OT - Fuel injection problems. '00 Jeep Cherokee
01-12-2004, 10:02 PM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
OT - Fuel injection problems. '00 Jeep Cherokee
My sister bought a used '00 Jeep Cherokee Sport from the dealer in August. Up until about 2 weeks ago its been running fine. The check engine light came on and she took it too the dealer to see what the problem was. They told her (for $90..damn crooks!) that the fuel injectors were becoming clogged, and mentioned something about decarbonization. The also said that the gas cap may have not been put on correctly causing depressurization of the system, though i suggested this already...and its not the problem.
The tech said that it was likley caused by alot of 'stop and go driving', which makes sense because she drives the car about 1 mile to the train-station and back for work. The dealer quoted her $200 for the job, not including labor (which is like $90 an hour). The problem apparently is not under warrenty as its a 'Fuel related' problem. She ran two bottles of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner on a long 10 hour round trip drive. She said that the light was off the entire time during the trip. Recently the light just came back on.
My father plans to run a stronger solvent through the system at his garage to try and clean the injectors (probably what the dealer would have done, only for $200 more. Basically its a pressure system that taps into one of the main vaccum hoses. Engine is reved to about 3000rpm and the solvent is released into the hose where its sucked into the engine to clean the injectors. He would rather not clean the injectors by hand as its alot of work to get done.
Any other ideas on what could be done to stop this problem? My father also suggested running a bottle of the cheaper (STP injection cleaner) fuel injection cleaner with every tank, as the stuffs only like a $1.50 a bottle when you buy a case.
The tech said that it was likley caused by alot of 'stop and go driving', which makes sense because she drives the car about 1 mile to the train-station and back for work. The dealer quoted her $200 for the job, not including labor (which is like $90 an hour). The problem apparently is not under warrenty as its a 'Fuel related' problem. She ran two bottles of Chevron Techron fuel injector cleaner on a long 10 hour round trip drive. She said that the light was off the entire time during the trip. Recently the light just came back on.
My father plans to run a stronger solvent through the system at his garage to try and clean the injectors (probably what the dealer would have done, only for $200 more. Basically its a pressure system that taps into one of the main vaccum hoses. Engine is reved to about 3000rpm and the solvent is released into the hose where its sucked into the engine to clean the injectors. He would rather not clean the injectors by hand as its alot of work to get done.
Any other ideas on what could be done to stop this problem? My father also suggested running a bottle of the cheaper (STP injection cleaner) fuel injection cleaner with every tank, as the stuffs only like a $1.50 a bottle when you buy a case.
01-12-2004, 11:04 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Connersville IN
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Fuel injector cleaner is a waste of time. Go to Zone and get them to scan it for free (they have OBD2 scanners) and PM me the code number (generic or chrysler specific I'll get on my genisys and look it up. Is it misfiring? obd2 will set a misfire code. If you want you can check the the impedance of the injectors with a multimeter and verify that none of them are dead. they should all be pretty close on resistance, check at the 2 terminals. I am a driveability specialist at my shop. I have a spare 01 jeep fuel rail and injectors around somewhere from a motor job as well as a extra coil pack set up. If I was your sister I would've stayed away from the Jeep we see alot of them in here and the newer ones are a PITA to work on. But then again what isn't! let me know I'll be glad to help if I can!
01-13-2004, 12:12 AM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
badcoupe, thanks alot for the offer. I researched the car even further (amazing what information you can find out about a car from reading through their specific forums...who would have known!). I found this answer to the problem, same exact symptoms, and amazingly the same exact run-around.
"Anyways in the two years that we have had it the engine light came on and the engine needed a 100 dollar service to clean the fuel injectors. The mechanic explained that these engines have the intake manifold right over the top of the exhaust manifold and if you use high test gas the gas carbonizes in the intake and clogs the fuel system. He was aware of this problem and said this is particularly bad for 2001 Jeep and worsened by emissions. He also explained that if you drive the Jeep and it shuts off it voids the warranty. "
"Anyways in the two years that we have had it the engine light came on and the engine needed a 100 dollar service to clean the fuel injectors. The mechanic explained that these engines have the intake manifold right over the top of the exhaust manifold and if you use high test gas the gas carbonizes in the intake and clogs the fuel system. He was aware of this problem and said this is particularly bad for 2001 Jeep and worsened by emissions. He also explained that if you drive the Jeep and it shuts off it voids the warranty. "
