1988 Jeep Rough Idle After Sitting

JEEP
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_STINGRAY_
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1988 Jeep pioneer. When I bought this vehicle it had no spark. I replaced the pickup coil, & the ignition coil, got spark and started vehicle. It idled ruff. I decided to replace the cap, rotor and wires. Still idles ruff. When I give a little throttle it seems to choke itself and wants to stall. Slight backfire. Any info you can give relating this proble is gratefully appreciated.

OK I just replaced the oxygen sensor and it still idles ruff. Whats next.

Thanks
Jul 29, 2006 at 2:19 AM
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DEMEARSJR
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How long has the fuel been sitting in the vehicle when you bought it?
Jul 30, 2006 at 3:36 PM
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_STINGRAY_
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As far as I know it last ran in December of last year. There isn't very much fuel in the tank because the fuel light is on.
Jul 31, 2006 at 8:32 AM
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DEMEARSJR
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Didn't say if it was backfiring through the exhaust or the carb.
Did you move the distributor while you were changing the pick up coil?
Jul 31, 2006 at 3:36 PM
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_STINGRAY_
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I removed the distributor off the engine and installed the pickup coil on the bench, and I reinstalled the distribuitor so that rotor is just before the #1 position.
Aug 1, 2006 at 5:56 AM
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_STINGRAY_
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Well, now it idled so rough it stalled itself and now I can't get it started. Theres still plenty of spark. I do believe there's a major vacuum leak which I cant seem to locate. Now I have to try to get it started again.
Aug 1, 2006 at 9:45 AM
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MIKEYBDMAN
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You have some spark now, I would look at the fuel. Put some good gas in it, and maybe a little additive to remove water. Check the fuel pump to make sure it is supplying good pressure.
Things do tend to break when they sit for too long.
Aug 1, 2006 at 10:45 AM
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Suggested Repair

Add fresh fuel and a water-removing additive, then verify that the fuel pump is supplying adequate pressure. Fuel that has sat for months can cause a rough idle and stalling.

Conversation Summary

A 1988 Jeep Pioneer had no spark when purchased and still idled roughly after the pickup coil, ignition coil, cap, rotor, wires, and oxygen sensor were replaced. It backfired slightly, stalled when given throttle, and later would not restart despite having spark. The owner had removed and reinstalled the distributor and suspected a vacuum leak. Fuel had been sitting since the previous December with little left in the tank. The expert advised adding fresh fuel and a water remover and checking fuel-pump pressure, noting that parts can fail after long storage.

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