokee forum is much better!
Old 02-01-2010, 05:02 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
That Jeep Guy XJMJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 2,128
Received 287 Likes on 237 Posts
Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Default

I'll leave the idle question for someone else.. but if your in park or neutral and your oil pressure is at that point.. then your fine not much to worry about.... and x2 on the over gapped spark plug... dumb question but have to ask.... did you regap the new spark plugs after you bought them... and before you installed them?
Old 02-01-2010, 05:03 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
98 JeepJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Stafford,VA
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

tach,Oil pressure,coolant temp all look good....you can try seafoam in the fuel...however keep it out of the oil.
Old 02-01-2010, 05:10 PM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
auburn4193's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Yes I made sure to gap them to .035
Old 02-01-2010, 05:17 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Skreed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.ol renix
Default

My experience is that oil press is around 20 to 30 at start up 30 to 40 at idle after warmed and 40 to 60 cruising.

As for the plugs they look fairly normal for a really old plug. I think the oem's come gapped at .035.

Seafoam is good stuff smoothed out my idle, try it.
Old 02-01-2010, 07:23 PM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
auburn4193's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

What method did you use for seafoam?
Old 02-01-2010, 09:10 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Skreed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Phillipsburg, NJ
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.ol renix
Default

Pull the brake booster hose and suck it up thru there...also put it in your gas tank. I don't like to use it my oil. It could break up some of the gunk in your crank case and start blocking things up.
Old 02-01-2010, 09:44 PM
  #8  
Member
 
93xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: jackson, MI
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L (242 CID
Default

Originally Posted by Skreed
Pull the brake booster hose and suck it up thru there...also put it in your gas tank. I don't like to use it my oil. It could break up some of the gunk in your crank case and start blocking things up.
u run seafoam in ur break booster?
Old 02-01-2010, 09:48 PM
  #9  
Seasoned Member
 
dougy_fresh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Benton, KY
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.8
Default

you pull the hose of the booster, stick it in the seafoam can, and start the engine.

it sucks the seafoam up like a straw and it gets run through the intake tract and combustion chambers. you can do it in any vacuum line, but the BB seems most common
Old 02-01-2010, 09:52 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
98 JeepJeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Stafford,VA
Posts: 2,543
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by dougy_fresh
you pull the hose of the booster, stick it in the seafoam can, and start the engine.

it sucks the seafoam up like a straw and it gets run through the intake tract and combustion chambers. you can do it in any vacuum line, but the BB seems most common
you are NOT! supose to stick it in the can and let the BB vacuum hose suck it all up in one shot. This will cause the motor to stall and could even Hydro-lock it...it is supose to be slowly introduced into the system this way it is more evenly spread and has longer to work....some people make a fancy drip canister to mix it in...however you could use a small funnel to stick into the 3/8 vacuum hose and simply put a few drops in at a time over the course of 10-15 mins...

Last edited by 98 JeepJeep; 02-01-2010 at 09:55 PM.
Old 02-01-2010, 10:08 PM
  #11  
Member
 
A_Jeepr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

....just keep the hose at the end of the opening on the seafoam can, and have a friend keep it from stalling, ie reving it, for about 15-20 seconds, then turn it off, let sit for 5 minutes start it up again, reving it and watching which way the winds blowing the cloud of smoke....com'on, i have done tons of them, simple simple simple.

My oil pressure is 50 at start-up, and 60 at 55 MPH cruise. I run Rotella diesel oil so that makes a difference.

Never use engine flush or anything, like that, if you want to clean the inside of your engine take the pan off and take a few hours with a tooth brush and some brake-cleen. You do less harm than "flushing it" because you aren't letting grit thats cought in the sludge (BTW ALL ENGINES HAVE SLUDGE) get back into the oiling system.
Old 02-01-2010, 10:11 PM
  #12  
Member
 
93xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: jackson, MI
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L (242 CID
Default

lol i think that if my motor needs seafoam i would most likely just rebuild it lol
Old 02-02-2010, 11:52 AM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
btam13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Your idle and oil pressure look good. Your oil pressure is actually very good for at idle and up to temp.
Old 02-02-2010, 11:58 AM
  #14  
Junior Member
 
bain98xj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Howell MI
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

my oil pressure is like 20-30 when warmed up and when driving it goes up to 40-50 is that right or do i need to start checking stuff out?
Old 02-02-2010, 12:15 PM
  #15  
Junior Member
 
btam13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

20 to 30 psi at warm idle and 40 to 50 psi at speed is really good. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the FSMs state that at least 13 psi at warm idle is acceptable.


Quick Reply: Does the idle and oil pressure appear normal on my XJ?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:32 AM.