My problematic 2.8L V6 is not running again. It was doing great, now it sounds like its missing badly and has no power. As soon as I let out the clutch it dogs down and dies. I changed the plugs / plug wires / distributor cap / rotor. Runs better / cleaner sounding now and my lights are brighter but it still sounds like its missing.

What can I do / change / check? Compression? Timing belt? Bad coil?
I'm not a mechanic but I can do most things. Advice would be much appreciated.

Sorry I posted this a few days ago but I said way too much and didnt get but 1 reply.

 

When was the last time you had your carburator rebuit it might be time to have it done.

 

When were the air and fuel filters changed last? Could the EGR valve be stuck open? That would cause running issues you describe. JMO

 

Dude! Quit polishing a turd. Save your coin for 3.8L swap....seriously.

 

Carb was rebuilt about 3 months ago. It was doing a similar thing then, just didn't sound like it was missing as bad. Air filter changed a few weeks ago to K&N. Fuel filter was probably about 9 months ago, I have an added inline one, just a little $5 thing that I changed about a month ago before I came back down to college (11 hr drive). I'll check the EGR valve today.
The wierd thing is that the "missing" is really regular. It stays evenly paced with the RPM's, not just missing sporadically.

I wish I could quit polishing a turd, and I will stop once it's running. But this turd is the only engine I've got right now, and this is my only car. An engine swap has been steadily moving up my to do list on this car, and each problem moves it further up.

thanks for the feedback. I wish I could describe the sound better. The best I can say is like a "gap" in the engine sound. I wish I was more knowledgeable.

 

Record it dude, put it up on youtube, then embed the video on this thread...

 

Frank, I like your way of cutting through the fat and getting to the meat of the issue. I like your solution to the problem also. It makes much more sense than keeping the lethargic 2.8L in there.

 

Trust me, I understand being on a tight budget, but if it were me, I'd get it running as good as you can, and sell it ASAP. Put the money towards one with a 4.0 in it, and they can be had really cheap. My buddy picked one up for $400.00, and I've heard of them going for less!! I checked out your specs, and you only have a 2" BB on it, so you wouldn't miss that much, and the 4.0 would give you the warm and fuzzy feeling that you are searching for. I know that it is not what you want to hear, but it is really your best option, IMHO. Frank makes a good point, but you could pick up a 4.0 XJ for less than a 3.8 swap I would imagine. Sorry, but this is your best option in my mind...

 

One more thing...when you noticed the miss, had you done anything out of the ordinary with it, or noticed any temp increases or anything weird?? I'm wondering if you burnt a valve, or lost a lobe on the cam. Both of these things will cause a steady miss. HTH!!

 

Try doing a compression check. That should show a weak cylinder.

 

ok, i'll run a compression check and check the EGR valve today soon.

Stupid thing. I wish it wasnt so cool. Maybe If I look really hard and use the money from selling this HEEP, I could get into a beat 4.0L by this summer. It's gonna be tough to find a 2 door though. I still have the old tires, all but one of which were ok. I could pull off my wheels and tires and put on some really crappy junk yard wheels with the old tires under there, that way I could save my tires. Other than the money to get it running those have been my only big expense. And they're still brand new.
So is there anyone in cali with a jeep thats just sitting around collecting dust and needs love?
JK, I have a crapton of money to save.
Does anyone know if they made 2 doors through 2001? I just like the looks.
Thanks

Kyle

 

Sorry to say you may have to get a four door. They are FAR easier to find, and cheaper, so it's up to you. IDK when they stopped making the 2 door, but it was before Y2K.

 

To COS; I went wheelin in it just before this happened so I assume they are related. Thing is it performed great. I spent a lot of time in 4lo climing and descending really steep stuff, but it ran great the whole time I was there. As I said, the back 2 plugs on the passenger side were supposedly symptomatic of too hot. I don't know if that means I burnt a valve...the temp was normal the whole time. Could barely cook old pizza on the thing

 

A comp test should help you...

 

Yah I kinda figured. I'll just go the traditional route and MOD THE CRAP OUT OF IT to make it my own. The 2 door has character and was kinda unique, but the 4 doors are all whatcha make em! (time for trimmed fenders, snorkel, roof rack, and everything else under the sun)
Oh well, I'll just start watchin craigslist carefully / lookin around.
Thanks again