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Rough idle after swapping spark plugs

Old 08-30-2012, 11:28 AM
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Default Rough idle after swapping spark plugs

hey guys, Im the 6th owner of my XJ and from the way it looks no one ever properly maintained it so i recently replaced my spark plugs, wires, distributer cap and router, i made sure that all wires were in the correct spot on the cap, then i went ahead and started replacing the plugs and i found that none were gapped the same, they ranged from .040-.055, i made sure i gapped all mine at .035, so anyways after everything was properly installed i went to start her up and the whole jeep started shaking, when i rev the engine it smoothes out a little but still can tell its not running right,

my only thought was that maybe the computer was compensating for the old plugs that weren't properly gapped and once i replaced them, the computer compensations were causing the shake...
Old 08-30-2012, 11:42 AM
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What year is your XJ and what types of plugs did you get? From what I've read on this site, it seems like the 4.0 can get very finnicky when it comes to plugs.
Old 08-30-2012, 11:49 AM
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i have a 99 sport and i put Autolite copper core plugs in,
Old 08-30-2012, 11:50 AM
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Is the firing order right?
Old 08-30-2012, 11:51 AM
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Best plugs to get are Champion Coppers. For some reason the 4.0's tend to like them the best. Make sure all the plugs are fully set as well as the wires. Also, make sure you've got all your wires are plugged to the cap correctly as well as to the proper wires. Never hurts to double check.
Old 08-30-2012, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Xj88
Is the firing order right?
i made sure all the wires went right where they were on the old cap so i would assume so
Old 08-30-2012, 11:52 AM
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Are they torqued down correctly? And are all your wires on tight on both the cap and the plugs?
Old 08-30-2012, 11:54 AM
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i had my grandfather helping me and he's a mechanic and he double checked if they were all torqued down properly and i just double checked the wires
Old 08-30-2012, 12:00 PM
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153624, clockwise from 5:00 viewed from the side. Worth double checking..anyway.
Old 08-30-2012, 12:01 PM
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ok we just checked the wires and started it again and now the check engine light is flashing on and off
Old 08-30-2012, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by DFlintstone
153624, clockwise from 5:00 viewed from the side. Worth double checking..anyway.
ok ill check that
Old 08-30-2012, 12:03 PM
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Did you check to see of any of the plugs are cracked? Sounds stupid but I have seen it happen. Look under your hood, it should tell you the Champion spark plug number. Use the champions. One last thing. You said the previous owners did not maintain the vehicle, did you blow out the spark plug hole area with the spark plugs still in the motor? If you got dirt, mud, and what ever stuff which can accumulate around the spark plug holes in the motor that could explain your issues as well.
Old 08-30-2012, 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by mdnov
Did you check to see of any of the plugs are cracked? Sounds stupid but I have seen it happen. Look under your hood, it should tell you the Champion spark plug number. Use the champions. One last thing. You said the previous owners did not maintain the vehicle, did you blow out the spark plug hole area with the spark plugs still in the motor? If you got dirt, mud, and what ever stuff which can accumulate around the spark plug holes in the motor that could explain your issues as well.
no we didnt blow out the holes and all the plugs looked fine but ill check in a few
Old 08-30-2012, 12:11 PM
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You said the CEL was flashing on and off do you have a computer handy to check out the codes?
Old 08-30-2012, 12:13 PM
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no i currently dont my dad has a freind coming over tomorow and he owns one, he could probably bring his

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