Help needed for my 4cyl.

[wrecked]

I have a 4cyl engine in my 88 cherokee. I've actually never driven the jeep, but my sister wanted to wheel with us so I figured it was a good starting point as it was very cheap.

Now the trouble is I dont know anything about engines. It was more so dumped onto me, as I was hoping to take the transfer case out of it. I found another case and now I have the complete truck. I don't know where to start on this thing. I know its only running off 2 cyclinders.
Would there maybe be anyone interested in pointing me in the right direction?
I'm not sure the truck is worth me putting money into a rebuilt engine.

-Kevin

 

[Blkxjkrawler]

The first thing I would do would be a compression test to make sure that you dont have 2 dead holes. After that you can begin to trouble shoot why it is not running on all four cylinders. Isolate which cylinders are firing ok and which are not by unplugging injectors 1 at a time and listening for a change in the way the vehicle is running. if you can unplug a cylinder and there is no change then that is likely a problem cylinder. A little tune up would probably go a long way. When you have them out for the compression test replace the spark plugs (IF compression is good). Check the condition of the wires, cap and rotor and replace if needed. Good luck
Ryan

 

[wrecked]

Sweet. Thanks. Once I get it off the trailer tomorrow I'll try that.

I knew there was something else. I know that an AW4 can be put in an 88, but will it match up to the 4cyl motor?

-Kevin

 

[CW]

If it is only running on two cylinders then I would start by inspecting the plugs and wires, the wires should have no more than 10,000 ohms resistance per foot and if there are any obvious defects switch them out. Replace one wire at a time to make sure they stay in the right order ( the firing order is 1,2,3,4 counter clockwise). Replace the plugs because they are cheap, stick with champion RC-12LYC plugs gap them to .035 and use anti sieze on the theads and dialectric grease on the wire connections. You may also want to do a compression check while changing the plugs to make sure everything is fairly consistent. That is really all that could cause dead cylinders. Other than that change the oil, air filter, check all other fluids and see if that does the trick.

 

[KarlVP]

( the firing order is 1,2,3,4 counter clockwise). Replace the plugs because they are cheap, stick with champion RC-12LYC plugs gap them to .035 and use anti sieze on the theads and dialectric grease on the wire connections.

I agree with all that, but the firing order on the 2.5L I-4 is 1,3,4,2

 

[CW]

I agree with all that, but the firing order on the 2.5L I-4 is 1,3,4,2

My manual and the spec sheet at my work say that the 84-88 2.5L has a firing order of 1,2,3,4 clockwise and that the 89+ 2.5L has a firing order of 1,3,4,2 clockwise. :dunno: