There's not enough clearance to do that on the earlier Jeeps. If the engine moves just a bit, the filter gets creamed by the mount.

 

X2 please let me know cuz I can't get my socket in there either. How they heck did anybody else do it???

 

I've got to do this for 2 friends with 99 XJs. I was thinking of just getting the bit without a socket on it and fabbing something up from that, like welding a wrench to it.

 

Got it, NO MORE OIL LEAKS!!! haha its nice

 

This is what worked for me, really a pain. I had to do it from underneath

 

And the crowd cheers Well done! Now the next thing.

(yea, there was one other thing that's a little harder that it sounds, I forget what it was)

 

Yep lol next im gonna tackle my rough idle, gonna start readin up on it. Its gettin worse and worse......

 

Congratulations!!

Have you cleaned the throttle body and IAC yet? Checked to make sure your intake manifold fasteners are snug?

 

I havent done anything yet but i have an exaust manifold crack.....can that cause it?

 

No, or at least very unlikely not. When was the last time the engine had a tune-up? New plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor button, and an oxygen senser can really clean up idle and running issues. Plus, try running a fuel system cleaner like Lucas oil's Deep fuel system cleaner.

 

That^^ with a throttle body clean first since it's new to you. Basics have to be done first.

 

I have new plugs and wires but thats all

 

Take a look at the cap and rotor.

Have you checked your intake manifold bolts?

You're gonna have to do some stuff here to make sure what it ISN'T and it's all basic maintenance and cheap to do.

What brand of spark plugs did you use?

 

Autolite platinum i think

 

Just in case you are looking for something to do;
That rear manifold bolt has a habit of loosening. On anything like that you NEVER want to tighten only one. It can warp/bend, even crack things. If I found that any that where easy to reach where loose, I'd pull the air cleaner and tighten them all, starting in the middle and working out towards the ends. I'd go over three times, a tad tighter each time. I have a pretty good feel for torque/tightness, and it's a bear of a spot to get a torque wrench on them all. Just don't ape on it. If its firm and not turning, no point in going on to break it, a REAL *****. The rearmost bolt underneath takes a little doing, but it can be done with the right extension(s?). For that very back one by the firewall I use way long extensions (18"), with a swivel at the socket. The E-fan comes out in a snap with only the two little top cap screws, I forget if that helps or not. Anyway, that's a good thing to check on any old Jeep.
(Check your motor mount while the air cleaner is off)