[Littlefield]

Hey guys, just got a new (to me) 2001 White XJ last night, so far things have been going pretty well... but, there have been a couple concerns that I want to do anything preventative if possible before they become bigger issues;

1. I went back to my XJ yesterday to park it a little closer to the guy behind me, it stalled out. Jeep was running for quite a while about 5 minutes before.
2. Starting it up this morning took a few seconds longer than usual; it started up but it wasn't going to win any awards doing so.

Any recommendations on things to check or parts to get on order now?

Anything else I might as well do with the Jeep now? I've been reading that people seem to enjoy using Seafoam on their XJ; think I might spend an hour on that this weekend. Thoughts?

Edit: Need help; see post below.

[b16gsr]

fuel pump module.

[Littlefield]

Originally Posted by b16gsr

fuel pump module.

Do you think that's my start-up problem or are you saying that I'm probably going to need to replace it soon enough anyway?

[rsurran]

On the stalling issue, you could be describing heat soaking which is an issue on some Jeeps after they have been running, shut off, and restarted. Had you ran it further you would have noticed the problem clear up in a minute or two. Not esecially harmful as of what I have heard. High under hood temperatures cause heat soaking.

[DerMeister]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

Do you think that's my start-up problem or are you saying that I'm probably going to need to replace it soon enough anyway?

The longer starts could actually be from the very common fuel check valve.

It basically holds the fuel pressure in the lines and rail. Often this malfunctions and the fuel rail looses pressure and you have extended starting times.

You can prime the rail by turning the key ON and OFF a few times.

Replacing the pump assembly for a faulty check valve is a waste of resources IMO.

Congrats on the new XJ.

[cbenez1]

Don't get into the pre-emptive strike maintenance with your XJ. It's an 11 year old Jeep there will be plenty of things to replace if you give it time. Welcome to the neighborhood.

[bobbo_xj]

Just a few easier things to do that come to mind in no order:

1) Adjust TV cable linkagehttp://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/h...cable-1338631/

2) clean IAC and throttle body http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/cl...mmies-1114849/

3) If the poor man's primer trick with putting the key in the on position a few times before starting does not affect the time to turn over during start up, you could suspect the starter, particularly if it is original. Or you can wait till it fails, like alot of people do. Personally I replaced my starter after slightly longer start times, and now enjoy a crisp powerful start from a new starter.

4) Vacuum or blow any crap off around the valve cover and top of exhaust manifold, especially at #3 cylinder to avoid a hot spot condition that can cause a misfire. This is different than normal heat soak.

5) If you are looking at preventative maintainance stuff, assess your cooling system and replace components where appropriate (water pump, stat, stat housing, cooling sensor, rad, hoses, rad cap, fan clutch). Yes, you will have pleeenty of things to do and fix with the jeep.

[Littlefield]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys. Old Man's Primer Trick has worked like a charm so far. Everything else also seems to be going well. I'll put replacing the starter on my 1-year plan.

[cbenez1]

Originally Posted by bobbo_xj

Just a few easier things to do that come to mind in no order:

1) Adjust TV cable linkagehttp://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/h...cable-1338631/

2) clean IAC and throttle body http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/cl...mmies-1114849/

3) If the poor man's primer trick with putting the key in the on position a few times before starting does not affect the time to turn over during start up, you could suspect the starter, particularly if it is original. Or you can wait till it fails, like alot of people do. Personally I replaced my starter after slightly longer start times, and now enjoy a crisp powerful start from a new starter.

4) Vacuum or blow any crap off around the valve cover and top of exhaust manifold, especially at #3 cylinder to avoid a hot spot condition that can cause a misfire. This is different than normal heat soak.

5) If you are looking at preventative maintainance stuff, assess your cooling system and replace components where appropriate (water pump, stat, stat housing, cooling sensor, rad, hoses, rad cap, fan clutch). Yes, you will have pleeenty of things to do and fix with the jeep.

Longer start times have NOTHING to do with the starter. The multiple key to on position procedure is to let the electric fuel pump pressurize more than once. This overcomes pressure loss thru the fuel system due a variety of causes. If you replace your starter because your engine takes longer to fire when turning over you are absolutely throwing away money.

[bobbo_xj]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

Awesome, thanks for the help guys. Old Man's Primer Trick has worked like a charm so far. Everything else also seems to be going well. I'll put replacing the starter on my 1-year plan.

If the key trick is working that well, then you have a fuel delivery problem, therefore no cause to replace the starter.

[cbenez1]

I could have sworn I just said that ?

[rugsucka]

The starters probably fine, you just have some sort of fuel starve condition. I wouldn't bother replacing the starter.

On a serious note though --- please don't call your Jeep a car. or a truck. I drive a Jeep - that's all you need to say.

And on an actual serious note --- you have a potentially expensive condition waiting to happen. All 00 and 01 XJ's have a coil pack ignition system vs a distributor and plug wire set up. With this set up came the infamous 0331 head casting which is notorious for liking to crack between cylinder 3 and 4 - especially if you have a moderate to severe overheat. Most will not, but you can help yourself by maintaining your cooling system as an important part of your maintenance plan. If you have not already, it is a good idea to inspect your hoses, serp belt, water pump, and Tstat housing. If in doubt, spend around 100 bucks on a new belt, pump, 195' Tsat, upper and lower rad hoses, Rad cap, and fresh coolant. You should also inspect the level of fluid in your coolant reservoir often - say once per week (near the battery) and look for sudden and rapid loss of coolant.

I have a '00 XJ, the head is original, but I keep an eye on 3 things when driving my jeep - The coolant temperature, the oil pressure, the gas gauge - in that order. My XJ will run rough for about 10-15 seconds if it's hot and doesn't cool much before restarting - your fuel injectors are right above you exhaust manifold and heat soak is common - there should be a piece of aluminum insulation between your fuel rail and intake/exhaust manifolds - helps with the heat soak and keeps debris such as leaves and crap from accumulating and catching fire. Sometimes the dealership also wrapped insulation around the injectors 3 and 4.

Don't be afraid to use the drop down arrow search and you will find piles of information and most of your questions have been asked and answered before, if not, post a thread.

[cbenez1]

Good point

[Littlefield]

Well, I would imagine I'm getting close to this serious condition already. I was driving for about a half hour when the coolant sensor light came on and about 1/8 mile later the Jeep (sorry rugsucka) stalled out. I disconnected the battery, went to the coffee shop next door, let it cool down and it started back up and I got home. So what's the problem here? Sounds like I definitely need to start the maintenance program...

Edit: Thought this was getting kind of technical and I need some answers so I started a thread in the tech section: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/c.../#post13971491