help please
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: sutherlin Or
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
hi my xj started runing really sh**y so i fixed the egr valve, new knock senser, fixed vacume leaks, adjusted tps, checked spark plugs, new cap and plug wires 2 months ago and i cant figure it out so any help whould be great!!!!! it is runing really rough at idle
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I agree. Verifying proper fuel delivery should be done early in the troubleshooting process.
You will need a fuel pressure gauge; no shortcuts.
At an idle, you should have 31 psi. Then disconnect the vacuum line leading to the fuel pressure regulator (be sure the line is pulling good vacuum and is NOT wet with fuel), and after disconnecting that line, the pressure should jump to approx. 39 psi.
A compression test is a good "snapshot in time" of the internal condition of your engine and is never a bad idea. For the 4.0, you should have 120-150 psi, with no more than a 30 psi variation between cylinders.
Here is a link to testing other things on your RENIX (1990) XJ. Good Luck!
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...iagnostics.htm
You will need a fuel pressure gauge; no shortcuts.
At an idle, you should have 31 psi. Then disconnect the vacuum line leading to the fuel pressure regulator (be sure the line is pulling good vacuum and is NOT wet with fuel), and after disconnecting that line, the pressure should jump to approx. 39 psi.
A compression test is a good "snapshot in time" of the internal condition of your engine and is never a bad idea. For the 4.0, you should have 120-150 psi, with no more than a 30 psi variation between cylinders.
Here is a link to testing other things on your RENIX (1990) XJ. Good Luck!
http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...iagnostics.htm
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: sutherlin Or
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
i had found 2 fuel injectors that wear leaking i cleand them up reinstaled them with new o-rings and still no change.i dont have the tools to check fuel presure yet also i did replace fuel filter and pump not that long ago. can you take the o2 sensor out and clean it with out hurting it?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: sutherlin Or
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
i just did another compresion test and now no comperesion on the #3 and 90lbs on #1. what the hell
i am really hoping its the valves!!!!!!!!!!!
i am really hoping its the valves!!!!!!!!!!!
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did you try performing a WET compression test (adding a small amount of oil to the cylinder) after the DRY compression test?
That can help you isolate whether this is lower end or top end problem.
That can help you isolate whether this is lower end or top end problem.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: sutherlin Or
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
yea i did!!!!pulled the head and i can see through the exhaust valve in the #3 side and a lot of carbon build up on the #1! no damage to the cylanders they look great!!
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
also check intake/exhaut manifold mounting bolts very comon problem the get loose over time/ dasket shrinking oi guess i had a slight stumble in mine found these loose sat snug them up problem solved the very back ones by the fire wall were loose sprayed sarb cleaner along mounting area to find leak
CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0


