Nasty Miss and Scared of tha cold

[Mavawreck]

new to jeeps, 89 G wagoneer doesnt like to start when its cold, Ive heard that your supposed to turn the ignition on and push the pedal to the floor to activate the electric choke, is this true and how can I be sure it is working? It also needs tune up bad and Ive heard that there are problems with the wires arcing throught the insulation if they are run improperly which could cause a miss. How should they be run? Also have an exhaust leak, diagnosing tips?.Any help would be apprecited.

[Smooshy]

I always replace the plugs, wires, cap and rotor on a "new" jeep unless of course everything looks new. Get quality wires, not cheapies...

[Rande]

When you start the truck push the pedal to the floor and release it. This gives the engine a shot of gas through the accelerator pump on the carb and allows the choke to reset. When you shut the engine down after driving, the choke ends up open as the engine is warm. When the engine cools off, the choke cannot reset itself because it is linked to the throttle. When you push in the accelerator pedal, the choke linkage disengages itself from the throttle linkage and resets. That, with the shot of gas from the accelerator pump sets the engine for starting.

When you get into a vehicle with electronic fuel injection, you don't do this. With those engines, just turn the key, the computer does the rest.

To check the choke for operation, look at it when the engine is cold, it should be closed. Start the engine and allow it to reach full operating temperature and look at it again. It should be open.

When sparkplugs get old or coated with build-up, the resistance to the spark jumping the gap is greatly increased and the spark will take the path of least resistance and that may be through the wires instead of along them to the plug. You must keep the wires away from anything that can chafe through them or burn through them, such as the exhaust manifolds. Exhaust leaks can burn through the wires also.

If you are trying to locate an exhaust leak, use the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels. Put it to your ear and point it at the exhaust manifold and move along the manifold to hear where it is coming from. It may be at the engine or at the joint to the exhaust pipe. You might need to tape two tubes together for a longer tube. The air injection tubes going into the manifold have a tendency to rust out, they may be the source of the leak. The air diverter valve could also be the leak.

Welcome to the wonderful world of FSJs (you may want to give a psychiatrist a generous retainer) marrying the daughter of a NAPA dealer is recommended. ;)

[turtle jim]

Hi BobthaBuilder,
Welcome to the board!
Before you try to start the Wag,open the hood,take off the air cleaner,and look at the choke plate in the carb.It should be open,that is the vertical position.Depress the acclerater pedal once,and check the position of the choke plate.Should now be in the horizonal,or closed position.Choke plate will tend to open after a few minutes of ignition being on.Can be tested without engine running.
Hard to run Wag plug wires without them touching anything.Old wires could be worn to the point where they "leak".Test by opening hood in a very dark place with engine running."Leaking" or arcing should be visible.

[Mavawreck]

Thank yall very much for the help