I searched and couldn't really find anything that relates, so here goes...

1989 XJ, 4.0L, BA 10/5, ~54,000 miles

I got home from work and had a couple beers and decided that I should step out and check my engine oil. It was at the "full" mark so I thought "hey great".

I then went inside and picked my nose... that's when I smelled the gas.

The fingers that I wiped off the dipstick with reeked of gasoline.

So I looked around and found out it could be a leaking injector. Well, I haven't got a pressure gauge to check the leakdown rate and there is no auto parts store near me (I live in the sticks... seriously). Eventually I'll order a gauge and do that check, but first I'd like to know...

1)Is having a bit of fuel in my oil dangerous for my engine? Keep in mind that there is no visible smoke of any color blowing at any time.

2)Could there be some sensor that is causing me to run too rich? The vehicle cranks for a second or two before firing, but then runs fine after ignition.

3)Am I just over thinking this?

Thanks for any replies.

 

Yes, it's diluting your oil. Bad for bearings, etc. Change that oil!

Yes, several things could cause that, but you should be seeing black smoke if that's the case. I just went through this with a vacuum leak, then a trashed O2 sensor. I think it's a bit odd that you have this problem with no black smoke. I hope some others can chime in on this.



No, you're right to be concerned.

 

also check your fuel pressure regulator, pull the hose off of it and make sure no gas comes out...

 

PO, a humble request to keep this thread updated. I also have a strong fuel smell in my oil (I plead the 5th re nose-picking haha). No black smoke. Fuel pressure check at rail on low end, but still within specs.

You might pick through tjwalker's posts as I found he has weighed in on this issue repeatedly in the past with diagnostic suggestions.

 

Agreed with all the above. You likely have a leaky injector. Pop out your spark plugs and see if any are black. That will find the culprit. The other thing you can do, without messing around with gauges and waiting for the pony express, is pull the fuel rail with injectors and set them up on some cardboard. Turn the key to ON and see what happens. If you see one injector slobbering while the engine isn't running you've found the problem... OR crank it a few times to get some spray, and see if one continues to make a mess. This is somewhat of a fire hazard so be careful!

When/if you determine the injectors are shot look at replacing them with the "Volvo 746" injectors. OE Renix are garbage.

A few seconds to crank is totally normal for 1987-1990.

Wait, what?

 

My leaky would make it stumble/miss just a sec, restarting hot after sitting a few minutes. Couple cyl's were flooding, would then clear right up.

 

Thanks for the replies, I started by doing an oil change today. I found that Carquest Premium filters are made by Wix... correct?


Are you talking about the vacuum looking line off the passenger side or the hardline off the drivers side? And what can we diagnose if I find fuel?

EDIT: I'm an idiot... of course there should be fuel in the hard line right? I'll check the vacuum line first.

 

Right. If the diaphragm in the FPR at the front of your fuel rail were to have a hole in it, that vacuum line would have fuel in it.

There is s test for fuel in the oil. You put a drop on some handy wrinkle, and see how it "runs". This here warm, ran out pretty slow. Maybe some "older" timer has more on this....

(Btw, Renix Jeeps need to complete a rev (at least), and reach 300 RPM before they will fire). They never start immediately.

 

Now there is a trick I never heard of DFlinstone.

What I always did to check the viscosity of my oil was pinch some between my forefinger and thumb... the further apart my fingers were when it finally broke, the more viscous the oil.

Anyway, it's fully dark and rainy here (no garage) the vacuum line test will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. Followed by a plug pulling (looking for black plugs) and then I might just commit Hari Kari.

This is just the beginning of of a long list of issues this old Jeep has... it really is a labor of love.

 

Well Jim, if its really an 89 with 54,000 miles, could you please put me in your will before that "hery hary" thing? If they are stock, the injectors are crap.

Sort of long/rambling thread w/testimonials> https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/199...r-swap-163105/

That trick, IIRC originally is done with the wrinkles on the thumb.

On-top in the link in my signature is Cruisers tips. 1, 3,4, and five are highly recommended.

 

Yes. Good stuff.

 

Well, I just got home from work and have a ton of chores to do so this project will be on hold until tomorrow at least. I did have time to snap a few pics though...