1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

I just got a automatic 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo with 384,000 kms on it for free from a family member 2 days ago. It has never had a problem in it's lifetime, and has been babied. Yesterday I took it for a little off road fun and while going through the LAST mud puddle of the day I start to get stuck sinking into the mud at the far end of the massive puddle. I give it some more gas and start to get out, then the engine bogs down and stalls! I try to start her back up and it jeeps keeps cranking but won't turn over! Some steam came out of the engine bay, but I was not overheating, so I think that was just steam from water that was boiled after i went through the giant puddle. After letting it sit for about 15 mins I tried turning it over again, this time in neutral, and it barely starts but it does! But as the rpms drop to idle, the engine starts putting and almost stalls again, so I had to give it gas (minimum 1500rpm) to keep it from stalling. I try dropping it into drive from there and it dies. Won't start once again. Wait an hour come back, it takes a while but it turns on in neutral, drop it from a 4000rpm and it starts moving forward then bogs down and dies. It's not dark outside, I'm supposed to be at a party in 20 mins, so life sucks haha After a million phone calls I am able to barrow a buddies Toyota forerunner and some tow rope and am able to tow the jeep out in neutral out to a road and parked it in a residential area. I then tried to start the engine and this time while cranking over and over it backfired a few times, one of which was REALLY REALLY LOUD.

Now I have searched and I read that theres a possibililty that its the crank shaft sensor? Any other ideas? And how much do you think this is going to cost me? It's my only car to get to work and I'm only in Sherwood Park, Alberta for the summer for a job so I'm not even from around here! This is so stressful.

Any help is much appreciated, Thanks!
-Matt

Re: 1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

I am not an expert but it sounds like your motor is soaked. Dru out the distributor and all the wiring then see if it will run.

Re: 1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

Ya I checked the air filter and it was semi-wet. Not soaked, but wet. I thought I waterlogged my engine for a while there. BUT!
I let it sit for a day and I tried her again and thankfully it started up! Seems to be running just fine now.
But not all is good news. It seemed a lot louder then usual so sure enough I look underneath and the muffler has a hole blown in it! Right where the weld is between the back of the muffler and the top. So that last REALLY LOUD backfire from hell must have blown a hole in the muffler! Holy crap!

Re: 1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

Classic waterlogging. Distributor probably got wet, or a cracked crank sensor. Heat will crack these occasionally. A big bottle of WD40, and a screwdriver is your best friends on the trails for this. Remove your Dist. cap and soak the crap out of it with WD. Or go the distance, and water proof your igniton. Silicone, and some time.

Re: 1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

And go to Cdn Tire and buy a Cherry Bomb muffler for about $35. Sounds a little louder than the costly jeep one but works great and fits in place nicely. Put one on my old 89 xj lasted for 4 yrs. (6 cy motor)

Re: 1991 XJ Won't Turn over
 

had an experience similar to yours... : waterlogging