Cause and Effect

Mike,

I'm not a regular here but I had a very similar thing happen to my 85 JC (2.8L V6). When floored it would do about 10 mph. At least until it caught fire.

I had a new muffler installed and on the way home she started running real rough. I was sending raw gas out the exhaust and it was accumulating in the new muffler. POW!

Anyway, just be careful.

Jamie.

Mike Roma> Ok...

The electrical plug and socket on the black round choke control by the valve cover have a nasty tendency to get corroded. No power and the choke closes. Partial power, partial close or intermittent close.

A plugged up gas filter would be my next guess and likely the trouble if starter fluid got it running, once pumping the pump can still force a little gas in for a short while.

If it is a plugged filter, make sure the return line outlet is at the top of the filter and the center one goes to the carb.

Once you get it running, I would expect idle issues from sucking the float bowl dry, if so let us know, there are easy fixes and regular things that mess up.

Mike

Joe wrote:

Could adjusting the carb cause this are are the 2 things unrelated... I literally started it (it took a while for it to start). Once it was running, I turned 2 screws, got the idle up. kept it running for about 5 minutes then drove it. There is now no power when going up hills, etc...

Ok...

We are long distance, right?

'What' 2 screws? There are 4.

Meanwhile, nothing you can adjust on the outside of the carb will affect high speed running.

And more than likely it was crapping out, everytime it shuts down and starts back up the surge plugs the filter a bit more. They go down fast over a half dozen starts....

This is really common on Jeeps when they sit. They have steel gas lines and when they sit the gas eventually gets out of the lines and rust occurs.

I just put a used plastic tank on mine and despite me flushing it, I killed two gas filters in two weeks. Another guy was here on the weekend and he is on his forth in two months on a 'new' 82 I think and this one weighed a couple pounds full of rust! I had a spare.

He only has 32000 miles on it and it sat and his gas tank must be rotten inside, his carb had a half inch of rust chunks in the float bowl too.

Mike

Joe wrote:

Mike, Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. "'What' 2 screws?" Well, unfortunately, according to hilton's, I was accurate in saying "screws". I found the diagram of my carb an the screws I turned are item

1. The description for 17 is "screw". Lots of help! I think that one of them sets the fast idle and the other does something with the choke? I'm thinking that I have the choke closed too much. HEre's exactly what's happening:

Sunday: Test drove the jeep. Started right up. Went about 20-30 miles. Got it up to 55ish. Rough idle. Wednesday PM: Picked up Jeep. Started right up. Drove it home (1/4 mile). Rough idle. Thursday AM: Started the Jeep. Took about 10 trys. Adjusted the 2 screws to increase the idle. Drove about 1 mile. Rough running. Seemed to lose power at about 2000 RPM. Adjust screws again. Went about another mile. Lost power at abot 1500 RPM. Went 1 more mile. Turned off engine. The engine diesled for about 15-20 seconds (never did this before). Got Coke. Tried to start it again but it wouldn't start. Bought starter fluid. Got it started with the starter fluid (Idles great). Adjusted srews again. Drove it back home. Was only able to get 5-10MPH up a slight rise. Made it home and killed engine. Dieseled 15-20 seconds.

I'm gonna try fixing this this weekend. I will keep the fuel filter idea in mind. I just think I mucked up the choke. It idles great but loses power when driving. I really wanted to drive my new Jeep :-(

It's the choke.

Thanks Mike... I'll get a little grease on me this weekend and give you and update... Been home bound (wife seems to think she's allowed to have a life and leaves me at home with the 7-month old after work!)

The sol vac is only working if you have an automatic or AC. It is there to bump up the idle when it goes in gear or loads down from AC.

Mike

Joe wrote:

The jeep still takes a long time to start in the morning. Yesterday, I got it running and ran it for about 1/2 hour. Got ot nice and hot. Let it sit for about 3 hours and tried to start it. It started right up. This morning it takes abunch or tries to get it started again. Any ideas?

Also, when it is running, I can't get it over 45MPH. It starts to sputter and lose a lot of power at about 1500RPM in 5th, 2000 RPM in 4th, etc. Any ideas? I may just get her into a jeep mechanic and have them fix it...

Well, guy, I gave you very good ideas, one of which is likely the trouble on my first reply to you saying what you were driving.

Asking the same question different ways isn't going to change my answer.

Mike

Joe wrote:

I know. I mean to go back a re-read everything you posted... just haven't had the time. I appreciate your help.

intermittent

There are lots of very knowledgeable folks on this group.

Sometimes you just have to sit back and digest what was said, especially when you are excited about a new Jeep. ;-)

I always recommend cheap and easy fixes before going out and blowing money needlessly.

A fuel filter is in the 5 buck range and a new crimp fitting for the choke is a buck.

Mike

Joe wrote:

"excited about a new Jeep" Bingo! I feel like a kid...

"A fuel filter is in the 5 buck range and a new crimp fitting for the choke is a buck" I replaced the fuel filter ($4.99 before tax). Distributer cap and rotors were worn so I did them today (Less than $10). I have some hoses that are suspect, a missing cold air induction duct, missing PCV Filter and other little nickle and dime things to work on while I fix the major issue... I'm taking the time now to read this thread and figure out what a "crimp fitting for the choke" is :-)

BTW, I'm a computer guy not a mechanic. Once I know what the problem is I can usually fix it (I've kept my riding mower and chainsaw going for years with some major repairs so I have some hope here... LOL)

Yesterday, I

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The electric plug on the choke could be corroded and need a new crimp on or solder on spade connector.

Mike

Joe wrote:

Ah! Will check again tomorrow for corrosion. Will also double check that fuel filter is on correctly.

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