1996 grand Cherokee 5.2l engine lacks power! Please help
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1996 grand Cherokee 5.2l engine lacks power! Please help
So my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2l v8 feels like it’s out of tune but there’s no way to adjust the distributor and it lacks power it feels like and I looked into it and some people said it might be a clogged cat so I cut mine out about an hour ago and it’s still the same. I just replaced the oil pressure sending unit, the entire thermostat and housing plus new radiator hoses and new fluid I just did an oil change as well and fixed the head gasket also topped off all fluids and it’s still running like **** , I’ve done all of this in this last week till now and I just can’t seen to find the problem
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Chevyboom (01-17-2022)
#2
Old fart with a wrench
Did you change a head gasket or a valve cover gasket? The reason I ask that question is you could have an intake plenum gasket leak. It's on the bottom of the manifold.
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Assume you have done the basics, spark, fuel pressure test>?
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Year: pair of 99s
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What are you comparing it to that makes it seem to lack power? When brand new, these engines only made 220 hp in a body that weighs almost 5000#. Put a couple hundred thousand miles on it and you may be in the 150-160 hp range.
Cylinder leakdown test along with the above will tell you more than just cutting out and replacing parts.
Cylinder leakdown test along with the above will tell you more than just cutting out and replacing parts.
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Year: pair of 99s
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Shipping weight, curb weight, gross weight, or reality weight after being driven for 22 years?
Put a tank of gas in it - 150#, a couple of adults in it - 400#, a couple of kids or another buddy - 150#, some gear for fun - 60-80#, and 26 years worth of accumulated dirt, crud, grime, and debris that can't be easily washed off because its packed in frame rails or on top of skid plates where you can't get to it - 20# and you're suddenly knocking on the door of 5k or more with an engine that may have 200k+ on the clock and be down 20-50 psi in the cylinders. Compare that to a trip around the block in your buddy's late model WRX and suddenly the Jeep feels like a blob that can't get out of its own way.
I love my Jeeps, but they certainly aren't hot rods.
You question about the head vs valve cover gasket certainly is relevant and I hope we get an answer on it. I don't see where any of the OPs listed work would make it run better than previously, but some of it could certainly make it run worse if other things were not put back together correctly or other things disturbed or broken in the process.
Put a tank of gas in it - 150#, a couple of adults in it - 400#, a couple of kids or another buddy - 150#, some gear for fun - 60-80#, and 26 years worth of accumulated dirt, crud, grime, and debris that can't be easily washed off because its packed in frame rails or on top of skid plates where you can't get to it - 20# and you're suddenly knocking on the door of 5k or more with an engine that may have 200k+ on the clock and be down 20-50 psi in the cylinders. Compare that to a trip around the block in your buddy's late model WRX and suddenly the Jeep feels like a blob that can't get out of its own way.
I love my Jeeps, but they certainly aren't hot rods.
You question about the head vs valve cover gasket certainly is relevant and I hope we get an answer on it. I don't see where any of the OPs listed work would make it run better than previously, but some of it could certainly make it run worse if other things were not put back together correctly or other things disturbed or broken in the process.
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Whats the mileage? How old are the o2 sensors? When was its last tuneup? If it needs a tuneup, check the plugs when you pull them for signs of fouling, running lean, etc.. Whats the fuel pressure? A compression test is a good idea regardless, as is a leakdown test. Replacing parts wont do much if the engine itself is old and tired. Refreshing the engine grounds is a good idea as well.
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#8
Old fart with a wrench
I'm more inclined to suspect the converters. Try a bottle of Mr Gasket Cataclean in the fuel tank. It was like a shot of adrenaline for my 4.0. Find it on Amazon.
#10
Loss of power
So my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2l v8 feels like it’s out of tune but there’s no way to adjust the distributor and it lacks power it feels like and I looked into it and some people said it might be a clogged cat so I cut mine out about an hour ago and it’s still the same. I just replaced the oil pressure sending unit, the entire thermostat and housing plus new radiator hoses and new fluid I just did an oil change as well and fixed the head gasket also topped off all fluids and it’s still running like **** , I’ve done all of this in this last week till now and I just can’t seen to find the problem
Last edited by Chevyboom; 01-17-2022 at 08:27 AM. Reason: Missed spelled words
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#12
Last edited by alijawas; 01-21-2022 at 01:56 AM.
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