My 98 classic 4.0 is giving me trouble. when im accelerating it will sort of sputter out then come back to life. It doesnt happen all the time but several times today has me worried. I also feel like it doesnt have the power it used to a few months ago. Anybody have any ideas??!?

 

Have you checked the fuel pressure?

 

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no i havent checked the fuel pressure, how do you do that?

 

Push on the valve on the fuel rail that looks like a tire valve. While the key is on and see if there is fuel coming out

 

Nope! This will only tell you if there is some fuel in the system and wont tell you if that is your problem. What you need to do is go to any parts store and barrow a mechanical fuel pressure gauge and get the actual fuel pressure.

 

X2. Several things to consider. Could be fuel pressure (pump or filter), could be the first signs of a failing Crank Position Sensor (CPS), could be a vacuum leak, a bad plug wire, or fouled plugs. Those are the things I would start with, anyway. Mechanical fuel pressure gauges can be borrowed from most auto parts chain stores, they screw into the Schrader valve on your fuel rail... should be ~50 PSI at idle on your '98.

 

Thats one way i didnt say thats the only way. Plus someone that doesnt know how to check fuel pressure isnt gaining anything if they have a guage if they dont know what there looking at.

 

This is definitely a way to check to see if fuel is getting to the rail but it's not a way to check pressure. How would you know if it's 10 PSI or 50 PSI? He's obviously getting fuel, it runs. The only way to check fuel pressure is with a fuel pressure gauge.

 

alright guys, on my way to work this am. the jeep was sputtering and having a hell of a time getting past 40 but once its past 50-55 its fine.(although it still has around 25% power loss) So i checked the fuel pressure and thats all good. i also checked the cap rotor plugs and wires and everything checks out....what now?