My little Postal Jeep is running bad. It is a 1984 DJ5 with a four banger. This morning it started right up and ran great, as it normally does. I coast up to a stop sign, it starts to run really rough, and stalls. Once I start it up, it runs terrible, won't stay running without me holding the gas pedal down, and is smoking like crazy. This smoke is grey, and smells like gas fumes, as opposed to oil, or anti-freeze. Any ideas? The plugs are new, as is the cap, wires, coil and a variety of other unrelated parts.

Did you lose a plug wire?

Misfire or no fire in a cylinder is my guess.

Slipped timing belt/chain??

Originally posted by Grendel
Did you lose a plug wire?

Misfire or no fire in a cylinder is my guess.

I changed the plugs, and the wires were all in place. My regular mechanic suggests a stuck, or bad float. Going to get into the easier stuff first, and get into the carb this weekend.

I personally would bet your choke is stuck.. That would be the first thing to check..

Hi Craig,

Here's a few things to check:

Fuel filter of fuel impurities
Choke
Vacuum leak at the carb, intake manifold or vacuum hose connector
Air filter, or air restriction
Dirty carb, or adjustments
Low fuel pressure (if it's hesitating or stumbles)
Sticky or faulty emission part

Since you mentioned "smells like gas fumes", check the charcoal cannister filter in the evaporative emissions control system to see if it's clogged, or a vapor leaks in the same area.

Joe

From his description of things it ran fine when he started it but as it warmed up(driving to the stop sign) and he let off the throttle it started running bad.. That would be a choke that was not opening up..


Also the smell of gas would be because the engine is loading up and unburned fuel is going out the exhaust..

Originally posted by hy_desert_4wheeler
From his description of things it ran fine when he started it but as it warmed up(driving to the stop sign) and he let off the throttle it started running bad.. That would be a choke that was not opening up..


Also the smell of gas would be because the engine is loading up and unburned fuel is going out the exhaust..

I should have mentioned this earlier, but it has a manual choke. Sorry about that.