Hi guys you don’t need the belt to start the engine. The belt tensioner you don’t need to unscrew the bolt. If you look there is a square where you can fit an half inch ratchet and you just turn it anti-clockwise to relieve the tension. Check if you have diesel coming out the fuel line by unscrewing one or two in the injector and check if you have the glow plugs ok ; above the fuel filter you have hand pump and screw to bleed air in the fuel system., if still doesn’t start or the is not enough compression in the cylinders you can test with compression kit fitting it in the glow plug . Check if you have any movement on the rpm gage , if not you must replace the crank position sensor. Fairly easy if you are committed. I spend more than 10.000€ in garages being scammed until decided to look for information and manuals. If you need manuals for the engine I can send you. Cheers from Portugal
Hi João, thank you for that it’s very helpful when people like yourself leave these great comments! We’re back working this weekend so we will try all of these things!
Make sure you guys keep a fire extinguisher handy. I can guarantee some of your rubber fuel lines are past there best. In fact I think I had starting problems due to a perished fuel line in the engine bay. You guys are quite lucky you seem to have the mk1 engine which has fully mechanical fuel pump and less electronics. You may want to at times but don't give up.
@@archieandbensadventures only if they look cracked and perished. Another idea as well as running it without the belt is maybe whip off the rocker cover whilst turning it over, that way you can make sure everything is moving freely and getting oil. You'll get there in the end.
If it helps you guys, here's the parts manual for that model year: www.dropbox.com/s/yulquqz5zh20mi2/1997_-_1999_parts_catalog_search.pdf?dl=0 And here's the factory service manual: www.dropbox.com/sh/lnvugunkav67ym8/AAAsc-M9VqFbg2Cf-lxwkeHua?dl=0
Man I'm in USA 🇺🇸 and we only have the gas engine 4.0L XJ'S here. I have had 8 cherokee in total and I love the 4.0L and it's bulletproof, but I would kill to have a diesel and get 25-30mpg over the average 15mpg in the 4.0L.
Never knew they didn’t sell them over there! Over here they are much more common than the 4.0 from what I can see. Must be because fuel prices are cheaper for you guys so people can afford to run the 4.0?
Hi guys you don’t need the belt to start the engine. The belt tensioner you don’t need to unscrew the bolt. If you look there is a square where you can fit an half inch ratchet and you just turn it anti-clockwise to relieve the tension. Check if you have diesel coming out the fuel line by unscrewing one or two in the injector and check if you have the glow plugs ok ; above the fuel filter you have hand pump and screw to bleed air in the fuel system., if still doesn’t start or the is not enough compression in the cylinders you can test with compression kit fitting it in the glow plug . Check if you have any movement on the rpm gage , if not you must replace the crank position sensor. Fairly easy if you are committed. I spend more than 10.000€ in garages being scammed until decided to look for information and manuals. If you need manuals for the engine I can send you. Cheers from Portugal
Hi João, thank you for that it’s very helpful when people like yourself leave these great comments! We’re back working this weekend so we will try all of these things!
Keep up the good work guys
Thank you!!
Bad luck on. Waiting for the next part again….
Yep a nightmare but managed to get one ordered and should arrive this week!
Make sure you guys keep a fire extinguisher handy. I can guarantee some of your rubber fuel lines are past there best. In fact I think I had starting problems due to a perished fuel line in the engine bay.
You guys are quite lucky you seem to have the mk1 engine which has fully mechanical fuel pump and less electronics.
You may want to at times but don't give up.
Definitely a good idea for the fire extinguisher we will go pick one up! And do you think we should replace the rubber fuel lines?
@@archieandbensadventures only if they look cracked and perished. Another idea as well as running it without the belt is maybe whip off the rocker cover whilst turning it over, that way you can make sure everything is moving freely and getting oil. You'll get there in the end.
Your tensioner has a square spot made for sticking a ratchet on and releasing the tension, its simple
Got there in the end haha
If it helps you guys, here's the parts manual for that model year:
www.dropbox.com/s/yulquqz5zh20mi2/1997_-_1999_parts_catalog_search.pdf?dl=0
And here's the factory service manual:
www.dropbox.com/sh/lnvugunkav67ym8/AAAsc-M9VqFbg2Cf-lxwkeHua?dl=0
That is amazing thank you!
Man I'm in USA 🇺🇸 and we only have the gas engine 4.0L XJ'S here. I have had 8 cherokee in total and I love the 4.0L and it's bulletproof, but I would kill to have a diesel and get 25-30mpg over the average 15mpg in the 4.0L.
Never knew they didn’t sell them over there! Over here they are much more common than the 4.0 from what I can see. Must be because fuel prices are cheaper for you guys so people can afford to run the 4.0?
I'm sure a blow torch isn't standard equipment !
haha just wait to see what the next purchase is!
@@archieandbensadventures a jeep that runs ?
One day!
Did you attend GA TECH? GT grad here!
I wish! just saw the jumper at a vintage store and thought it was cool.
@@archieandbensadventures cool indeed! Go Jackets!!! 🐝🐝🐝
Man, you guys should find a new hobby, you're not good at wrenching...
We all start somewhere!
@@archieandbensadventures 👍
@@raycrocker2844 Thank you Ray!