Valve Springs

[XtrmTJ]

Anyone done a Valve Spring replacement on a Jeep 4.0L ? Can you talk me through it please? Tools needed, tips, that sorta thing. Thanks !

 

[SUPERD]

Pretty simple on a 4.0, all you need is a spring compressor, some rope or an air fitting and compressor to hold the valves closed and a small magnet pick up tool to help get the keepers out of the retainers.
What happened, you replacing them all or just one?

 

[XtrmTJ]

I keep getting intermittent #43 error codes, multiple cylinder misfire. I just read on another forum :jawdrop: that '97 &'98 4.0's were a bad batch of valves springs causing this error code. That and I am going to decarbonize my 4.0 also, with H2O ! atriot:

 

[SUPERD]

Normally a valve spring problem wouldn't be intermitent, that's usually electrical or fuel issues.
Any other codes?
By intermitent you mean it happens once a week or every day?

 

[XtrmTJ]

My 1997 TJ is not a DD, He only gets driven once in a blue moon. But almost every time I do drive him I get a #43 code, if not multiple #43 codes. (If I drive over 20 miles that is) I also got one that says something about the A/C, but I do not have A/C. This all started last winter at about 35,000 miles. I have replaced EVERY thing, Distributor (including new rotor and cap), Plugs and Wires, Crank Shaft position sensor, Maps sensor, 02 sensors, Fuel Pump, Injectors (using matched grade 5.0 'stang 4 hole ones now), new fuel filters. I clear the code and it just keeps coming back. I do not hear/feel any misfires. I had it cleared at a shop also. I read on another Jeep forum that 1997 and 1998 4.0L were given a Bad/Weak batch of valve springs and that by changing them out solves the misfire code (#43) from being thrown. I figure, why not, it can't hurt, heck I have done/tried everything else ! p:

 

[SUPERD]

Very possible but my money is your ECM is going bad, what's a set of springs gonna run?

this is all you need to swap em out

 

[XtrmTJ]

New ECM three (3) years ago. Looks like a spring set for about $88. I am gonna do some more shopping around to find a compleet Valve Spring/Guild/Seat set if I can. I need to buy those tools also. I have never done this, but from what I have read it dosen't sound too hard to do. Looks like you have done this, any tips/tricks you want to pass on before I try this ? TIA ! atriot:

 

[SUPERD]

All you can change is the springs without tearin the head off, pretty simple, you can also stuff the cylinder with rope Thru the spark plug hole. if you don't have a compressor and adaptor, use like some clothesline cord, takes about 4-5 ft of it & turn the engine over by hand untill it softly bottoms out on the valves. Make sure it's at TDC on that particular cylinder.
You should be able to borrow/ rent the spring compressor at a good parts store for free with a deposit.

 

[XtrmTJ]

Thanks, I'll give it a go as soon as I find a good deal on a set of springs.

 

[XtrmTJ]

Got the springs (12 for $48). Got the spring compressor, got the rope, will do the swap my next days off. I'll post up how it goes.

 

[SUPERD]

Good luck, hope that fixes your issues!

 

[XtrmTJ]

Done ! Rope trick worked great. All new valve springs and new 760X U-Joints installed ! atriot: Eugene is ready for the SNOW !

 

[SUPERD]

Sweet, thats a fine lookin jeep you have thereatriot:

 

[XtrmTJ]

TY Sir. He is fun to drive. I am waiting on the SNOW !:crazy: