I have a chance to buy a 1994 Wrangler locally. I've looked at it twice. It seems to have no real issues with rust aside from one spot under the driver's door. The frame and floors look great. It's obviously had a leaky top in the past, due to the smell in the car, but I figure that's par for the course with a Wrangler.
It's the basic (S?) model with a 5 speed and the 2.5 motor and has 117K or so miles. When I went on a fairly decent test drive, I immediately noticed that it seemed to have NO power. I mean, it had less than my 1972 VW. At first, I shrugged that off as the 4 cylinder being weak, but on the way back, it started missing or hesitating really badly, it was also making some kind of rattling sound and the check engine light came on. I was scared I wouldn't make it back. Fortunately, I did, and when I got back and turned the car off and restarted it, the CEL went away, and it sounded great again. I don't think the motor is inherently bad, as it sounded fine, and idled great.
I really like this Jeep, and the price is RIGHT for a YJ that needs just some cosmetic and maintenance things. However, I'm really worried that the engine is having issues.
Any idea what might be causing the miss/cutting out on the engine? And, should it be a deal-breaker?
Thanks,
Joe
It's the basic (S?) model with a 5 speed and the 2.5 motor and has 117K or so miles. When I went on a fairly decent test drive, I immediately noticed that it seemed to have NO power. I mean, it had less than my 1972 VW. At first, I shrugged that off as the 4 cylinder being weak, but on the way back, it started missing or hesitating really badly, it was also making some kind of rattling sound and the check engine light came on. I was scared I wouldn't make it back. Fortunately, I did, and when I got back and turned the car off and restarted it, the CEL went away, and it sounded great again. I don't think the motor is inherently bad, as it sounded fine, and idled great.
I really like this Jeep, and the price is RIGHT for a YJ that needs just some cosmetic and maintenance things. However, I'm really worried that the engine is having issues.
Any idea what might be causing the miss/cutting out on the engine? And, should it be a deal-breaker?
Thanks,
Joe