Howdy y'all. Just bought my first Jeep yesterday. 98 XJ Sport. Just figured I'd stop by the intro forum right quick and drop a line. Hopefully I can get some insight on fixing the timing issue I'm having with it. Happy to be here!

 

welcome, tell us what seems to be your boggle?

 

Seems to be a timing issue. When it starts it idles alright, but still kinda rough. When you drive it, the more throttle you give it, the worse it misfires, pops, and gets rougher. Can't drive it more than 30 mph, There's a substantial loss of power due to whatever this is. I've checked the firing order and such and it all looks to be right.

 

Previous owner said he replaced the timing chain and ever since then, it's been doing that.

 

it may be off a tooth when he installed it, i would consiter pulling the timing cover and see for yourself if its set at base timing TDC (top dead center) for cyl #1. thats of course if it really is timing related... but thats what it sounds like its off a tooth

 

Timing is not adjustable on a 4.0L The Ignition Timing is controlled by the PCM, not the distributor. Valve Timing is set by a properly installed Timing Chain.

If there's any question about the valve timing....pull the timing chain cover and check the chain for proper installation.

 

stand corrected kinda forgot its a Chrysler thing not a typical car

 

Ok that's kinda what I figured. I pulled the distributor out completely to see if the splines were ok. I saw there was only one way to put the distributor in so there was no way to adjust the timing by the distributor. I'm still gonna replaces the plugs and wires but I'm also more than likely gonna have to pull the front face off and look at the timing chain itself.

 

Also, if the chain IS installed correct I guess the next thing would be the PCM?

 

The distributor body can only go in one way, but it's very easy to install it with rotor in the wrong position.

Here ya go:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/col...33/#post268165

 

Don't guess at the problem, that will cost you a lot of money.

Start with the basics.
Is your CEL on?
If so, what are the codes?

 

The check engine light is not on currently, but it could be burnt out or bulb has been removed. I will try and get a code reader to it just to see.

 

Welcome!

 

It could be a stuck injector or 2. See a lot of chryslers with them. Seafoam fixed that on my charger. Although definitely check to see if the chain was installed properly. Anyways good luck.

 

Was your Charger doing something similar to what I described?