Patr

HEY THERE!



Here is Max, and soon to be Mad Max when I finish my build. I have a 1996 XJ Sport with a solid 4.0 high output and high miles. I'm from Connecticut, but live in Tempe, Arizona for school- which I just finished up.

I picked it up with 289k miles and some change, and hope to keep those going for a while. This is the newest vehicle I've owned, and I've owned my share of cars/lemons/rust heaps. I haven't been offroading yet, so I have yet to share with you the first shocking offroad experience; but I have owned a jeep before.

The only two 4x4s worth mentioning are:

I had a 1979 CJ7 with a 4 bolt Chevy 350, 2500 axles, 8 inch lift, hidden shackle madness and 32s.

1986 Suzuki Samurai, which I loved. It will forever be the most fun I've had in a truck ever- if you can even call it that.



Sorry for that!


This is the build thread for Max! and I'll keep my progress and countless hours tearing into this beast in this thread.

( I am also working along side General Patton, who is carrying on a build of his own! ) He also has some pretty useful links and tips.

Patr

So far I've had a few problems: I highlighted the red as issues I am curious on others opinions about and how to go about them.

- Tires are spent.

✓- Coolant leaking when I stop, suspecting my water pump is losing hope
✓- Ordered new water pump 7/1/2012, replacing it my next day off.
✓ - In the mean time, I'm keeping an eye on the temp. and levels.
Update: New water pump + coolant flush and it runs amazing. No more leak.

- Failed emissions due to engine missfire
- Still dianosing before dumping money.
- Have a hunch it has to do with my old, cracked fuel injector wiring. (its bad)
- Going to replace wiring and see what happens.
*So far I've replaced out of maintenance purposes: Wires and plugs. The cap seemed fine after a nice clean, it was the newest.
Could this be because I don't have a catalytic converter or downstream O2 and my engine is in a distress mode?

- Failed emissions due to not having a catalytic converter.
- I hate people that rip out the cat, this isn't my doings.
- Going to replace cat and downstream O2 sensor.

- Engine runs hot under extended load.
- Going to upgrade the fans and get this engine to run comfortably cool.
- Upgrading to a 180* thermostat when I can, and getting some more airflow.

- The rear passenger door handle is disconnected on the outside with the child security lock.. locked. So I have to figure that out.

Patr

I've found out my build sheet, which I'll keep here for record keeping too.



*J5 Cloth/Vinyl High-Back Bucket Seats
APCP Center Band Two Tone Paint
ARWP Sport Decor Group
AWH Power Equipment Group
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGK 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
CADP High Back Bucket Seats
CDBP Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CGTS Driver Air Bag Only
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Midgate Box Access
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUFP Full Length Floor Console
CUN Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSS Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS 230MM Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRMP Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAL Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEHS Fixed Door Vent Glass
GFA Rear Window Defroster
GR1P Left Remote Mirror
GS1P Right Remote Manual Mirror
GT1S Black Mirrors
GVAC All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDP Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBFS Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MB1S Black Front Bumper
MB5S Black Rear Bumper
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFFS Black Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MUKS MOPAR Chrome Bodyside Molding
MWGP Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NBHP High Altitude Emissions Tracking
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHM Speed Control
PX8 Black Clear Coat
QX9P Black
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAF AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRNP P225/75R15 OWL Wrangler AT Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJH 15X7 Aluminum Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

Our records indicate that the following recall campaign(s) have not been
performed by an authorized dealer:

E22 REPROGRAM PCM AND INSPECT CATALYTIC CONVERTER

>> Does the above entitle me to a free catalytic?

dnuccio

I couldve sworn I've seen that jeep sitting in a driveway in tempe, right at spence ave and cedar street off of rural?? looked left for dead last time a saw it. where did you buy it from?

Patr

bought it from a guy out in casa grande. I live near rural though, but not in a driveway.

Maybe the guy lived there if this was a few weeks ago? I would love to check out the carfax someday.

dnuccio

Could be. I walked around it in the driveway to check it out and it had that same push bar and lights in the front bumper

Patr

Quick update since I haven't:

I replaced the water pump and hoses.

Installed and welded a new catalytic converter, and O2 sensor which allowed me to pass emissions. The check engine light came on the day after I passed emissions.. so I got real lucky.

I was experiencing slow starts and my radio resetting the channels every now and the starter seemed to struggle to start the jeep. I "waited it out" instead of throwing parts in attempt to fix it.

After waiting it out, the battery fully died on me. I replaced the battery and everything has been fine since then. The old AutoZone battery was from 2008.


I have yet to check out what the engine codes are, and I will update when I do. The engine still sputters when under load but still revs high and holds its own. It idles kind of like a V8 with a cam but does not cycle revs like a vacuum leak and does not die at any point. I am tempted to also wait this out, EXCEPT I am getting 14 MPG

Is there a reason or does anyone have any experience with a problem like this?

TLDR: My engine idles funny, does not shut off, but gets really bad gas mileage (14). New spark plugs and wires, they are not the copper ones, I got them before learning of the woes on the forums. Could the spark plugs kill the gas that much and cause that idle?