Fuel Injector Leak Maybe?????
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Year: 97 SE
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I just swapped in 703 injectors, didn't reset PCM yet because the bolt is rusted onto the terminal on my positive side, I will do that tomorrow or next day because its 1AM.
Lemme get to the point, when I first started her up she wasn't leaking anywhere, drove her up and down the street, she was leaking fuel, rechecked the fuel injectors + fuel line, saw no fuel leaks...Drove a 2nd time and looks like I am not leaking, what could cause this? Idles a little rough atm, takes a second to start up.
Another note is, I couldn't disconnect the fuel line, so when I removed injector 6 then 1, fuel leaked all over my manifold, I am thinking possibly it was that fuel just dripping off from sitting on my intake manifold then sloshing its way down the engine bay after i started driving. Because I couldn't took the fuel rail out of the engine bay.
No check engine light and it seems to drive pretty smooth, not a bad idle. Once fully heat up.
Lemme get to the point, when I first started her up she wasn't leaking anywhere, drove her up and down the street, she was leaking fuel, rechecked the fuel injectors + fuel line, saw no fuel leaks...Drove a 2nd time and looks like I am not leaking, what could cause this? Idles a little rough atm, takes a second to start up.
Another note is, I couldn't disconnect the fuel line, so when I removed injector 6 then 1, fuel leaked all over my manifold, I am thinking possibly it was that fuel just dripping off from sitting on my intake manifold then sloshing its way down the engine bay after i started driving. Because I couldn't took the fuel rail out of the engine bay.
No check engine light and it seems to drive pretty smooth, not a bad idle. Once fully heat up.
Last edited by jaydubz; Jun 15, 2016 at 02:18 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 638
Likes: 16
From: Midwest
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
You only need to disconnect one terminal of the battery to reset the pcm. If you haven't seen more fuel then your theory is likely correct. It's also entirely possible that fuel got spilled into the intake and a flooded out condition was causing your hard start. Reset the pcm and verify everything is still dry, you should be fine
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 539
Likes: 4
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did you make sure you got the old o rings out of the intake and fuel rail and clean both surfaces good?
Also Vaseline on the new o rings before you install.
Also Vaseline on the new o rings before you install.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Year: 97 SE
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I had a leak the first time I drove it, but the 2nd time I haven't had a leak. Now sometimes I find a tiny puddle under my car but it looks more like brake fluid or oil. I was just wondering why it would leak first time I drove all over then next time it didn't leak. Literally oozing out, leaving tons of drops on the road as I drove. I was wondering if it took time for the o-rings to seal or the PCM had to learn how much fuel to be sending, maybe it was sending too much fuel the 1st time.
Yes I popped all the old o rings out and put vaseline on new ones before I put in the 703's, also use dieletric grease.
Yes I popped all the old o rings out and put vaseline on new ones before I put in the 703's, also use dieletric grease.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Use brake cleaner and blast the area around the injectors clean. Gas evaporates pretty fast but will leave a stain. Sounds like the first time you drove it you had a mess from just cracking the fuel system without relieving pressure through the Schraeder valve.
The PCM doesn't "send" fuel like you're thinking, the only variables are how long the fuel injectors are open for and the vacuum fuel pressure regulator.
O-rings should seal instantly - if they aren't sealing you ripped them or there's crap in the way. I soak mine in light engine oil to get them nice and pliable.
The PCM doesn't "send" fuel like you're thinking, the only variables are how long the fuel injectors are open for and the vacuum fuel pressure regulator.
O-rings should seal instantly - if they aren't sealing you ripped them or there's crap in the way. I soak mine in light engine oil to get them nice and pliable.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 638
Likes: 16
From: Midwest
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Puddles under your car are never good. Especially when it has the potential to prevent you from braking, or ignite your car on fire. It's possible that you pinched an o ring on the way in especially if you weren't able to push them straight in because of not being able to disconnect the fuel line.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 78
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From: Chicago
Year: 97 SE
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Haha, ya I smelled it and it didn't smell like gas at all. I think its oil or brake fluid, I was just curious on why I was just dumping fuel out when I first drove her around after swapping the 703's in, then it stopped. Its not really a puddle, its like 3-4 drops of some fluid, if I had to be honest I think its brake fluid, shes topped off though. Thanks for the help, I know I probably sounded pretty stupid, I am new to working on cars, first one I have ever work on.
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 560
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From: U.P. MI
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
You didn't sound stupid at all.
Stupid would have been not asking any questions and just letting the issue exist until something catastrophic happened.
Have a great weekend!
Stupid would have been not asking any questions and just letting the issue exist until something catastrophic happened.
Have a great weekend!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Year: 97 SE
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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