Strange Problem With Jeep - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

JeepManInNJ · 09-02-2002, 11:56 AM

I have unusual problem with my Jeep and has gone on for some time and basically driving me crazy trying to figure it out. It runs sweet on the highway but as soon as I take it off road it starts to run very rough. Stalling out, backfiring etc. I'm not sure if it is from something getting wet or not. I'm assuming it is and looking for help/suggestions what to start looking for or at. It's been doing this for a while now and I've replaced rotor, cap wires plugs and ignition module. Any help appreciated before I lose my mind...It's a 78 CJ5 with 360 V8, T150

Maine Jeepah · 09-02-2002, 01:53 PM

What carb you running?

Sounds like an advance, or carb issue to me. But what do I know.

OFFROAD= dirt roads? bumpy dirt roads? offcamber? up hill? down hill? Or just as soon as it leaves pavement?

MJ

cj8scrambld · 09-02-2002, 02:14 PM

Tricky one...sounds like terrafirmaphobia to me!

JeepManInNJ · 09-02-2002, 02:41 PM

It's the Motorcraft 2100 2 barrel I think. Why would it only act up off road?

"D" · 09-02-2002, 02:50 PM

weak float springs maybe?

landusepbb · 09-02-2002, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeepManInNJ
It's the Motorcraft 2100 2 barrel I think. Why would it only act up off road?

Float level too high.

JeepManInNJ · 09-02-2002, 06:48 PM

If the float level is too high, is the bouncing around off road causing it to have these problems? I can lower the float level and see what happens, but don't understand why this would make a difference?

I'm not sure I understand why it has no problems on the street but does on the dirt?? It runs great till I go off road. I know it sounds nuts but this is what is going on...grimlins???

ItsaCJ6 · 09-02-2002, 06:50 PM

could be loose wiring ............

JeepManInNJ · 09-02-2002, 07:09 PM

I've checked wiring to the coil and it is ok. What other wiring should I look at?

webjeep · 09-02-2002, 07:41 PM

what exactly are you doing when it gets stupid?

are you just bouncing, or did you just go through a big puddle or what?

-web

Lil'BlackCJ · 09-02-2002, 08:13 PM

check vacuum before you spend any cash. I know you said it only acts up off road but think about it, you are going way slower off road and with less rpm then you ever do on highway

JeepManInNJ · 09-02-2002, 08:15 PM

It seems to happen more often after going through water. It has happened just driving down flat trail wit hsome whoops. It's got me totally at a loss to figure out. Thought someone on here may have had a similar problem. If it does it more after going through water, what should I be checking? How can I rule out Carb short of changing it? I would think that a card problem would happen all the time?

jeepgoldeneagle · 09-03-2002, 07:29 AM

I have been through a lot of the same troubles with mine...First thing I'd check, is the carb. Pull it off the intake take it apart and clean the mess out of it. More than likely there is a ton of crap in it. Buy a new fuel filter as well. Chances are when you are bouncing around you are moving the dirt around in the carb. Even if you have never done anything like taking a carb apart, they are relatively easy so don't shy away...Good Luck. (You might also feel as though you have gained about 20 hp too.

Jakesteramalamajama · 09-03-2002, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeepManInNJ
It seems to happen more often after going through water. It has happened just driving down flat trail wit hsome whoops. It's got me totally at a loss to figure out. Thought someone on here may have had a similar problem. If it does it more after going through water, what should I be checking? How can I rule out Carb short of changing it? I would think that a card problem would happen all the time?

Runs bad after being in the water = Probably a wet distributor/wires/ignition module. Dry it out and seal off the problem area (dielectric grease on both ends of the plug wires helps, so does spraying them with a little WaterDisplacement 40.) If it's the ignition module, get a new one.

Runs bad after bumps = floats too high or possibly one is stuck. Adjust/rebuild the carb as necessary. A little foam in the bowls (below the floats) helps to prevent splashing.

HTH,
Jake

JeepManInNJ · 09-03-2002, 11:25 AM

I've replaced the ignition module already and same problem exists. Going to take carb off tonight and clean out real good and check floats. If that doesn't solve problem I'm looking to replace carb and go from there. I'll try the water proofing advise too. Short of these I don't know what else to do or try...

Jakesteramalamajama · 09-03-2002, 11:32 AM

I'd dry out/seal up the distributor first. 9 times outta 10 that's the culprit in a runs-shitty-after-getting-wet type of situation.

If you have a vacuum advance arm that you need to seal around, a dollop of dielectric grease can help there too. It seals out the water, but still allows the arm to move in and out of the distributor. I had this problem on my old 258 until I sealed it up.

HTH,
Jake

09-02-2002, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	Strange Problem With Jeep I have unusual problem with my Jeep and has gone on for some time and basically driving me crazy trying to figure it out. It runs sweet on the highway but as soon as I take it off road it starts to run very rough. Stalling out, backfiring etc. I'm not sure if it is from something getting wet or not. I'm assuming it is and looking for help/suggestions what to start looking for or at. It's been doing this for a while now and I've replaced rotor, cap wires plugs and ignition module. Any help appreciated before I lose my mind...It's a 78 CJ5 with 360 V8, T150 __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-02-2002, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	It's the Motorcraft 2100 2 barrel I think. Why would it only act up off road? __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-02-2002, 06:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	If the float level is too high, is the bouncing around off road causing it to have these problems? I can lower the float level and see what happens, but don't understand why this would make a difference? I'm not sure I understand why it has no problems on the street but does on the dirt?? It runs great till I go off road. I know it sounds nuts but this is what is going on...grimlins??? __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-02-2002, 06:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
ItsaCJ6 Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Aug 2001 Member # 6340 Location: Telluride CO, within site of of Black Bear Pass Posts: 3,929 Blog Entries: 10	could be loose wiring ............ __________________ Marc In what appears to have been an understatement, the plant operator described the situation at the Number 4 reactor as "not so good." Super conversion calculator website Love and kisses, Zaphod..

09-02-2002, 07:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	I've checked wiring to the coil and it is ok. What other wiring should I look at? __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-02-2002, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Maine Jeepah Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5060 Location: Mass-o-two-shits Posts: 1,170	What carb you running? Sounds like an advance, or carb issue to me. But what do I know. OFFROAD= dirt roads? bumpy dirt roads? offcamber? up hill? down hill? Or just as soon as it leaves pavement? MJ

09-02-2002, 02:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
cj8scrambld Rock God Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 343 Location: Conway, MA US Posts: 1,948	Tricky one...sounds like terrafirmaphobia to me!

09-02-2002, 02:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
"D" Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4835 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 440	weak float springs maybe?

09-02-2002, 07:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
webjeep Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 13003 Location: Virginia Posts: 52	what exactly are you doing when it gets stupid? are you just bouncing, or did you just go through a big puddle or what? -web __________________ 78 CJ-5, undergoing frame off resto/mod, 360 w/custom mounts, t-150, 20, stock running gear

09-02-2002, 08:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lil'BlackCJ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12747 Location: Beale AFB just north of Sacramento Posts: 147	check vacuum before you spend any cash. I know you said it only acts up off road but think about it, you are going way slower off road and with less rpm then you ever do on highway __________________ With friends like you guys, who needs enemas.

09-02-2002, 08:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	It seems to happen more often after going through water. It has happened just driving down flat trail wit hsome whoops. It's got me totally at a loss to figure out. Thought someone on here may have had a similar problem. If it does it more after going through water, what should I be checking? How can I rule out Carb short of changing it? I would think that a card problem would happen all the time? __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-03-2002, 07:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
jeepgoldeneagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13408 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 25	I have been through a lot of the same troubles with mine...First thing I'd check, is the carb. Pull it off the intake take it apart and clean the mess out of it. More than likely there is a ton of crap in it. Buy a new fuel filter as well. Chances are when you are bouncing around you are moving the dirt around in the carb. Even if you have never done anything like taking a carb apart, they are relatively easy so don't shy away...Good Luck. (You might also feel as though you have gained about 20 hp too. __________________ '78 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle 360ci, NV4500, Dana 300 twin stick, Dana 30 Fr. ARB, AMC 20 one pieces and detroit in Rear both with 4.10 gears

09-03-2002, 11:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
JeepManInNJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11308 Location: Pine Barrens of Beautiful South Jersey Posts: 31	I've replaced the ignition module already and same problem exists. Going to take carb off tonight and clean out real good and check floats. If that doesn't solve problem I'm looking to replace carb and go from there. I'll try the water proofing advise too. Short of these I don't know what else to do or try... __________________ '78 CJ-5, 360 V8, T-150, Lockrights, 4" Suspension Lift, 3" Body Lift, 33" Super Swampers, One Piece Axles, Warn 8000 '96 ZJ, 318 V8, Up Country Package, Trac Loc, 30" BFG/AT...Yes it goes off road!! [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/pinebarrenadv.htm]Pine Barren Adventures[/URL] [URL=http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mchumley3/jerseyjeeper.htm]Jersey Jeepers[/URL]

09-03-2002, 11:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jakesteramalamajama Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5577 Location: Nowhere Posts: 1,783	I'd dry out/seal up the distributor first. 9 times outta 10 that's the culprit in a runs-shitty-after-getting-wet type of situation. If you have a vacuum advance arm that you need to seal around, a dollop of dielectric grease can help there too. It seals out the water, but still allows the arm to move in and out of the distributor. I had this problem on my old 258 until I sealed it up. HTH, Jake __________________ It's all here before your eyes / Safety is a big disguise / That hides among the other lies

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