Tune Up

CCKJ03 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:30 am

If I am changing out my spark plugs, what else should I change out?

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Check your owner's manual for scheduled maintenance. That list could include a lot of things depending on the mileage on your KJ, how up to date your maintenance is, etc.

This time of year most of us turn our thoughts to fluids, too, especially if it gets cold where you're at. Engine oil, tranny fluid, transfer case, diffs, coolant. Thermostat good? Hoses? How's the fan belt? Also, how old is the battery?

I'm probably missing a few, but hopefully someone else will add to the list of things to check.

CCKJ03 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:52 pm

I am sorry let me word my question better... If am changing out my spark plugs, should I also change out the ignition cables and ignition switch as well?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:56 pm

no ignition cables coils sit on top of the plugs, and ignition switch??

Tom

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 7:08 pm

Plugs only should be just fine. If you have not recently changed the air filter, oil and filter, fuel filter, etc. it might not be a bad idea to do those too.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:07 am

Can we get the mileage of said KJ? It'll also tell us what else might need to be replaced... Things like the front/rear differentials, transfercase, transmission and radiator often get overlooked when performing the regular maintance.

There is a thread on here to help you with the plug change. Click here

CCKJ03 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:46 pm

I have about 60,000 miles. So far, I have changed the rear diff fluid, tranny fluid, air filter is K&N, and the oil gets change regularly.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

It might be time for a coolant change. Some guys go longer than 60k, some less before they change it. I just did mine at 37 k miles. I'd be more concerned about how long the battery will last though. There's a few threads in this forum about the original batteries lasting about 5 years, maybe a bit more, some less. Something to think about anyhow.

Is yours a 2 wd? I noticed you didn't mention the front diff. If you have one, it'll need new lube also. Do you get your KJ off the blacktop very much?

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:37 am

CCKJ03 wrote:

I have about 60,000 miles. So far, I have changed the rear diff fluid, tranny fluid, air filter is K&N, and the oil gets change regularly.

Cool, it seems like you're on top of the ball. There might be a thread in the FAQ section about all the services that need to be performed.

Your first time through the plug change should take roughly 1 hour. Most of that being setup time.

Edit: Here is the FAQ thread link

detroit_doc · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:28 am

Dont' forget to change your lower ball-joints every 12,000 miles, window regulators every 6,000 miles and your water pump every 15,000 miles :lol:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:15 pm

detroit_doc wrote:

Dont' forget to change your lower ball-joints every 12,000 miles, window regulators every 6,000 miles and your water pump every 15,000 miles :lol:

Sad but thats true.

chetos · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:34 pm

snowsport wrote:

Check your owner's manual for scheduled maintenance. That list could include a lot of things depending on the mileage on your KJ, how up to date your maintenance is, etc.

This time of year most of us turn our thoughts to fluids, too, especially if it gets cold where you're at. Engine oil, tranny fluid, transfer case, diffs, coolant. Thermostat good? Hoses? How's the fan belt? Also, how old is the battery?

I'm probably missing a few, but hopefully someone else will add to the list of things to check.

How do you check those?

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

There's no test for these that I know of. The best way to tell if your battery is nearing the end of its useful life is its age. If it's about 5 years old, it MAY die soon. Some seem to last longer than this, for sure, but it becomes iffy after this stage. Similarly with the thermostat, it is a good practice to replace these while they are still working well, every few years. Personally I wouldn't let that go a full 5 years, but that's just my preference.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:55 pm

chetos wrote:

snowsport wrote:

Check your owner's manual for scheduled maintenance. That list could include a lot of things depending on the mileage on your KJ, how up to date your maintenance is, etc.

This time of year most of us turn our thoughts to fluids, too, especially if it gets cold where you're at. Engine oil, tranny fluid, transfer case, diffs, coolant. Thermostat good? Hoses? How's the fan belt? Also, how old is the battery?

I'm probably missing a few, but hopefully someone else will add to the list of things to check.

How do you check those?

Thermostat is not easy to check unless the vehicle is no longer throwing heat or running too hot. Of course you can always take it out, put it in a pan on the stove and heat it up , and see at what temp it opens. Dont let the wife catch you! At that point I would just throw a new one in anyways though! :wink:

Batteries can be checked at parts stores/ or any good shop.

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:15 pm

the fuel filter is one thats always up in the air. The manual says you never have to do it but some on here say you should treat it like a normal filter. Im more in the middle, i wouldnt change it as much as you normally would because that thing is over $100 for the part, it has its own regulator so it shouldnt need to be done as soon. But i dont beleive it would last the life of the vehicle either. I say 60k or so then it should be done.

CCKJ03 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:29 pm

snowsport wrote:

It might be time for a coolant change. Some guys go longer than 60k, some less before they change it. I just did mine at 37 k miles. I'd be more concerned about how long the battery will last though. There's a few threads in this forum about the original batteries lasting about 5 years, maybe a bit more, some less. Something to think about anyhow.

Is yours a 2 wd? I noticed you didn't mention the front diff. If you have one, it'll need new lube also. Do you get your KJ off the blacktop very much?

4 wd drive. The front diff is next. Thanks for the tip on the coolant and battery. The list get bigger and bigger...but I know it needs to get done.

Thanks...

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just did my transfer case today. The old lube was dark red with a bit of sludge in it, so I'm glad I did it. Next time I do anything under the Jeep, I'm going to wash all the slushy road crud off first. Blech!

CCKJ03, do you have a service manual?

Here's a link Sir Sam posted a while back for parts for KJs. http://colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/ It's a complete parts breakdown for these vehicles, with pictures, and I've referred to it quite a few times. I don't think I ever said thanks, Sam!

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