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97 Cherokee trouble making it uphill going 55

Discussion in 'Cherokee' started by Billy1234, Aug 31, 2019.

  1. Aug 31, 2019 at 7:10 AM
    #1
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So put about 8k on the jeep since I bought it. I love it runs awsome no issues besides not making it up hills doing 55 hit a hill goes does to about 30 35 mph. Idk why it's doing it. Did spark plugs wires and cap and still doing it. Could this be fuel related? It's a 5 speed if your wondering
     
    TinyInkognegroT likes this.
  2. Aug 31, 2019 at 9:10 AM
    #2
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    OK a 1997 cherokee - and you have a 4.0L with a manual?

    First suggestion EASY and my favorite FREE - have a scan done at one of the auto part stores.
    POST all codes.
    Pick up a can of 'seafoam' fuel treatment add to fuel tank.

    Do you have a fuel pressure gauge?
    Do you have a vacuum gauge?
    If no inquire at auto part store if they have as a loaner or rental.
     
    Bob likes this.
  3. Aug 31, 2019 at 10:59 AM
    #3
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    There are no codes what so ever I scanned then brought it to napa and scanned again and nothing and no I dont have either my buddy does hes out of town till tommrow. Any ideas I can try now? What about egr valve? Idk if that will have any thing to do with it and I have no clue where it is
     
  4. Aug 31, 2019 at 11:22 AM
    #4
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Oh and yes to the 4.0 with manual
     
  5. Aug 31, 2019 at 12:26 PM
    #5
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    I do not think its an EGR issue... Don't spend alot of time looking.

    Poor performance and no codes - fuel pressure would be a place to start.

    There are NO modifications to powertrain ?
     
    JKBob 25 and Billy1234[OP] like this.
  6. Aug 31, 2019 at 12:30 PM
    #6
    Jim Beam

    Jim Beam Well-Known Member

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    Fuel Injection, Dana 44s, T18, 4.10s w/lockers
    I think you should consider the fuel filter and a fuel pressure check. That 4.0 was known for cracking the exhaust manifold which can lead to a burnt valve. Also consider doing a compression check, its always good to know whats going on inside. The throttle body probably has not been cleaned in a while either. Whenever I change spark plug wires, I always go for MSD.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  7. Sep 4, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #7
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So got a little time to check out the jeep today did the compression check as @Jim Beam suggested all is ok there. If it was a cracked manifold wouldnt it be a little louder? My jeep sounds like it did off the show room floor completely quite.

    @Awrench no mods at all besides a 3inch lift. Could this be caused by a clogged cat?
     
  8. Sep 4, 2019 at 3:24 PM
    #8
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    Cat - your guessing.

    Check the fuel pressure - the vacuum gauge will be a help as we can check cat pressure problems with it and see if more is needed in that direction...

    Did you get the gauges?
     
    Billy1234[OP] likes this.
  9. Sep 4, 2019 at 3:29 PM
    #9
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah you caught me red handed I was guessing. I did the compression test that's ok now I have the gauge for fuel pressure just dont know how to use it I will figure that part out right now. I need this fixed got a job starting monday in Georgetown about 1.5 hrs from me and I need my jeep haha.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  10. Sep 4, 2019 at 4:46 PM
    #10
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    there is often a schraider valve on the injector fuel rail whare you can attach (screws on) your fuel gauge.

    Simple - check the diagram for location hope it this simple

    fuep pressure port.jpg
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  11. Sep 5, 2019 at 11:22 AM
    #11
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    Are you running the 33"s? and stock gears? The 5 speed had 3.07 gears and likely isn't happy with the tire size.
    I have a 5 speed, 3.55 gears, and 32"s and on some hills I do have to downshift to 4th to keep from slowing down too much.
    But man on the flat or slightly rolling hills it runs great and still gets 18+mpg.
     
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  12. Sep 5, 2019 at 4:15 PM
    #12
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Got 31/10.50r15 I do 60 till I hit the hill then it starts to drop quick. Downshift and all. when I downshift it wont go over 2 grand after. Still at work ganna try and do the rest if the test tommrow after I get out.
     
  13. Sep 28, 2019 at 8:13 AM
    #13
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Fixed it! Finally had a day off to really get in to it. Has new fuel rail injectors plugs wires cap. And still was being a slug so I decided to cut the cat and look inside and what do ya know it was clogged like hell. Gutted it put it back on and shes good to go again.!!!! Thanks for the help peeps
     
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  14. Sep 29, 2019 at 8:57 AM
    #14
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How the hell do I upload a video on here? I got a wierd noise (banging) that I cant explain
     
  15. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:01 AM
    #15
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    You ARE going to replace the CAT?
     
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  16. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:12 AM
    #16
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes I am this was the cheapest way for me to fix it right now.
     
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  17. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:28 AM
    #17
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    good we can all breath easier :jeepwave:

    A far as the noise - only when moving?
    In 1st gear only?
    When mother in law is in back?
    Front, rear, engine bay, trans area?
    Only when braking?
     
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  18. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #18
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Turning both ways, moving, sounds like coming from trans area or passenger side area. And when mother in laws in the back.
     
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  19. Sep 29, 2019 at 9:53 AM
    #19
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    And sometimes in first gear when I let clutch out. Buddy thinks it's something to do with that
     
  20. Sep 29, 2019 at 10:08 AM
    #20
    Awrench

    Awrench Well-Known Member

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    OK no noise at idle?
    you were just down there at the exhaust - could the exhaust be loose, position shifted one way or the other?
     
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