hard starting

[goose85427]

My jeep just start to start hard. It use to pop right out but now it takes a few seconds of it turning over to start. Its an 04 LJ with just about 48k on it. I'm thinking it might be my fuel filter starting to get junk in it. I was going to rum a fuel system treatment through it on my next tank of gas but not sure if it will help. What do you guys think

[CutterN55]

F'n double post...sorry

[CutterN55]

I've never been a fan of additives, I think it's snake oil and covers up problems or makes them worse. Run some Premium in there for a tank and run that bitch till empty and repeat. Then change your filter.
Coming up on 50K miles, mighty check/clean/change spark plugs as well

[jackhammer]

I would do as said above. check and clean all grounds as well. A weak ground will cause your exact symptom.

[HillBillE]

Not sure about the newer rigs like your '04, but in the XJ's and TJ's (late '90's early '00's) they had problems with the in tank fuel pumps.

Either the pump, or the built in check valve, will go out.

To see if that's it, cycle the key 2-3 times before starting it.
(turn the key all the way on without actually cranking, then off, then on, then crank on the 3rd time)

If it is the check valve, doing this will get enough fuel/pressure to the rail, so it will start right away.

Fuel pumps aren't cheap, so a lot of guys will just 'cycle' the ignition, until it fails completely (if it's just the check valve, this won't hurt anything)

[jackhammer]

Exactly what hillbilly said as well. It was on the tip of my tongue. Just turn the key all the way with out starting a couple times. You should be able to hear the fuel pump kick on.

[xjryder]

Check to see if it has a crankshaft position sensor, on XJ's they are located on the driverside of the bell housing, dont know if LJ's have em

[ColoFreeJeeper]

Time for a spark plug change. Your Jeep does not have a replaceable fuel filter. Mopar did away with those quite a few years back. I have an '05 that was doing the same thing. Put plugs in it (that's the only tune up part anymore) and it fixed it. Any "check engine" lights?

[airforce26yrs]

Time for a spark plug change. Your Jeep does not have a replaceable fuel filter. Mopar did away with those quite a few years back. I have an '05 that was doing the same thing. Put plugs in it (that's the only tune up part anymore) and it fixed it. Any "check engine" lights?

I do not know about the LJ's, but my WJ has what is called a pressure regulator/filter external of the gas tank, so the statement about Mopar doing away with them is not quite correct.

[ColoFreeJeeper]

I do not know about the LJ's, but my WJ has what is called a pressure regulator/filter external of the gas tank, so the statement about Mopar doing away with them is not quite correct.

Go to any auto parts website and look up a fuel filter for any late model Jeep. Mopar stopped using fuel filters on some models starting back in 1994 and Jeep stopped putting them on Wranglers in the early 2000s. No Liberty, Commander, Compass, or Patriot ever had one (gas only). Not counting the 5 years I served (I didn't join until I was 31), I've been selling auto parts and swinging wrenches for over 13 years professionally. I stand by my statement and wouldn't give advice that wasn't true or that I couldn't back up. The Grands did continue to use fuel filters (they are the only one), but his vehicle is a Wrangler which is what I was referring to in my previous post.