Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK engine mounts

General tune up advice wanted

JimNH

JimNH

JK Enthusiast
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Mar 24, 2020
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162
Location
Nashua, NH
Have some quarantine-time and want to tune up my wife's new-to-us 2008 Jeep Wrangler JK 2-door.

Nothing really wrong, just want to go through it to make sure everything is OK. For all I know, all of this service was done by the PO and I will be wasting my time and money. I just got it inspected by a competent mechanic and told him to really go through it and check it out to see if anything is needing repair, and he gave me basically a clean bill of health, except for bad rear shocks, which I replaced already. Fronts seem OK and appeared newer than the rears.

Thinking this should include:

Spark plug replacement
EGR Valve
PCV Valve
Wires and coil packs?
check all fluids, possible flush and fill of any that are suspect, esp. radiator coolant (use correct type)
Seafoam into brake/vac line
check and clean battery terminals/tightness
check engine ground strap
Check tire pressures (taking it in to have the TPMS sensors reinstalled soon)
Anything else?
Don't want to start WW3, but what oil does anyone recommend for an engine with 150K on it?

I am planning to order a hayne's or chilton's or other shop manual - which does anyone recommend?

Thank you - I did search but did not find a "comprehensive tune up guide"...apologies if there is one.

If I find anything I don't want to tackle myself, I'll bring it to the shop since I plan to have htem install the TPMS sensors in the current rims/tires at the next oil change interval in about 2000 miles.


JIM
 
If your EGR valve is bad you'll get a engine code so if it was mine i'd just wait. You could pull a plug out and see what it looks like if the gap is way off then they probably need replaced, and a good idea to replace the wires also.

It might not be a bad idea to replace all the fluids so that you have a good starting point on when they were done. Put some copper anti-seeze on the plugs.
 
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With 150k, you'll want to add all 4 O2 sensors to the list, as well as a water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses. I know that sounds extreme, but at 12 years old and 150k, refreshing the cooling system would give it a new lease on life, especially since cooling systems are often one of the first things to fail at higher mileage.

Make certain to use NGK / NTK O2 sensors, and I would strongly, strongly encourage you to use a Mopar radiator and Mopar water pump.
 
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I say spark plugs, 02 sensors, all fluids, and brake calipers/pads.

Check all the "brittle" wirings and heat shields!
 
Brakes look very good - done by the PO right after he got the jeep about a year ago. I pulled a wheel off (changing the rear shocks) and brakes all looked new. One down.
 
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Oscar-Mike said:
I say spark plugs, 02 sensors, all fluids, and brake calipers/pads.

Check all the "brittle" wirings and heat shields!
Click to expand...

thank you - I bought the plugs and wires and started poking around in the engine bay. Yowza - lots of the wire harness plastic coverings are brittle and grey, or are missing. I neatened some up, replaced some zip ties, and installed new covering over the alternator wire. I will have to disassemble the air cleaner and such to get at the ones I can see missing just below the intake. It also looks the heat shield on at least the driver's side of my exhaust manifold is past it's expiration date. A lot of what I can see of the engine looks like it's a bit corroded - or like it had been swimming, or maybe just water/salt from the roads after 150K. I'd love to just pull the engine, paint everything, and make it pretty, but my wife would kill me if I completely disassemble her "new" car.

I am worried now that changing the plugs on the 2008 v-6 wrangler is going to be a @#$%^ of a job. I noticed that the no. 6 plug boot at the coil pack (I did not buy a coil pack) is a differnt color. Just like the last guy changed 5 of the plugs and wires and just gave up on the 6th. Anyone care to give me any advice?

Oil and transmission fluid levels and colors looked great - but the coolant level in the make up tank was low. I had just enough coolant on hand to bring it up to the minimum mark...have to go get some. I don't think I have a leak, and it's been running just fine - no overheating. I guess I should check the hoses and maybe just plan on doing the flush and change soon - so I had better buy a lot of fluid. Anyone have a favorite brand?
 
The reason one of the plug wires was a different color could have been because the original wire went bad and a new one was put on. Would be a good idea to put all new wires on and also put some copper antiseize on the sparkplug threads. The passenger side is a little more work then the drivers side but can be done.
 
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got the coolant today - the HOAT Zerex G-05 stuff. Will drain, flush and refill - but need to go get some distilled water too. will have to start tackling the spark plugs as well.
 
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