Jeep Creep Answers Questions for Jeep Owners

Here's a great column from www.offroad.com that answers all kinds of interesting questions for Jeep owners.

Funky Fuel Flow

Here’s the issue with my newly acquired ‘97 Wrangler 4-cyl. 5-speed. It has an exhaust leak. The exhaust manifold gasket gave up so the Jeep sounds like it’s ticking; therefore, I know that’s the problem. I feel like I should mention that although I’m pretty certain that’s not my issue. My issue lies here: The TJ turns over many times before starting. It takes a good 5 to 10 cranks for it to start and when it does it kind of sputters up. Doesn’t start strong (when it finally starts it idles poorly). It does not stall but I can feel a slight misfire. Then, if I rev it, it hesitates in the low rpm and then runs great when over 1,000 rpm. If I turn it off and QUICKLY turn it back on, it starts up fine, but if I wait even 10 seconds after turning it off, it takes quite a few cranks to start. So far I have replaced the air filter, distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs, and plug wires. What do I do next? What can it be? By the way: no CEL, and no codes come up on the self test. Just code 55, which is the end of OBDII test code.
Mystang
New York, NY

Your problem is obviously in the fuel system. When the engine is shut down for a time period the fuel has drained back into the tank, which it is not supposed to do. You could also have a problem with the fuel filter, which will also cause the engine to crank longer until fuel is delivered to the engine. Clean up your fuel line from tank to engine.

JK Jerking

I have a 2008 4-door JK. Shortly after buying it I lifted it with a Teraflex 2.5” budget lift. I added 1.25” wheel spacers and left the stock 255x75x17 tires on it and I never had a problem. Sharp corners entering freeway to 100 miles across the desert floor, sway and traction control never went on. I recently installed Toyo 33x12.5x18 Mud Terrain tires that are 1” taller, and now when I go around a corner left or right my brakes lock up. If I go down a dirt road straight over the smallest bumps, it locks the brakes until I stop. Had it aligned and the steering wheel is centered. Any ideas? Is there a flash to turn off the traction control permanently?
Jeff Dixon
Costa Mesa, CA

You’ll need to take it to your local dealer—the next servicing will do—and have the tech tell your computer that you have taller tires on it. That should clear everything up. I don’t know about turning off the system completely, which could be very dangerous. I have 34.5” Goodyear MT/R tires on my ‘07 JK Rubicon Unlimited (see “Polishing a Rubi” here on ORC) and have never experienced the troubles you’re having.

Too Young to Smoke

I need your help. I have a ‘93 Jeep Wrangler 6-cylinder. Lately I have to be adding oil to the motor, like 1-qt a week and it is smoking bluish smoke and of course running sluggishly. Do you think it’s going to run into a lot of money?
Silvia Javadiangilani

Have you done a compression check on the cylinders? Sluggish and blue smoke sounds like rings to me, which means a complete engine rebuild. Or you could have a fuel dilution problem, a bad fuel pump, or fuel leaking into the crankcase. You need to have a good tech check it out.

TJ Gear Ratio

I have an ‘05 Jeep Wrangler X model 6-speed manual transmission, 3.07:1 gear ratio and 32” tires. I do more highway driving then off-road. What gear ratio would work the best—4.11 or 4.56—for my Jeep? Where would the rpm be in 6th gear at 55/60 mph?
Roger Jackson - Pottsville, PA

Since you said you do more highway driving than off-road wheeling, I’m assuming you want highway gears rather than crawling gears. With 32” tires, I’d recommend the 4.11 gears. That should see you doing about 1,500 rpm in 6th. I love my 4.56 gears in my CJ, but it’s a trail Jeep with 35” tires.

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