I'm thinking timing belt . . .

[Merturk_NB]

First, hello to all you fellow Jeep owners.

Second, I need help.

98 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4.0L 2WD
116K miles

Last night, my jeep started to lose power as I accelerated. It would jump/shake, and the check engine light came on.

I pulled over at the first gas station, and proceeded to check the oil, tranmission fluid, coolant.

Oil was one day overdue to be changed.
Coolant resevoir was empty, with a bunch of black gunk in the bottom.
Transmission fluid was fine.

I took it to SuperLube this morning, and had the oil changed, and the coolant flushed out. (the stuff that came out was black) They also replaced the Transmission fluid and the air filter.

I was hoping this would fix the problem, but it didn't. As I left SuperLube, the car shook on acceleration and decelleration. About five miles down the road, she seemed to get into step and rode smooth the rest of the way home.

I sat at home for about 2 hours, then I left for work. My baby started shaking again, though not as bad as before I got all the work done at SuperLube. This time, a shorter distance away from home, my jeep stopped with the shaking.

The mechanic at SuperLube turned off the Check engine light, stating a misfire as the cause. The check engine light has come back on, right after leaving SuperLube.

Am I right that this maybe a timing belt? I bought the car used from a dealership about a year ago. No other serious problems before now.

On a couple of side notes, my fuel gauge will jump between reading no gas, half the gas I have, and reading correctly.

Also, the front driverside fender? came off a few weeks ago. (it's the plastic hump that goes over the wheel) Do you know where I could find a replacement?

My back hatch has also been sticking. I've sprayed it with lube, and it's loosened up, but I'm missing a bolt in the bottom of the hatch where the handle is.

[edit]
Also, my gas tank sounds like it's bubbling when I turn off my jeep. That can't be normal.
[/edit]

Finally, the pin came out of my driver door, meaning the door won't stay open. Would that be ok to replace with a bold or nail?

Thank you for any responses.

[89ltd]

the 4.0L has a timing chain , not belt. Use the link below to determine if you have any codes stored in the computer.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/fault/index.html

[Merturk_NB]

I'll check that after work. I get out at 4.

is there anything else you can tell me. The SuperLube guy checked the code this morning, and said it was a misfire.

[refrigerationdude]

Merturk:

It sounds like your dist cap and rotor are aged, and also possibly the coil. I'm glad to find out these engines have a chain tho, as I just changed the main serpeintine accy belt this weekend and started to worry about a timing belt being in similar condition based on how bad that belt was.

My gas gauge has been acting the exact same way lately, seems to be worse if its damp and rainy outside. I'm thinking its a bad connection someplace, either back by the fuel sending unit, or behind the dash. Does it usually read correct if you shut the engine off and restart? Or just cycle the key from off to run a few times till its right w/o starting? Mine acts just like that. I guess I'm not the only one.

The gas "gurgling" is normal, provided it only does it when the tank is first filled till it gets down to about a quarter tank. Mine has done this from day 1, I had the tank dropped twice when it was new, finally there was a TSB put out that the mechanic told me about a check valve in the filler neck that rolls back and forth when the tank is full or near full. It kinda sounds like ping pong balls bouncing together.

Hope that helps, if you find the gas gauge issue let me know.

Jeff

[89ltd]

I agree with the cap and rotor, but I would add wires and plugs ass well, you have to rule out the cheap basic stuff before you can determine your problem.

[Merturk_NB]

Ok, I got a diagnostic done on the Check Engine light from a friend.

It returned the following values resetting the codes:
Misfire on cylinder #1 #5
P0463 Fuel send unit voltz to high

After a reset of the codes and a restart of the computer:
P0463 Fuel send unit voltz to high

With this additional information, any different opinions?

[myjeepsux420]

Do the tune up. Mis fire indicates the spark plug is not lighting the charge in the combustion chamber. A tune up on the 4.0l is really easy with the exception of the front plug, because of the a/c. Do the plugs, wires, cap and rotor and it should run like a champ!

[Merturk_NB]

thanks for the input. does anyone know of an online guide for doing a tune up?

[Saudade]

Since the ign is electronic, there's not much to it. Just note the sequence of the plug wires on the cap to make sure you put the new ones in correctly.

The Autozone website has some good online guides.

[vamc]

http://www.quadratec.com/cgi-bin/sgs...05102414115306

this is for your fender problem. OE!
Quadrec is the best place. i shop there all the time.

[Merturk_NB]

Thank you, that's just what I needed.

Merturk_NB hugglez Saudade.

Thanks for the link too. I wish I could find just one fender flare though. (at least I know what it's called now)

[vamc]

Not a problem my friend. My grandparents live in Ocala. how is it out there by you? How is the weather. If you want something else neat on quadratec take a lookhttp://www.quadratec.com/cgi-bin/sgin0101.exe?T1=72151+01&UREQA=1&UREQB=2&UREQC=3&U REQD=4&FNM=13&UID=2005102414345530
Got this for our jeep last year. Its great.

[vamc]

http://www.quadratec.com/cgi-bin/sgi...05102414345530

[Merturk_NB]

i already got a cup holder :-P Mines a cherokee, and it came with that.

isn't there a forum on here to buy/sell parts and cars? I want to find that fender flare in red, and just one, not a set of four.

I'm a poor college kid, ya know?

Weather is finally getting cold :-D

are you going to be in the area any time soon? I need to do a tune up, and I'd like to have someone experienced on my side.

[vamc]

Sorry, i have not been down in florida in about 5 years or so.