My '88 XJ...
DIGITRUCK
01-09-2006, 01:19 AM
Hey,
'88 XJ Cherokee Laredo 4.0L, Auto, 4WD, 138k mi. Reman 4.0L and AW4 Asian Tranny put in at 135k mi. Rusty's Air Tube and K&N Cone Filter. High Flow Cat and Flowmaster Muffler. Closed to Open Rad with CSF.
All else stock. Changed most of the sensors. The manifold is from the original 4.0L. All new springs/shocks/bushings/rotors/calipers/pads/drums/linings/cylinders/flex lines/hard lines etc.
1. Does my year XJ '88 have any probs that I should be on the lookout for?
2. How does my '88 stack up to the newer models (up to 2001)? Is it better or worse (specifics please).
Thx, Phil:smile:
'88 XJ Cherokee Laredo 4.0L, Auto, 4WD, 138k mi. Reman 4.0L and AW4 Asian Tranny put in at 135k mi. Rusty's Air Tube and K&N Cone Filter. High Flow Cat and Flowmaster Muffler. Closed to Open Rad with CSF.
All else stock. Changed most of the sensors. The manifold is from the original 4.0L. All new springs/shocks/bushings/rotors/calipers/pads/drums/linings/cylinders/flex lines/hard lines etc.
1. Does my year XJ '88 have any probs that I should be on the lookout for?
2. How does my '88 stack up to the newer models (up to 2001)? Is it better or worse (specifics please).
Thx, Phil:smile:
Saudade
01-09-2006, 02:31 PM
Given what you've already done to it, Q#1 is kind of broad. You could check the bushings in the suspension components and universal joints. Make sure everything is greased up and tight. Replace anything suspect or loose.
There are a lot of hard plastic vacuum lines that get pretty brittle with age. Be careful working around these. A break will create a vacuum leak.
Q#2 is highly subjective. I have an '88 XJ. It has a few annoyances, but overall runs well (at the moment). :)
There are a lot of hard plastic vacuum lines that get pretty brittle with age. Be careful working around these. A break will create a vacuum leak.
Q#2 is highly subjective. I have an '88 XJ. It has a few annoyances, but overall runs well (at the moment). :)
DIGITRUCK
01-09-2006, 02:54 PM
Given what you've already done to it, Q#1 is kind of broad. You could check the bushings in the suspension components and universal joints. Make sure everything is greased up and tight. Replace anything suspect or loose.
There are a lot of hard plastic vacuum lines that get pretty brittle with age. Be careful working around these. A break will create a vacuum leak.
Q#2 is highly subjective. I have an '88 XJ. It has a few annoyances, but overall runs well (at the moment). :)
Hey Saudade,
Thx 4 the reply. All Bushings on the leafs and all control arms have been replaced. Oh yes, forgot about the U-Joints. I had the ones on the rear driveshaft replaced. But not the ones on the front driveshaft or axles.
The Mech said the ones on the front driveshaft don't go bad, I think he was just being lazy. Do the ones on the axles go bad?
1. How can you tell if the U-Joints are going bad?
2. How about the Transfer Case? Do they go bad? She's shifting fine in all modes 2WD and 4WD.
3. Oh yeah, I notice around the spark plug closest to the thermostat that there's seems to be some sort of wetness. It doesn't look like coolant or fuel more like oil? Beginings of a blown headgasket or loose valve cover maybe?
Thx, Phil
ps You guys are GREAT!:smile:
There are a lot of hard plastic vacuum lines that get pretty brittle with age. Be careful working around these. A break will create a vacuum leak.
Q#2 is highly subjective. I have an '88 XJ. It has a few annoyances, but overall runs well (at the moment). :)
Hey Saudade,
Thx 4 the reply. All Bushings on the leafs and all control arms have been replaced. Oh yes, forgot about the U-Joints. I had the ones on the rear driveshaft replaced. But not the ones on the front driveshaft or axles.
The Mech said the ones on the front driveshaft don't go bad, I think he was just being lazy. Do the ones on the axles go bad?
1. How can you tell if the U-Joints are going bad?
2. How about the Transfer Case? Do they go bad? She's shifting fine in all modes 2WD and 4WD.
3. Oh yeah, I notice around the spark plug closest to the thermostat that there's seems to be some sort of wetness. It doesn't look like coolant or fuel more like oil? Beginings of a blown headgasket or loose valve cover maybe?
Thx, Phil
ps You guys are GREAT!:smile:
Saudade
01-09-2006, 05:12 PM
I usually subscribe the philosphy "if it ain't broke....."
You'd have to disconnect the drive shafts and wobble the u-joint/CV joint around to see if it moves freely with no binding.
TC's can go bad but they usually break when they do. They're chain driven so if you don't hear any loud clunks, banging, etc., and it shifts OK, I'd leave it alone. Make sure the vent is clear and it's filled properly. (Mine's a 2wd so I don't have one).
The leak could be the valve cover. You could try to tighten the bolts (NOT TOO TIGHT). 55 inch/lbs is what my FSM calls out. If it still leaks, you may have to replace the gasket (or use some silicone seal). The factory gaskets are cork so too tight can make them leak.
Use some degreaser to clean the area and check it after a while.
Check out: http://www.lunghd.com/Downloads_and_Links/FSM.htm
You'd have to disconnect the drive shafts and wobble the u-joint/CV joint around to see if it moves freely with no binding.
TC's can go bad but they usually break when they do. They're chain driven so if you don't hear any loud clunks, banging, etc., and it shifts OK, I'd leave it alone. Make sure the vent is clear and it's filled properly. (Mine's a 2wd so I don't have one).
The leak could be the valve cover. You could try to tighten the bolts (NOT TOO TIGHT). 55 inch/lbs is what my FSM calls out. If it still leaks, you may have to replace the gasket (or use some silicone seal). The factory gaskets are cork so too tight can make them leak.
Use some degreaser to clean the area and check it after a while.
Check out: http://www.lunghd.com/Downloads_and_Links/FSM.htm
DIGITRUCK
01-10-2006, 01:37 AM
I have an '88 XJ. It has a few annoyances, but overall runs well (at the moment). :)
Hey Saudade,
What about the XJ bugs you specifically?
Also, since you also have an '88 XJ, did you change any of the fuel lines? Like the one at the back of the fuel rail or the one coming from the gas tank to the fuel regulator.
Do these fuel lines go bad?
Don't see any leaks but was wondering with a vehicle that's 18yrs old you never know.
Do your rear pass door locks work? Mine haven't worked since I bought her back in '96. I have to operate them manually and twisting around has hurt my back a few times. So hopefully time permitting I will add relays to give these locks the full 12 Volts and they'll slam open/shut! I already changed the door lock actuators but it seems like they still will need the full 12 Volts to open/shut. Not to mention I will finally be able to lock ALL of my doors with the Alarm Remote. lol And I throughly greased up the window tracks (and locking mechs too) my windows go up/down great!
Thx, Phil:smile:
Hey Saudade,
What about the XJ bugs you specifically?
Also, since you also have an '88 XJ, did you change any of the fuel lines? Like the one at the back of the fuel rail or the one coming from the gas tank to the fuel regulator.
Do these fuel lines go bad?
Don't see any leaks but was wondering with a vehicle that's 18yrs old you never know.
Do your rear pass door locks work? Mine haven't worked since I bought her back in '96. I have to operate them manually and twisting around has hurt my back a few times. So hopefully time permitting I will add relays to give these locks the full 12 Volts and they'll slam open/shut! I already changed the door lock actuators but it seems like they still will need the full 12 Volts to open/shut. Not to mention I will finally be able to lock ALL of my doors with the Alarm Remote. lol And I throughly greased up the window tracks (and locking mechs too) my windows go up/down great!
Thx, Phil:smile:
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