Besides some carbon deposits and water/oil from the blown head gaskets they looked OK.

# 2 cylinder spark plug looked fouled from oil so I cleaned it up and reset the gap on all of them. When I checked it again after running it, it looked normal also. I changed them all anyway as they looked quite worn.

 

Hmmm....the only other thing that comes to mind would be clogged injectors, or something faulty between the ignition or the distributor....

 

Just a reminder. You might be able to loosen the header pipe bolts to let some exhaust leak out. If that clears up your problem, get a new cat. after checking for potatoes up your pipe!

 

When I first started it after replacing the head gasket there was quite a bit of oil and water blowing out the exhaust pipe. From what I can tell coolant alone can damage a converter. I also replaced all the injectors as well as the plugs because they were messed up.

I think it's the converter too, so I plan on disconnecting it at the manifold and see if that solves the problem which I'm hoping it will. The only problem is getting out there before the temps hit 110+ here in AZ. Maybe Sat. morning before it heats up.

 

On that old K-car I was able to just loosen the bolts so there was a crack, that worked without starting a fire or blowing burning hot gas on wires or something. role down the windows! , hot or not.

 

Well after all that frustration I decided to take it to a shop and it turned out to be a wire to the #2 cylinder injector not making contact. Now it is running pretty smooth. The whole harness is pretty ragged and probably should be replaced.

But, now I'm wondering about the temp again. Here in AZ it's been like 105 to 110+ degrees outside and the temp guage is reading just under 210 until I turn on the AC then it shot up to 218 or so and holds steady so far. Turn off the AC and of course it cools down. I have replaced the thermostat and the water pump. Should I get a cooler running thermostat or look at something else. I just don't want to blow another head gasket, mine and the Jeeps.

 

8 degree temp rise after turning on A/C sounds perfectly normal to me, given your temps.

If it hits 240, then worry.

 

You had better do some more reading because most of them list pre obd 2 jeeps on their lists

 

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.: You are running 50/50 coolant mix? Water transfers heat better, if you go over 50% coolant it may have a tougher time cooling.

 

Well, after readin your post, I almost was gonna tell you to check your rotor, cap and wires for wear and tear etc etc, cuz mine did that a while back, an oh yeah...this is a big one I overlooked.......my plugs had over 75 k on em' an I forgot so the gap was out by about .005 on every plug....i put new ones in at the .35 gap and with new wires and cap an rotor...wheeeeeeeeeee.......lots o smooth ness!

am also out in the desert SouthWest..hottern hades in White Sands...

so yeah 50/50 mix is crucial!!

later!

cpnwrench

 

Read my post above ... I didn't say "Pre OBD2" I said "Pre-OBD1." Big difference. A standard code reader like you were talking about won't work on an '87-90 Renix XJ. I'm not trying to bust anyone's ***** here ... just trying to make sure the proper information is getting out. The only code reader that will work on a Renix system is a DRB-style code reader. The Renix system was before any form of of the "OBD" standard was incorporated into the XJ.

"Pre-OBD2" means OBDI. In XJ's that's '91-'95 -- Which came after the Renix system. Standard OBD2 scanners might or might not work on OBDI, but they definitely will not work on the '87-'90 Renix DRBII system.

But, if I'm wrong, please post a link to a standard, inexpensive OBDII reader that lists an 87-90 (Renix years) XJ in its compatibility list.

Thanks.

 

 

LOL ... Us old-timers need to stick together. Time for a beer.

 

Lol make mine a dr pepper...i may be young, but ive been working on engines since i was able to tell what a wrench was haha im already through two years of auto shop in college, still in high school, and i might bump up a few years from a placement test.

 

Ok cool ... I was really talking the fact that we both drive "old-timer" jeeps. You obviously know your stuff. Best of luck in your classes.