Engine will not stay running/did not have power going up hill

Tiny
MACCLANCJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 1983 JEEP CJ7
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 7,406 MILES
Vehicle has been sitting for about a year. Ran prior to sitting it would start it up every few months. Seemed to idle fine. Started it up today, got it on the street and it did not make it two blocks before sputtering out. Would start right back up but when I come to a stop, it dies. Seemed to drive in first and second, until I stop. Got it out on the road way (45 mph) and could not get it to go over 35 mph. Pressed on the gas, but was not going anywhere. It has a 256 in-line 6 / 2BB Motorcraft carburetor. I can understand/grasp mechanics but I am not too experienced with it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Monday, May 15th, 2017 AT 1:11 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Send pics of both sides of the engine if you will (breather removed)

Look at all vacuum hoses for cracks, very loose, completely fell off.

Are you capable of tuning the carb correctly? (With my help!)

Got an Offy? Me too!

Have you messed with adjustments since the last time it ran well?

The Medic
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Monday, May 15th, 2017 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
MACCLANCJ7
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Medic,
Thanks for addressing my question. I will post some more pictures this evening after work. Please have patience with me, I have a wife and three kiddos still at home (18, 8, and 4). They think I exist solely for their entertainment.

I think I'm capable of tuning the carb with some assistance, I've never done it before but that never stopped me before.

I'm wondering if I need to clean/rebuilt it since it was sitting for so long. I only see a few vacuum ports on the carb one has a cover, one goes to the distributor. I have one vacuum port on the manifold which is hooked up to the PCV.

The only change I made concerning the engine since the last time I drove it was that I replaced the valve cover gasket and I connected the PCV valve to the vacuum port on the manifold. Before that it wasn't connected to anything. The day I posted the question, I replaced the fuel filter and the hose from the fuel pump to the fuel filter.

Just as a disclaimer to you, this is my first CJ7. I've wanted one since I was 17, I turned 40 and my wife let me get "the other girl" as she calls it. It wasn't suppose to be a project according to my wife but I knew better. I want it to be my daily driver. I drive roughly 40 miles round trip daily.

Most of what she has is what she came with. I'm still trying to figure out what everything is (brand/model) and document it. I won't say that the previous owner did everything right so if you see something that is wonky just say so, no offense will be taken and I'll admit if it was something I screwed up or if it came that way. It came with a Mr. Gasket Electric fuel pump that I removed (when it failed) and went back to the manual which was still mounted and still worked! I removed the electric radiator fan (also failed) and went to a flex fan. Sorry, I rabbit trail sometimes.

Anyway, for clarification, she will idle while cold, but once she warms up she doesn't want to stay going unless she's having her gas pedal pushed. If I stop the gas, she stops rumbling.
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Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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A first!

I have three 2carpros CJ-7s that are similar, all being answered presently!

First things

All ports not being used on the carb and manifold need a cap!

You DONE GOOD going back with the original ($20/ correct) Fuel Pump and the Mechanical fan. They work well/ last a long time. I keep a spare coil/ ignition module/ fuel pump/ in my Jeep at all times. Twice I've had to aid other roadside Jeeps with the later two. (They didn't expect I had parts and tools on board!)

At present, we will ASSUME (know what that means?) Your fuel pump is good, we can always circle back

I've answered a bunch of CJs on here, lots of good CJ MEDEVAC info floating in here on 2carpros.
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PLEASE ONLY ANSWER ON YOUR POST! SAME GOES FOR ANY LINKS I PROVIDE!
It gets confusing trying to answer 2 or more folks on the same post, It sometimes makes the Original asker mad when you "barge in"!

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Let's try this 1st, look at the "Carb" part of this old post. Then return here (your post) Don't wanna get more variables added to the original problem. Refrain from the other stuff I'm sending you in this answer!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/jeep-cj7-1985-jeep-cj7-stalls-when-hot

Here's one of the other fellers, I'm aiding right now, if you wanna see more other info

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/idle-not-low-enough-and-rough-on-cj7-jeep
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This too might get you to some other posts of mine quickly (just gotta weed out the Non-Jeeps) My Pics might sorta 'lure you in'

Google search "2carpros", "CJ MEDEVAC" when it comes up, Click "Images" at the top.

I feel for you, I too, am viewed as a Toy. When you finally get all of the little squatters out of the house (as I finally have)(they kept coming back!), Nothing changes except for the distances you have to travel to appease them.

The Medic
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Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
MACCLANCJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Alright. Got the pictures. I'm going to pick up some new port covers and carb cleaner tomorrow. Had to stop working on the Jeep and replace the power brake booster on the xterra that I have. I got it off last night and will attempt to put the new one on tonight. It has been my daily while I'm repairing the Jeep. The pictures came out a little darker than I had hoped for and the engine is a lot dirtier than I would like. I haven't gotten her to the car wash in a while. I think I have the vacuum hoses hooked up correctly but not entirely certain.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Really late!

I look tomorrow!

The Medic
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Thursday, May 18th, 2017 AT 8:09 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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When the Jeep is idling,

Is there vacuum present at the distributor's advance? (If you take the line loose at the 'stributor, does the little actuator move on the 'stributor?) Or if you stick your tongue to the vacuum line, is it sucking?

There should be no vacuum, until you rev the engine a little, then the arm should move.

There are 2 sorta regular types of vacuum

1) Manifold Vacuum (from below the throttle plates) It is constant sucking

2) Ported Vacuum (from even with/ or above the throttle plates) Only sucks when the throttle plates are open or begin to open.

The distributor needs PORTED VACUUM!

Have you Checked out the Tuning stuff in the "Stalls When Hot" link I sent?

Any betterment from seeing/ doing the tuning?

Will it idle?

Do you have a timing light? We can check the advance(s) for the 'stributor, to see if they work.

I noticed your fuel system to the carb has been changed from OEM, Does your Jeep's carb flood out, making it die?

The Medic
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Friday, May 19th, 2017 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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You still here?

Any updates?

The Medic
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Friday, June 2nd, 2017 AT 5:15 PM
Tiny
MACCLANCJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Still here Medic.

I haven't had any time to spend with the Jeep lately but I can answer a few of the questions you asked.

"The distributor needs PORTED VACUUM!"

1. The distributor is hooked up to the ported vacuum. I haven't checked the amount of vacuum yet.

"Have you Checked out the Tuning stuff in the "Stalls When Hot" link I sent?"

2. I did look at the Tuning stuff in the "Stalls When Hot" link that you sent but I rabbit trailed a lot and will have to look at it again. There was a lot of good information that I plan to use once I get time with the Jeep again.

"Do you have a timing light? We can check the advance(s) for the 'stributor, to see if they work."

3. I do have a timing light. Brand new. Honestly I think I've only used one once about 25 years ago. The timing marks aren't very clear. But I think they'll work.

"I noticed your fuel system to the carb has been changed from OEM, Does your Jeep's carb flood out, making it die?"

Yes, my fuel system was changed from OEM. Not my choice. In order to put back to specs I'll have to run another return line to the tank. Some genus thought it was a good idea to cut and crimp the roll over line and the return line right under the driver's side seat area. I was going to remove them entirely but instead simply looped the hoses at the tank so that they all hook together otherwise every time I filled the tank and put the cap on, once pressure built up in the tank fuel would shoot out both of those crimped lines. The carb hasn't flooded out before. Was running fine until I parked it and didn't start it up for a long while. Before it sat, I didn't have a problem with it flooding. I do have a fuel regulator to install, just haven't gotten to that yet either.

Hopefully, I'll be able to set aside a few hours this weekend. Thanks for checking up.
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Monday, June 5th, 2017 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Roger!

Might wanna look at this one that we just got going.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/idle-not-low-enough-and-rough-on-cj7-jeep

It's an '83 also, feller seemed really pleased.

Lemme know when you need me!

The Medic
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Tuesday, June 6th, 2017 AT 7:09 PM
Tiny
MACCLANCJ7
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Just posting an update. It's been a while but I finally got it running. I took the carburetor off, took it apart, cleaned it, rebuilt it (using a rebuild kit), put it back on. Poured a little fuel in there to get it going and it started right up. Idles a little high (800 - 900 rpm) but I can work with that. Not sure if the mixture is perfect but it's running and pretty smooth at that. I'm assuming that the main issue was clogged ports in the carburetor due to the fuel sitting for so long. I would like to shout out to CJ MEDEVAC, thanks for your assistance and patience.
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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I sent you this way back.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/jeep-cj7-1985-jeep-cj7-stalls-when-hot

Did it help you any?

I'm here anytime you might need me!

The Medic

Check out "Willy's" new paint job,

When it cures some, all of his insignia goes back on.
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 3:31 PM

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