Hesitation...Help...

[arbi]

Greetings,

Last week, I wrote to the group, that I had taken my 83 Chief to a mechanic, and that they had done a poor job on it. I took it back last monday, and picked it up on saturday, and it's still not running right!!! The guy didnt even charge me for his work, and he said he couldnt figure out what was wrong with it.

So now, I'm on my own...with a sick Chero...to take care of...
Here are the symptoms...

Note: Prior to me taking it in for a "tune-up"..my cherokee ran great, and had none of these problems...

1. Under slight accelerator...it hesitates.....and almost stalls...
2. It lacks the power it used to have..before I took it in..and seems to run hotter...
3.In FWY speeds...it feels like the power comes and goes...at constant accelerator pedal....
4. He said he had rebuilt the carb...
5. timing is right...
according to him..it could be the timing chain..but I"m thinking..how can that happen suddenly??
6. When I took it in..his appretice said they had found lots of "misrouted" vacume hoses..and they re routed them for me..so the engine runs "right"...

ANy ideas would be greately appreciated...

tnx

-arbi

[Veepster]

I would bet it is vaccuum lines......get a schematic and check the routing yourself...

[reddog]

Veepster is correct, start with making sure all vacuum lines are routed correctly. Check the timing and make sure it is set correctly. Third would be the carb. Is it 4 barrel? In the future you may consider doing tune-ups yourself :D

Kerry

[arbi]

Thanks for the replies...

I have the stock 2-barrel carb...
Where can I get a vacuum diagram?

ALso..I think I need a Technical SHop Manual..pronto...
Where can I order one?

tnx

-arbi

[Snakeyes_Tx]

No one *ever* remembers to ask you about stuff like this... I think I'm the only person in this whole forum who ever had this problem.

Maybe clogged catalytic converter? Easy test is to unbolt your Y-pip a little bit to let air leak out thee donut area to relieve some pressure. IF it runs night and day better, then you know what to change. I have an 83 Wagoneer Limited. I'll try to get you a picture of my vacuum diagram.

[Lindel]

First off, look at the vacuum hoses, like everyone else has said, and pay particular attention to the vacuum line that goes to the power valve. If the vacuum and emission lines are in good shape, and where they belong, it's time to look at the carburetor. I'd be willing to bet you've got a mixture of vacuum lines and carburetor problems, especially since your "mechanic" touched both!!

BTW, I'd find another mechanic, one that knows what he's doing, this guy shafted you. Sorry to have to tell you that, but that's the way I see it.

[arbi]

I'll look into the Cat.
Regarding the mechanic situation..
this guy came highly recommended. He's a jeeper himself..owns a CJ5 and a CJ7. He goes to jeeping outings..and has been doing this for 25 years...so I dont know where to find a better refrence for a mechanic....
So I've decided...from now on...I do ALL the work on my vehicles....w/o exception..
since I've never had a good experiance with mechanics...


Anyway....I need to get a TSM Asap though..so if anyone knows where I can get one...please let me know..


tnx

-arbi

[Bob Barry]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by arbi:
I'll look into the Cat.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OK, man, but watch out: they scratch!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Regarding the mechanic situation..
this guy came highly recommended. He's a jeeper himself..owns a CJ5 and a CJ7. He goes to jeeping outings..and has been doing this for 25 years...so I dont know where to find a better refrence for a mechanic....
So I've decided...from now on...I do ALL the work on my vehicles....w/o exception..
since I've never had a good experiance with mechanics...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And thus is born another future FSJ Guru... ;)

[reddog]

Do you have a sticker with the vacuum diagram on the radiator support?? I have an 84 MR 253. I forget - where are you at in LA?? Email me. Maybe I could get you a copy of the diagram out of the manual. I suspect the 83 and 84 are the same. Hey what don't you let us know who the mechanic is so that we can make a more informed choice if we EVER use a "professional" mech. I would disagree with the Snake, if it ran fine before it was "fixed" then the cat should be ok.

Kerry

[arbi]

Well,

I have a sticker of the vacuum lines on the inside of the hood..I'm going to try and trace it using that....and maybe put new vacuum hoses all around.
The mechanic is a real nice guy...but none the less, I was a really disappointed...when he gave me my cherokee back..in worse condition than when he received it...

The shop is CJ's Offroad, and they are very friendly and approachable nice folks....and I really dont mean to be scornefull about the whole situation...but the truth is...they really did screw up my chero...nice or not!

-arbi

[JINGA]

Definitely look at those vac lines.

I bought my TSM as a reprint from some guy. I'll have to find his info. I paid $75 which I thought was a good deal until Haynes put out new manuals. My 1997 Haynes manual is excellent ($12). But the Haynes doesn't have the vacuum diagrams, so you'll need to find those somewhere.


Every time I tune my Jeep up "by the book" it runs like crap. If I let a mechanic touch it, it runs like crap. Basically it does a lot of what you're saying, especially the hesitation.

If I go by the book, my engine almost stalls at a red light. I have to add 50-100rpm at idle to keep it running.
I use a timing light to get the spark close to where it's supposed to be, and then if I don't like the way it drives, I move it back and forth until I like it. Nothing scientific (although it could be), just trial and error.

In the end, my Jeep has two modes:
1) Pass emissions mode
2) Drive okay mode

HTH,
Jeff

[arbi]

Greetings,

I checked the vacuum hoses per the sticker in the engine bay, and they're way off!!
I wanted start re routing the lines...but I cant recognize half the components listed on the diagram. I checked my Hains and Chilton's manuals, but they dont have a picture of the components either.

Any help would be greately appreciated.

Also, I need to buy a timing light, and would like one with an RPM display...any inputs as to where to buy one (preferably used) and what brands would be great too.

tnx for all the help guys...


-arbi

[reddog]

If you drop me an email with where you are at I could mail you a copy of the 84 diagram. Unless someone has ripped the vacuum stuff up MOST of it kinda stays where the factory put it. If you would like drop me a line and I could give you a call and maybe I could talk you through some of it or we could hook up and go over it together.

Kerry

[JINGA]

I bought a diagnostic-box-thingy from Sears that reads rpms and dwell and maybe some other stuff. It's been handy on a few autos. It was about $50 IIRC.

I've been through a half dozen timing lights in my life. Usually get smashed or stolen, only one had the bulb burn out, and then I lost it before I could replace the bulb. My latest one is also from Sears and has a vacuum advance checker thing built in. It's a little knobby on the back of the light that allows you to do some serious analysis of the distributor. It only cost a few extra bucks (maybe $35 or $40 total, don't remember). I've yet to use it, but I sure feel good knowing I own it! ;)

What I'm trying to say is: I bought two separate tools and I'm happy with them both. Both are multifunctional and have the potential of long service for many vehicles.