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Jeep Cherokee
2588 messages, Last post on Feb 05, 2013 at 5:31 PM
You are in the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee Forum.What is this discussion about? Jeep Cherokee, SUV
#762 of 2588 Timing chain? by joshjeep
Aug 18, 2002 (5:26 pm)
Hi everyone--I have a question about my 1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4 4.0 6cyl...this vehicle has 158,000 miles on it and has never given me a minute's trouble (knock on wood). Excuse my ignorance, but does this vehicle have a timing CHAIN that needs to be checked/replaced at this stage? I have had the serpentine belt replaced, but I am unclear as to whether this vehicle has a timing chain. The owner's manual says nothing about a timing chain. Can someone help? THANKS
#763 of 2588 timing chain by vin_weasel
Aug 18, 2002 (7:48 pm)
You do have one and the only information I can find between my Haynes and my FSM for an '01 is that you can take the cover off on the block and check the chain for deflection by moving the chain side to side. My Haynes says that if it moves more than 1/2 inch the chain and sprockets should be replaced.BTW, both the Haynes and FSM don't mention ever checking the timing chain but the FSM only goes up to 120k miles and the Haynes uses 30k mile intervals to check the same things.
#764 of 2588 Leaky Transmission by shucknet
Aug 19, 2002 (1:53 pm)
Just bought a 1990 Cherokee 4x4 with the I4.0L engine - has 148,000 miles. Drives nice, except for a "minor" detail. The transmission leaks like a sieve when the fluid gets heated up. Is this a common problem for these? It appears to be the front seal, but I can't quite tell for sure.Thoughts?
#765 of 2588 Leaky Transmission by vin_weasel
Aug 19, 2002 (7:45 pm)
It's ATF and not Oil, right? I've heard of problems with the rear main seal that can go after a while but that usually results in oil loss. I don't believe the replacement job is too hard, it's just dirty and the seal has to be on just right.#766 of 2588 timing chain by imaginos
Aug 20, 2002 (8:28 am)
The timing chain is not as critical in this engine as in other newer technology engines (OHC). This engine is not an "interference" engine, like Honda engines (for example). This means that if the timing chain breaks, it will simply quit running - and will not damage the motor. However, if the timing belt breaks in an "interference" engine, it will crash the valves into the pistons and engine death occurs. That is why you have to change the timing belt every 60K miles on a Honda or even a Toyota Tacoma etc, etc, etc, as they all have interference engines.My 1997 Sport has 50K miles and I've never checked it, and don't plan to unless it breaks or I hit 150K miles, or stops running well.
BTW - vin weasel - I did lose my rear main seal at about 30K miles. Pissed me off quite a bit, just barely got it in under my 36 month warranty - I had to teach the dealer how to know it was the rear main seal. They tried to tell me it was engine "sweat". Dealers are idiots. I think this could have been caused from pulling a boat with it a lot, increasing crank case pressure, and eventually blowing out the seal.
Installed Rancho RSX shocks a few weeks ago. They seem OK, still rides rough, but handles large obstacles on mountain roads very well. Still sucks at washboards - can't even control it. But I think that is the case will all Cherokees - my friends Civic could outdrive the crap out of me on 40 miles of dirt road washboards. It must be soft enough to keep the wheels on the ground - unlike my Cherokee....
#767 of 2588 washboards & rear main seal by vin_weasel
Aug 20, 2002 (9:46 am)
How much fluid was your engine losing? What kind was it? Do you think it could leak transmission fluid from there? I don't have a heck of a lot of experience with them.My first real experience with washboard in the Jeep was coming home one night on a gravel road going about 90km/h. I hit some big washboard and the vehicle went sideways on me. I quickly regained control and slowed down. I've never had a vehicle do that to me before, but then again I never had a Solid Axle Jeep. I know now to avoid the rough stuff at high speed or to at least slow down a bunch. I think softer valved shocks, like Old Man Emu, might help lessen the effects or maybe the adjustible Ranchos. I have no problems going at speed down some of the forest trails. The vehicle eats up the larger bumps fairly well and I never feel like I'm loosing control.
#768 of 2588 Cherokee mileage by vanleighton
Aug 20, 2002 (12:41 pm)
Could anyone tell me what kind of mileage they are getting with the 4.0Liter engine? I'm interested in highway, in-town, and combination. I'm considering trading in my thirsty Liberty for another 4WD. Thanks in advance....#769 of 2588 I average by sebring95
Aug 20, 2002 (3:08 pm)
between 19-20mpg with mainly highway/commuting. Probably 80% highway, 20% city. On long all-highway trips I can get around 24mpg. I'm pretty hard on the throttle most of the time and run 75mph usually. I'm sure 65mph and sensible driving would make things a bit better:)#770 of 2588 vin weasel & vanleighton by imaginos
Aug 20, 2002 (5:04 pm)
Vin:1997 Sport 4x4 5sp. There was engine oil dripping down the bell housing. Just enough to make a drip in the driveway evey now and then. I think most of it was blowing off while driving, but that area was always "wet". I never lost enough between oil changes to even add oil, but I don't like to own vehicles that drip oil.....plus I got it in under warranty. I really don't think you could have tranny fluid leak down the front of the bell housing. It's just too far in front of the tranny box (at least on the 5 sp.).
More washboards: Same deal, it'll walk sideways and you'll loose some control until you are off of the bumps or off the road and rolled! I think it's a Jeep thing, a combination of stiff suspension, stiff shocks, short wheelbase and solid front axle. My Rancho RSX shocks are auto-adjustable, but perhaps the 9000 series fully manual adjustable shocks would help - you can make them really soft or really stiff. Like you said, it does fine on larger more isolated bumps and rocks, but those washboards make the whole Jeep go into some sort of resonant oscillation - sucks....
vanleighton:
Mileage - I have every tank of gas documented since it was new, but have only added up the statistics for the first four years (97 to 01). My driving is 80% very short (1-3) mile trips to and from work and 20% actually highway trips. About 7% would be pulling a boat as well, so that will bring the averages down some. Also, keep in mind it is a 5 speed tranny:
Total average for four years all conditions is 17.01 mpg with a standard deviation of 2.47 mpg. Best mileage tank of gas was 22.4 mpg (of course with no boat and all highway miles). Worst mileage tank of gas was 9.8 mpg (all pulling a boat with a lot of hills). Also, I live at about 4500 feet elevation which may be why I never see this 24 mpg stuff that people talk of. I just can't believe anyone gets 24 mpg out of that 4.0 L engine!!!! You are lucky...
Hope this helps.
#771 of 2588 Fuel Economy by boggse
Aug 21, 2002 (5:25 am)
I get about 18-19 in the city. On long trips I get 24 if I keep it below 75mph. It seems once I hit 75 it drops to about 20-22. Maybe an aerodynamic limit?To POST a message, please
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