NEW 1990 XJ owner, Replace ENGINE???
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,365
Likes: 1,215
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 80
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Might want to adjust that TPS. http://cruiser54.com/?p=54
-H
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 80
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Ah ok...Yes, the screen shots were while driving. I was attempting to show various RPM under load. Guess that didn't work so well..LOL.
I do want to give a shout out to R.E.M. nickintimedesign.com/rem-gauge-readouts/ This I believe is a great tool.
I went full boat and bought the gigged out model for 199.00. However ... most of what you need and use is only 155.00. Gives a ton of info.
Thanks as well to http://cruiser54.com/ for us Renix owners... these 2 are a true GodSend.
I also want to thank all those who send fix it don't replace it. These issues I'm working on now...would have existed with a rebuilt engine.
-H
I do want to give a shout out to R.E.M. nickintimedesign.com/rem-gauge-readouts/ This I believe is a great tool.
I went full boat and bought the gigged out model for 199.00. However ... most of what you need and use is only 155.00. Gives a ton of info.
Thanks as well to http://cruiser54.com/ for us Renix owners... these 2 are a true GodSend.
I also want to thank all those who send fix it don't replace it. These issues I'm working on now...would have existed with a rebuilt engine.
-H
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 80
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
HELP!!!! It was working....Now it is not...
When I first installed the 02 all seemed well.
Now few Days later... it is running rich...
So Rich It will not pass smog.
Question....Early on... You said it should run a 192. The temp has never risen above about 180.... Could this be a failed Coolant Temprature Sensor???
When I first installed the 02 all seemed well.
Now few Days later... it is running rich...
So Rich It will not pass smog.
Question....Early on... You said it should run a 192. The temp has never risen above about 180.... Could this be a failed Coolant Temprature Sensor???
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 789
Likes: 233
From: Current XJ is
Year: 95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Hi, I just purchased a 1990 Cherokee XJ. I have wanted a Jeep since 1994 when my boss let me drive his old Wagoneer around his membership Ranch in Wyoming.
I finally bought one. My son's friend had one .. Body is in Good shape.. Sun burned.. but no rust. no major body damage. just the normal minor dings of use. Inside is in decent condition with the exception of a bad spot on the dash. Electric windows are stick but work.
Now the issues. I paid 1,000 for the truck. The truck needs the freeze plugs under the manifolds replaced. We are tossing around whether to just replace the engine. It starts and runs.. but has 270,000 miles. The engine appears to leak oil from somewhere (presence of oil residue). The manifold seems to have a crack as well.
I could buyt freeze plugs,, around 20.00, weld the header crack, manifold gasket 20.00.. a few hours of labor . and get on with life... <OR>
I can buy a long block from O Riellly for 1800.00. Add a new water pump, rebuild the injectors, replace the manifold.. then see if the trans needs work. (AHAHAHAH).. I figure with the engine replacement I will be in for about 2,200.00 or so.
I think a used engine is out... anything from that era has too many miles to swap (heard of a 850.00 90,000 mile engine but alas.. its still a 1990).
So ... give me your opinions.. what should I do? I can't drive it as it sits..
Plan is to have a trail runner.
The XJ is stock except for a 3" lift. Has very new all purpose tires (road really).
It will go into 4 hi.. but not 4 lo from my quick tests in the parking lot.
There is a vacuum device on the front axle that appears to need work.
-H
I finally bought one. My son's friend had one .. Body is in Good shape.. Sun burned.. but no rust. no major body damage. just the normal minor dings of use. Inside is in decent condition with the exception of a bad spot on the dash. Electric windows are stick but work.
Now the issues. I paid 1,000 for the truck. The truck needs the freeze plugs under the manifolds replaced. We are tossing around whether to just replace the engine. It starts and runs.. but has 270,000 miles. The engine appears to leak oil from somewhere (presence of oil residue). The manifold seems to have a crack as well.
I could buyt freeze plugs,, around 20.00, weld the header crack, manifold gasket 20.00.. a few hours of labor . and get on with life... <OR>
I can buy a long block from O Riellly for 1800.00. Add a new water pump, rebuild the injectors, replace the manifold.. then see if the trans needs work. (AHAHAHAH).. I figure with the engine replacement I will be in for about 2,200.00 or so.
I think a used engine is out... anything from that era has too many miles to swap (heard of a 850.00 90,000 mile engine but alas.. its still a 1990).
So ... give me your opinions.. what should I do? I can't drive it as it sits..
Plan is to have a trail runner.
The XJ is stock except for a 3" lift. Has very new all purpose tires (road really).
It will go into 4 hi.. but not 4 lo from my quick tests in the parking lot.
There is a vacuum device on the front axle that appears to need work.
-H
Nice find 
If it we're mine I'd kslap a new exhaust manifold on it, replace the freeze plugs, toss a front axle disconnect cable on and do the "new to me Jeep" service routine. Then I'd drive and enjoy it for 90,000 miles while figuring out what I wanted to rebuild/replace/upgrade/change.
Avoid parts store engines and transmissions. There's several good reasons why they are the cheapest you can buy...
Pics of your XJ would be welcomed.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 80
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
OK.. So just did an oil change and was going to "quickly pull the Coolant sensor" . hahahahaha.. How the heck.. do you get that thing out???? Now admittedly . I have no light..
While looking at the Jeep today though.. I noticed the bolts to the manifold were not tight. I tightened a few of them .. I will tighten the rest tomorrow. Could this be the issue??
I did install a BRAND NEW exhaust manifold. Could the heating and cooling cycle of caused the bolts to loosen? I personally torqued all eleven bolts according to the service manual pattern.....
-H
While looking at the Jeep today though.. I noticed the bolts to the manifold were not tight. I tightened a few of them .. I will tighten the rest tomorrow. Could this be the issue??
I did install a BRAND NEW exhaust manifold. Could the heating and cooling cycle of caused the bolts to loosen? I personally torqued all eleven bolts according to the service manual pattern.....
-H
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 80
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
The Coolant Temperature sensor. The one on the side of the block. Got the old one out.. now I can not get the new one in. I thought I'd replace it .. because I have a feeling it isn't sense the temp correctly..
Now that looks like a foolish decsion now that I have been workin on it for 2 hours trying to get the thing back in..
It is a BWD wt5011...
-H
Now that looks like a foolish decsion now that I have been workin on it for 2 hours trying to get the thing back in..
It is a BWD wt5011...
-H
