I'm looking at investing a bit more in my old '90 Cherokee to keep it running strong. I'm at 230K miles (with a rebuilt engine installed about 60K ago) on original 3-spd transmission.

So, besides plugs, distributor cap/wires/rotor, and possibly a replacement on the timing belt... what else should I consider?

Should I have seals replaced? What about transmission/tc fluids drained, flushed, and filled? Differential fluid replaced? Fuel filter replacement?

These are some of the things I'm also thinking of having done (or doing myself where I can).

Are there other, bigger things I should be thinking about or budgeting for? my 2001 Cherokee is my DD, but this old one I use for heading out to the hills and I haven't really done much to the engine other than routine maintenance and want to think through the non-standard things I might want to fix/clean/repair here in the near future.

Any help is appreciated, thanks

 

air filter, clean the throttle body, spark plugs, wires, cap, oil and filter, tranny fluid and filter, both diffs, tranfer case fluid, lucas injector cleaner, seafoam, grease all joints in front end.... am i missing anything?

 

o yea and a belt.... also inspect your cooling system. flush radiator and put in new coolant, fun clutch, thermostat, water pump... while you got the belt off, check for play in the bearings in all the pulleys.

dont get the tranny flushed if you think it has never been done, better to just change the fluid and filter

 

forgot the ignition rotor, nice list though. all good things.


major tune up usally consists of cap rotor plugs and wires air filter and fuel filter if needed. but everything quadracer said is definately good stuff.

 

I agree with quad, don't get the tranny flushed if its hasn't been done on a regular basis, It likely to stir up more crap. Just change the filter and fluid.

Not sure if the 90 has a PCV valve, or just a restrctior in the system like the new ones, but check that tube out and either replace or clean the pcv valve, or the orfice.

Also as quad mentioned, when you change the serp belt, check the power steering pump for play. You should also change the fluid, just use a turkey baster or vacccum device to suck the old fluid out and refill. Run it and repeat the process a couple times until the fluid comes out clean, or something like it.

Another weak spot is the idler pulley, as quad stated check for play.

 

I would definitely replace the idler pulley. One went on me 30 miles into a 60 mile trip home. Not good.

 

hey, this is great stuff. you all pointed out things I'd never have thought of, and I'm super glad I asked.

Thanks so much for the help, and if you can think of anything else, lemme know

 

Another thing is brake fluid. Should be flushed and changed at least when pads/shoes are change, yearly is prefered. Flush and change the power steering fluid also. I don't see a fuel filter in the list. You might consider new o-rings on ALL of the quick-connect hoses.

 

might as well pull the engine while you're there. re ring it and do a valve job. right?


just messin around

 

Only additional thing I can think of would be the oxygen sensor.

 

this thread went from tune up, which is usally called an ignition tune up, to everything maintenance under the sun.

its all good preventative maintenance though.

 

hehheh, yeah, lots of stuff to think about.

But then again, I appreciate it. I haven't really done any major nitpicky work on the engine before, and while this is probably going to be fairly expensive, if I do it all, it's something I can at least use as a starting point, and then start figuring out how to do it in stages so I can afford it all.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give me these suggestions. I'd love to get another 10 years out of my old '90 cherokee, and if this helps achieve it, I'll be a happy camper

 

A fresh set of tires would be nice too.