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redlaredo
Novice
May 8, 2008, 8:28 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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I have a 91 cherokee laredo, 260k+, 4.0, straight 6 automatic, 4wd. It runs fine outside a few quirks, but when there is a heavy rain or i drive through puddle, the engine will sputter for the next couple of hours. it will still run, but acceleration is difficult. any advice?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 8, 2008, 8:35 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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The first likely problem items are the high voltage items like plugs, wires, cap, rotor and coil(s).. Sometimes you can see them "arcing" when dark or perhaps plain sight now. Note: The longer you run an engine that is misfiring for any reason the harder it is on you convert(s) up to killing them and o2 sensors,
T
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redlaredo
Novice
May 8, 2008, 8:40 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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i dont understand...what plugs, wires, caps, rotars, coils are you talking about and what is wrong with them? what do you mean arcing? are you saying those things are getting wet and therefore causing some kind of problem?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 8, 2008, 8:49 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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Electricity just naturally seeks the easiest way to ground. In car's ignition system the high voltage of the items metioned need to insulate that charge to fire the spark plugs. If it doesn't get there or leaks between any errantly it won't fire properly or sometimes at all.
All but about distilled water conducts electricity. Ever see the warnings about using electric things in or near water even at home?
Temporarily spraying some WD-40 (water displacement is what the WD stands for) can correct the problem especially in near invisable cracks or carbon traces on any of those parts.
The dampness could be affecting something else electrical. The most sensitive is the ignition and it's components,
T
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redlaredo
Novice
May 8, 2008, 8:55 AM
Post #5 of 8
(3494 views)
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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i appreciate your advice and insight, but im not really sure about what your telling me to do. just spray some wd40 on some stuff? spray it on what/where? if that is the temporary solution, whats the long term solution. if i wanted to take it off-road im afraid id have some trouble with it stalling and/or possibly dying after getting wet+
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 8, 2008, 9:10 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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WD-40 is a maybe for a temp fix and just might as it seems to correct when dry again.
You would spray on distributor cap, coil tower(s) and along spark plug wires. It's flammable so best done with cooler engine and don't aim at hot exhaust parts especially.
That is as old as the product by brand but sold as "wire drier" still I think under assorted brands. For the most part the brand WD-40 won't hurt anything - can't speak for others.
The fix is to replace the items that have the faults. No patch I know of will last,
T
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redlaredo
Novice
May 8, 2008, 9:19 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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how do i know which part(s) are causing the problem?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 8, 2008, 10:00 AM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Wet Weather Jeep Problem
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If it is jumping electricity out of a wire or between them or at the cap you may see it as a spark. When you have the problem you could just spray one item at a time and the one(s) that make it correct the problem should be replaced. If you find a plug wire that has a spot rubbing thru or something like that on a budget you can get just one wire.
The other way to find WHICH item is causing it is to spray plain salt (table) water on suspect parts when it's running well and the one(s) that make it repeat the problem may show right up for you.
It may not be the high voltage ignition stuff at all and could be wiring to some other sensor usually at a plug/connector that is weak or making a poor connection.
You said you can get this problem right away from hitting a puddle so anything that might get wet from that is highly suspect. Many vehciles won't wet the engine much or at all with ordinary puddles.
If you want my guess on which part right now I'd blame the distributor cap. They get hairline cracks sometimes from being shocked with cold water on a hot brittle plastic part and will behave when dry again and misbehave when wet again.
Note: Problems when moisture is the trigger are almost always electrical and not mechanical problems,
T
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