I've searched and search and searched. It's finally come to this. I made a rookie mistake and decided to degrease the engine with gunk. I only did the passenger side. I hosed it off after 15 minutes. Then started the motor and let it run for a while to dry it out. From then on out its had trouble starting. Side note. The week previous I poured a 1/3 of a can of seafoam into the gas tank. When the issues starred I was on like a quarter of a tank of gas.

Symptoms: hesitation to start. Almost sounds like the starter is struggling. It only starts up if I give it gas. Then I need to hold the engine at like 1500 rpm until it warms up. If I let of the gas it runs really tough then dies. I've never had a problem with starting it ever.

What I've done to try and fix it: simple tune up. Replaced the plugs, writes, cap, and rotor. My low gas light came on last night so I grabbed a can of drygas and filled it up with 10 gallons of 93. It's been about a week of this going on. The tune up and gas fool was just last night.

My truck is in a heated garage. I've changed all fluids except the oil which will be done in the next week.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanx



Btw it's a 99 4.0

 

I have the same issue with my 99 xj its been in the garage all winter I start it every two weeks and let it run till it gets warmed up 15 min. It mite be water in the gas, I am going to put some dry gas in and see if that will fix the problem I'll get back with you and tell you if that is my problem if not looks like cap and roter and wires or maybe a map sensor.

 

Seems like it was the battery. Replaced it and starts right up. Next is to see if the alternator is properly charging the battery.

 

Also, disassemble and clean all connections/grounds.

 

Thanks