Stuttering Issue

Fitz! · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:28 pm

So I've been having a issue of the engine stuttering, it happens most when I'm cruising at consistent speed, usually around 55-65, and when I go to give it more throttle the engine sounds like it is running on two cylinders almost like when you stick your hand in a fan. From what I've found on here it sounds like this is air in the fuel issue. It has been doing it off and on for the last couple weeks but has started getting worst. I bled the fuel system and there was air, took it for a test drive (about 12 miles) with only one small stutter. Re-bled the fuel and again air so correct me if I'm wrong but that should be a obvious sign of a leak in the system? I haven't got any CEL's and hasn't stalled out like I've read about on here. Has anyone found a common part that fails? I was going to get a new fuel filter and throw that on but is there anything else I should really inspect? The Jeep is completely stock with about 115,XXX miles on it. I have done all the maintenance on schedule, timing belt and water pump was done about 5,000 miles ago (so not quite on schedule). It has had all the recalls and is up to date from that perspective. I was planning on ordering a GDE EcoTune this week but think I should probably get fuel issue fixed first.

This is probably unrelated but also occasionally when I'm driving down the road my traction control light will come on and I will lose power but if I turn traction control off it runs fine or if I slow down about 10mph it will speed back up fine. I'm guessing this is a bad sensor and it only does it like the day after driving through snow. So if anyone has ideas on that would be great too?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 3:01 pm

In reverse order:

Likely a bad wheel sensor. Since you have traction control you have an 06 which IIRC has a sensor on each of the 4 wheels. There has also been mention of a hub problem but I'd lean toward a sensor or sensor wire.

On air. Do you have the 1s or 2 gen fuel filter head. 2n gen has blue to blue/green heater element plug on driver side of head and both plugs are about the same size? If you have the 1s gen head (both plugs black or dark brown and driver side one is obviously smaller) then get the 2n gen head and new wiring pigtail. The new head comes with a new filter and WIF, save your old WIF just in case.

Fitz! · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:48 pm

Perfect! On the wheel sensor this is going to be a dumb question but where is it actually located? Is it by the hub or caliper?
As for the fuel filter head it is the Gen 2 and I can see where the other pigtail was tied in. What is the WIF? Also with the Gen 2 is it the same filter as the Gen 1? I was going run by NAPA tonight and grab a new one and wanted make sure nothing changed. Also on NAPA is their gold filter a WIX like the oil filter?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:52 pm

WIF = water in fuel sensor

Not sure where the sensors are but IIRC chat correctly out by the wheels on the 06 (05 same on front but in rear there is a single one top of the differential housing); someone else who has done this will have to be more precise.

1s and 2n gen fuel filter head use the same filters. I'm partial to WIX filters and the fuel one is PN 33647; NAPA PN is likely 3647 and made by WIX but painted in NAPA colors. If NAPA has options on filters go with NAPA Gold not the cheaper ones.

Fitz! · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:26 am

Ok I got a napa gold filter and threw it in, took it for a test ride (about 5 miles) and it was still running like crap but started to clear up toward the end. Then I brought it back, bled the system and it had air yet again. Took for another test run this time about 15 miles with some highway driving and it would run fine stutter for a little then clear up throughout the majority of the drive. Brought back and it had air in the system... After the first run I thought maybe some of the air was from pockets in the filter but now this second time I'm thinking it must have a leak elsewhere. Is there anywhere else air leaks are common on this fuel system? Also with the system running at a vacuum and air accumulating in the filter head, does the leak have to be before the filter head I.e. between fuel tank and filter? I feel like anything after that would go through the engine and not accumulate, but I also could see that with the filter head being the high point that it would float up from either side.

thermorex · **Posted:** Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:11 am

I'd just replace the fuel tank quick release plastic clamps, those are known to fail. Take them out (at least the one that goes to the filter with fuel) and replace them with 3/8 fuel hose (preferably marine, you can get it at napa). Don't remember if you said you have a lift pump, but if you don't, that's also an option, will nullify the air that's being pulled in.

Fitz! · **Posted:** Sun Mar 17, 2013 1:51 pm

thermorex wrote:

I'd just replace the fuel tank quick release plastic clamps, those are known to fail. Take them out (at least the one that goes to the filter with fuel) and replace them with 3/8 fuel hose (preferably marine, you can get it at napa). Don't remember if you said you have a lift pump, but if you don't, that's also an option, will nullify the air that's being pulled in.

Ok so just to be clear you would just cut those out and replace them with a piece of fuel hose and connectors or rerun the entire line from the metal fitting that the connector clips on to filter head? I don't have a lift pump but have been considering putting one in. Also how likely is it the ones on top of the tank? Cause I have a completely full tank so it will be a pain to try and drop...

Also follow up question after I change them I know there will be air in the lines, so is there a proper way to prime the system? Do I just bleed the system with the primer or is there a faster way?

Hexus · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:56 am

If you haven't upgraded your Traction Controller, or you haven't upgraded to a GDE tune, then what you're experiencing, the stutter if you will, is bad programming from Daimler Chrysler.

Supposedly they fixed it in a recall, but I had mine from when it was brand new, through 3 attempted reprograms of my ECU, and it never went away until my GDE tune.

It feels like a shudder and loss of power somewhere between 55-59mph when you're attempting to upshift and accelerate up a hill or slight incline or pass someone. It is brief and it's nowhere else in your gear progression, but typically when you want to move from cruising speed to passing speed or uphill. It also happened when I attempted to just cruise at around 55-59mph.

If that's what you're experiencing, welcome to the club, it's not you it's Chrysler.

I guess you also said you did find air in the fuel line, that's another issue and you need to look at the fuel tank (There's another post here about fixing those lines) and make sure your fuel filter is on tight, always do the cheapest things first.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:44 am

Were getting into apples and oranges here :BANANA:

The torque converter and related flashes Hexux mentions are different then air in the fuel.

They both can appear the same but you have tracked down your problem to air in the fuel:dizzy:

The best cure is an in tank lift pump :JEEPIN:

I did mine 6 years ago and have never had another air in the fuel problem since. And to prime the system when replacing filters just cycle the ignition key once or twice :jester:

Fitz! · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:02 pm

I don't have a GDE tune yet, I was planning on ordering one last week then I started having air in fuel issues and thought I should probably get that fixed before I start modifying.
And to Joe I want to put a lift pump in and was planning on doing it once it is a little warmer here in Colorado. Right now I'm more just trying to fix this issue so I can put off the lift pump a little and so I can burn a little fuel off. Right now my tank has 20 gallons in it so it will be a little heavy to try and drop right now :ROTFL:

If anyone is still wondering I have read Sam's Noob Guide and Sam actually did my Timing belt service (If anyone is in Colorado and needs to get it done I would highly recommend PMing him!) I just bought this thing about 9 months ago and am trying to catch up on all the mods that the previous owner neglected, leaving it completely stock but at least go all the recalls done :jester:

Fitz! · **Posted:** Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:04 pm

Ok so far I replaced the filter no fix, then took out the quick disconnect and still getting air in the system. So I got two 3inch 3/8th pieces of clear hose with two double barbed connectors and tied them into the inlet and outlet if the filter head. I bleed the system and started it and let it idle and don't see any air bubbles at all on either side. This might be because I haven't actually done a test drive, but either way after I turn it off the fuel in the outlet tube completely drains! Is this normal? As soon as I start it, it fills but as soon as the key is turned off it drains and fills with air? Does this mean there must be a air leak after the filter head? :banghead:

Stuttering Issue

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