Just got my first jeep. - Experts weigh in -HELP
 

Well I just got my first jeep!

Its a 1998 Cherokee Sport. Automatic, 4X4, 6 cyl. 116k on the odometer I paid 1500 bucks for the jeep. I think I got a good deal dispite the problems (see below)

The Good: recently painted, zero rust, 3'' Rustys lift kit, 31'' Tires, brand new wheel bearings.

The bad: Broken front drive shaft, Misfire code (P0302), front and rear windshield pumps are out, cracked windshield. Interior carpet is gone, and interior definitely needs some TLC.

The broken drive shaft is no big deal, especially since I'm getting a used one tomorrow for 75 bucks. The owner before me thought it was a drive shaft u joint problem and bought all new u joints to find out it was the velocity joint. I am going to be mating the new u joints with the used shaft tomorrow evening.

Well I wanted to get the misfire problems taken care of asap, so I replaced the plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I was going to replace the distributor as well but advance auto parts gave me the wrong one. Lovely. I still have the problem so I'm going to exchange the distributor tomorrow. The jeep does not feel or sound like it has a miss so it might be an intermittant thing. Nothing like when I have seen other vehicles with a miss. Any ideas?

I replaced the front windshield washer fluid pump today, so I guess the back will be the next project. I just figured the front was more important than the back

Future plans: Water pump, water inlet, timing chain (with guide, and gaskets, distributor (maybe), accel coil, fuel filter, belt, air intake, bored tb., full drive train service, Carpet, and seats, differential covers, full spare, tow hooks, straps, fire extinguisher.

Anyone have any thoughts on my cel, and other suggestions on parts to upgrade or replace?

thanks

sounds like you're on the right rack already. you could poor money in it for years and never be done. it all depends on how radical or conservative you want to go. take care of the nessasary things first like you are. check the brakes and change all the fluids and flush the cooling system.

Luckily it has a brand new radiator as well. The coolant will get flushed when I get the water pump installed this week.

i think i had that code in my other 2 cars but i think that might be a 02 sensor but i could be wrong take it 2 advance or autozone and ask them 2 check it

As far as the Misfire Code goes...

You could just have a sticky valve. i would try SeaFoam to correct the problem, before replacing parts.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/

that's what i would do!
;)


It could very well be a simple ignition problem or a gummed-up O2 Sensor?

Yeah I love seafoam. I'm definitely going to seafoam the motor inside the crank case, and oil. Additionally I'll put some in the gas as well.

Also forgot to mention, the fuel filter, thermostat, and serpentine belt will all be getting replaced as well. (I'm anal about car maintenance)

pulled my friends jeep out of storage and it was running really ruff, so we seafoamed it and put in some octan booster in it. it sounded like ww3 for like five minutes with the backfiring and such but after that ran fine and still is:rockon:

Kamongg,

You did reset the computer after doing the tune up right? It could be an old code stored in memory. If it is not rough you are probably not currently misfiring.

Do you keep resetting the computer and the check engine light keeps coming on?

Your code PO302 is a misfire in cylinder #2. So concentrate on that cylinder first. Check the plug and plug wire first switching them out use a backup or best to just buy new one to test cylinder #2.

Next if that doesn't stop it check out the fuel injector on cylder #2, or try one of the products above first.



Some Tips for your new Jeep:

Change your oil often 3,000-3,500.

Buy a new gas cap if the gas cap is not sealed your check engine light will come on. You need to put in on and click it 2 to 3 times to seal the pressurized fuel system.

Use lithium spray grease and grease the hatch on the rear liftgate before it seizes up. Grease only the hatch on the bottom of the door not the keyhole or the latch above the bumber.

Clean the Neutral Safety Switch interior contacts (lots of posts on this).

When you do your water pump order a Water Pump inlet tube (bypass hose) a metal part that does not come with your water pump $10.00 online. google Part # 53007978. Of course replace both main hoses, both heater hoses and get a new belt and thermostat.

Exhaust Manifold likely needs replacement when you smell exhaust.

Lastly repair only what needs to be repaired or you will get deep into your Jeep.

Thanks for the weighing in.

I'll just give an update on todays adventure. I went to daveys jeeps near my house, and picked up a driveshaft and all the bolts for 75 bucks. I threw it in, and the 4wd works great! I intentionally got stuck in 2wd, and used 4wd to get me unstuck in the snow. Nothing major just enough to make sure it was working. Awesome stuff there.

I did not reset the computer but I have a scanner and I read and cleared the code. Should I still reset the computer? Do I just disconnect the battery? The plugs and wires are new on all cyl. In addition to the cap and rotor, I doubt its a problem with the plug or wire. I was throwing the same code prior to these parts going in. So I'm banking on it being the distributor.

I am changing the oil tomorrow. As always with all of my vehicles, add some lucas oil stabilizer to my oil. I am also adding lucas injector cleaner to the tank tomorrow when I fill up as well.

Tomorrow when I change my oil, I'll clean up the NSS connectors.

Additionally I will be picking up a new fuel filter tomorrow and throwing that in as well.

I love doing preventive maintenance.

I forgot to mention, that I did buy a new water inlet tube, belt, and thermostat. I did not buy new hoses though. I was thinking about it though.

or since u dont feel a misfire anymore... you already fixed it and just havent erased the code... u know it wont just go away right?

I erased the code. It came back. I'm going to reset the ecu tomorrow for kicks when I do my oil change.

hhmm... check your injectors wires too... read some people having issues with them frying and causing a misfire code...

Well I changed my oil today, worked on the interior and inspected the engine bay more. Turns out that I may have to replace the valve cover gasket, and flush the coolant.

The valve cover is or was leaking a small amount of oil new the rear of the car. The previous owner was using 5w20 oil. I was wondering why my pressure was beginning to drop off. When the jeep was warming up it was around 40, then it would continue to drop off to almost 10. Now it stays 40-50 when driving and around 30 at idle. I used 5 qts 10w30 with 1 qt lucas oil stabilizer. The motor just sounds way different now at idle.

The previous owner said that radiator was brand new and I believed him (very clean with no bugs or bent fins). However, I don't think that he flushed the system too well when changing it because it does have some sluge built up in the radiator. I'm going to flush it well when I change the water pump next week.

I ordered a new ignition coil as well. An accel. Its on its way from summit so that will probably go in next week sometime.

I am debating on weather to just herculine the floor or just get carpet for it. Anyone have any suggestions on that? Herculiner kit approx 90 bucks, full carpet 230. Carpet is quieter, and warmer. Herculiner, easier clean up and cheaper.

:worthless:

What do you want to see pics of?

Seriously, can't beleive I read all that and still no pic, as for my .02 cents I think you might be a little toooo anal, I think you should start concentrating on the important things first

How can you be toooo anal when it comes to maintaining your vehicle?

What are these important things that I should be focusing on first?

Another update: I went to get an alignment today and turns out that I have a bad trac rod. So I'll be picking one of those up on tuesday. 35 bucks from daveys jeep. Then I'll be taking it back to get aligned again.

More pics to follow.

I think that I may have a problem with my neutral safety switch as well. I do not have reverse lights. No code for the transmission though. I'm going to do some more investigating tomorrow.

search cleaning the NSS...

I dropped my jeep at the exhaust shop today. The previous owner just threw a dual inlet flowmaster muffler on and plugged up the extra hole and hacked up the tail pipe. It was rotting away and leaking like hell. So I'll be picking it back up tomorrow with a new muffler and tailpipe. Should be good to go after that.

auto trans flush?? new headlight wiring harness??

Yeah I intend to do a full tranny service to include transfer case. I'm going to clean the nss as well. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Can anyone guide me on figuring out which type of pumpkins I have? I want to get differential covers and do fluid changes but I can't figure out which ones I have. I tried searching but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/...pe.jpg%3C/a%3E
http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/diffguardtype.jpg
Take a look and compare covers.

Looks good, I have always wanted a white one

Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate the help. I have wanted a white vehicle for a long time. Luckily the PO had it painted a few months ago. By the looks of it, its about the only thing they did right. Routine maintanence was not part of this guys agenda.

I know the feeling. My xj was very poorly maintained, been wrenching on it almost daily for the past month and a half. All small stuff, but it adds up. Just popped the main seal yesterday...so now I've got the next project lined up :)

sick thread...

^ Thanks.

I can't wait to get the new track bar in. I'm going to buy a stocker from a jeep store near me. 35 bucks. That should do the trick. I'm starting to experience the "death wobble" I believe. Its not quite death at the moment but I have quite a bit of vibration above 65. I suppose I'll just take it one thing at a time.

By this weekend: get jeep from exhaust shop, get track bar, install track bar, install accel coil, get an alignment, get rubber stoppers to limit the amount of vibration abount interior pieces, make folder with all receipts and maintanence logs. I may take it one step futher if I have time: get transfer case, and tranny serviced.

sounds like you are on the right track please post what you problem is with the reverse lights mine don't work either didn't work when i bought it and haven't had time to track down the prob

Well I'm going to start with checking the reverse light bulbs to make sure they are still good. Then to the NSS and go from there. I am going to clean the nss but if that doesn't work, I'm going to do a tranny flush/filter change, band adjustment. If that doesn't work, i'm going to replace the NSS. I got one brand new for 50 bucks. Ebay rocks.

why didn't you go with the accel ignition package? Plugs, Wires and cap?.. Just curious, I wanted to but had credit to NAPA so I just went with the champs, I have a lumpy but stable idle (no CEL's)... looking to sort it out.

Im gonna try cleaning the nss. The tranny was just serviced (fluids filter) if that does not fix it then i will replace it. My wife is an eBay addict so i might check there for a new one if cleaning it doesn't work

I got the jeep back from the exhaust shop today, and they gutted the cat, and put a new muffler and tail pipe. Sounds a lot quieter and better imo.

I had to do the spark plug non-fouler trick to get rid of the cel for being catless. If anyone wants more info on that just pm me and i'll gladly provide that to you.

Well I installed the accel coil tonight. The damn connector for it didnt fit correctly so i'm going to call summit and accel tomorrow to see what I can come up with.

I seafoamed the motor via intake mani, put some in the crank case, and gas tank.

In the end I still have a miss and i'm looking into other solutions to track that down. First thing is first, i'm going to figure out what the hell is up with this accel coil.

I also ordered an ez adjustable track bar (iron man 4x4 fab) , and bought a new front stabilizer (rancho 5000). Hopefully those will be going in this weekend.

Well I spoke to summit and they are sending me a replacement coil and harness in the mail. Should be here tomorrow. Thats definitely good news. I pulled the number 2 plug and it looks almost brand new. As in right out of the box. So I'm thinking that maybe its a dead plug. I'm going to clean up one of the old plugs I had in it to see if that makes a difference. I'll keep you posted.

The old plugs were way too gone to try throwing one of those in. So tomorrow I'm going to install my new accel coil (summit is going to warrenty the parts) and do a compression test. i'll keep you posted to the numbers of the test. While

I thought that it might be a head problem but i'm almost ruling that out due to a few simple facts: I'm not burning oil, i dont have oil in my coolant, it operates in good temp, good oil pressure, the plug looked clean.

If the compression test numbers come back bad, i'm going to do a leak down test. I'm also going to check and make sure I have spark on that cyl. That would be a smart thing to do before I do anything else. If no spark, its got to be the distributor (i installed new plugs, wires, cap and rotor).

http://www.msprotege.com/members/kamon8404/jeep 2.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/kamon8404/jeep 3.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/kam...eep engine.jpg

Well I did the compression test last night and everything seemed to check out alright. I hope that its not my gauge just reading high. So now i'm leaning toward an injector problem now. I'm going to check the fuel pressure tonight to see if that digs anything up. Then I'm going to see if I can get my scanner to see injector duty cycle per cyl to see if that can tell anymore of the story.

I ran 2 cans of mopar combustion chamber fluid through the motor. It certainly calmed down its rough idle. The misfire is no where near as pronounced if even there at all. I cleared the codes and we will see how shes running tomorrow.