I NEED a 96-99 xj enfine guru

**overlandchris** · 08-07-2012, 01:23 PM

I am running out of ideas. I just installed my reman in my 96 Xj. I primed the oil pump and had a bit if trouble with timing but fixed that and it ran great perfect almost. I did the 20 minuet burn in or break in which ever you prefer, and everything was going great. Next day I go to start it again and it's running rough and hesitating on acceleration, the back end of the engine and the trans are kinda dancing around. I wouldn't call it heavy shake. So I start doing some research. I try replacing my idle air valve and no change, same with TBS, map sensor checks out fine. I replace all my plug wires and toss the unnameable plugs I had and put in simple autolite copper. Dizzy cap is new, all injectors are new, fuel filter is new. Pugs are properly gapped. After a few days I check the plugs, all are clean and perfect accept for cylinder 1. Cylinder 1 plug smells of gas and has carbon on it. I clean up the plug throw it in and it runs better for a short time. I remove the plug and run the engine looking at spark. It's an orange spark with some blue on the electrode tip. Test the wiring for the injector and the injector itself. Wiring checks out as does the injector. It clicks as one would expect. So after all this all I have left to try is, 1 replace the plug, 2 replace the rotor, 3 swap the injector with another cylinder and see If maybe it's the injector. Is there any other cause I haven't checked? Does any body have any ideas or have they seen this problem before? After those 3 things I'm out of ideas.

**overlandchris** · 08-07-2012, 01:27 PM

I forgot to add, no blue smoke from the exhaust, or black smoke, or smoke at all.

wheelin · 08-08-2012, 09:21 PM

i would do a compression check, possible low compression on cylinder one causing the fouled plug. rings may have not seated on that cylinder

**overlandchris** · 08-09-2012, 09:56 PM

Is there a way to fix the rings with out pulling piston 1 if I have poor compression? I have a feeling the answer is no but just for my own education I figured I would ask.

Wrenchtwister13 · 08-12-2012, 08:44 PM

Could have a stuck valve or a camshaft that has gone flat check the compression dry at first if no compression try adding a little oil and recheck if it has compression could be rings also check for a broken valve spring

Wrenchtwister13 · 08-12-2012, 08:45 PM

Also check the vacuum with a gauge

jnicewan · 08-12-2012, 11:37 PM

I would hate to keep throwing ideas out there without checking the simple things first like spark plug, injector or plug wire. All of these things can be checked for free or cheap. I think you should be able to swap cylinders with all of these parts. Either swap the pieces one at a time, or label them and swap to different cylinders. An injector can click and measure good resistance but could still be dribbling fuel or leaking. A compression test would be quick and easy too.

For example, put #1 spark plug to #2, put #1 injector on #3 cylinder and see if the problem moves to the other cylinder. Im not sure if you can swap the plug wire but might be able to swap #1 with #6.