So here's the story.....

I had some problems with my 96 Jeep XJ sports (4.0 I6, manual, 2 door) and took it to a location mechanic who's been servicing it before. I has a bad Clutch so I took it to them and they replace it, just not sure they did a good job as the main mechanic was out and a shady individual seem to have worked on it breaking some plastic and not putting things back the way they should have been.
Anyway I got some error code a few days later and ended taking it back. The main mech say he found the injectors seal seem to be leaking and he replace them. Seem to be working so so and one morning I was leaving my home and it just died, everything when off, no power.

I try and replace the spark plugs, cables, rotor and cap plus sensors, changed 2 other sensors and still nothing. Had it toll to the same mechanic and he said he found that the compression was real low on 2 cylinders and said it seem I might need a new engine. Got a new engine and after weeks of trying to get it to work and changing different part, just about all the sensors (including a used computer) it's still won't start.
He's replace many engine, a few for my brother in-law, but he just can't figure my jeep out and has reached his end.

I need to find some one in the Bay Area (CA) who knows Jeeps and their ins and outs and little issues to get it working again. I put in to much money now to just give up and its hard for me to believe that replacing almost everything and the thing still does not work.

I basically upgraded the suspension, shocks, springs, 3.5 lift, SYE, Dana 35 to a 44, injectors and a few other things. It was running ok but seem it may be better off with a long arm upgrade then the short arm lift I had installed and was thinking about getting that done. Up to the point the clutch needed to be replace it was going good, maybe not perfect but good.

It has an old security alarm that has been disconnected, just not sure how fully.

I need to know if anyone got any idea what may be the issue.

2 months without my jeep, I need this working again, I would appreciate any help and any response.

Please please please.... Help... one of the worse things to hear is a mechanic say "I don't know whats wrong, I give up"
Any ideas?


Ed

 

What sensors did you replace and what do u mean by "won't start". Does it crank and not start. Does it not crank at all. Does it start and die immediately? Etc

 

by any chance did someone test fuel pressure? From your post, reading between the lines it looks like it turns over but doesn't actually fireup. Correct?

 

CPS, TPS, MAP. and yes it does crank but not start

 

Not sure if he did a good check on the fuel pressure but it's not his first engine install, but yes from what he tells me he did get it to turn but it wont fire up. He thought it might be the timing belt but everything seems fine or so it seems that is.

 

This is why I decided at an early age to learn to do my own work.

 

I did do some of the work before taking it to the mechanic. There is just so much that I could do without the needed tools or equipment or space to do it in. Getting high in age doesn't help or having a bit of a bad back. I would have try bit more if I had a place to take it totally apart. I rent and my parking spot isn't the place to leave your jeep in pieces over night.

 

I would find someone with experience in Jeeps like the XJ and 4.0 engine in these year models. I should say someone very good at trouble shooting sounds like you have thrown way to many parts at it already.


There are way to many parts replacers anymore than there are real mechanic's and that is a shame. But part of that is due to all the electronics in newer cars and all they do is plug in another computer that tells them what parts to start replacing in not even correct order.

 

That is why I posted here, I'm at the end of the rode and hope that someone here may know of some one in the east bay area in Ca, that does know the XJ and 4.0 engine.


Most mechanics you talk to will tell you "yes I've work on that item, they are all the same in most cars" and they seem to have this mentality that after working with so many cars and maybe getting it right, that all other vehicles are the same. It is a human mentality to think since you been around, you seen it all, until you find that you have not.
This mechanic said he had 2 other people look at it and they could not figure it out, thats why I ask for help in a Jeep community to see if there may be some one who know of a Mechanic in my area I can maybe reach out to.


Right now the only per say Jeep shop I can find is Golden Gate Jeeps in SF. I've heard of rumor of Jeep mechanics but nothing for sure. Every other auto shop will tell you "yes they have worked on Jeeps" (same been there done that mentality I just mention) but I already went that route and here I am.


I originally wanted to get all my work done by Shaffer offroad to get everything done by one location. When there and the guys seen cool and everything but he held me up for 3 months then said he was busy, so I pull the trigger at 4 Wheel Parts, and though they did a good job with the lift, they don't work on everything.
After spending so much on this Jeep now at over 3 locations, I wish I would have kept bugging Shaffer's to do the job, put oh well now.


So who can give a guy some help or point me in the right direction?

 

Maybe try asking on the "Pacific Southwest" forum. It's pretty active:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f34/

 

Doesn't sound like you took it to a mechanic since they can't actually do diagnostic work. Fred said it best, there are way too many parts changers out there and not enough real mechanics. This trend will continue as vehicles get more complicated to work on and "mechanics" pay remains where it's at. That's why I don't turn wrenches for shops anymore. I'll play with my own stuff from now on until they actually want to pay real mechanics a real salary lol

 

In your shoes I'd see if it has spark. If so I'd depress the little dealie on the Schrader valve there on the rail where a fuel pressure tester goes, and see if it spurts a little fuel. If not I'd see if it fired with starting fluid. If it has spark and doesn't fire with starting fluid I'd pull a plug or two and see if it's flooded.

You guys are aware the diagrams in the books and online are wrong? Facing the dizy from the side, #1 is at 5:00. (then 153624 clockwise)

If I was stumped I'd post the codes in case someone could help.

 

May the gods forgive me, but this story is kind of unbelievable.

 

Why do you say it's unbelievable?
I don't have to come on this site to make things up, that wouldn't make much sense. Not sure what you mean by unbelievable.


As far as the codes, I ask that from the mechanic but it doesn't stay on long enough to get codes, or so he says. So I don't know what's going on, I just know I got to take it to some one else who knows about Jeep XJs and the 4.0 I6.

 

Check fuel pressure at the rail using a mechanical gauge. You can get a gauge kit for like $25 or just rent one from O'reilly's. It should hold 40 PSI

Check spark as well. Pull one of the plugs, touch it to the engine cylinder head and have a friend crank the motor over. Spark should be nice and blue.

Also check timing on the motor;
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6756


I am not from Cali so I don't really have a good idea of where you should turn - but there are always Jeep specialty shops. This one got good reviews;
https://www.yelp.com/biz/golden-gate...sq=jeep+repair

Hate to say it, but if your mechanic can't even verify timing, fuel pressure, or consistent spark - than he isn't a mechanic and you need to find someone that actually is. Doesn't matter how many sensors he has changed for your family - if he cant troubleshoot than all a parts changer is all he is.