Chrysler Repair: 1995 Jeep 5.2 V8-looses power on highway, plastic soda bottle, chrysler line

Question
Recently we were driving and the car started to loose/gain power, I gave it some gas (around 50mph) sounded like the crinkling of a plastic soda bottle/or popping through the carb. The car lost power,(like it stalled)  I took my foot off the gas, then it caught again and seemed to work it's way out to a smooth ride. I thought I smelled a carbon smell. about 10miles down the road it did it again, couldn't give it gas as she was dying until around 40 or so, then I was able to gradually give it gas. The rest of the way home it was fine. (about 40 miles) It has done this occasionally and we just purchased it..the thought of a clogged converter, but wouldn't that happen all the time? then we thought water in the lines. don't know where to start Any ideas?? Thanks so much


Answer
Hi Linda,
I can't claim exertise with the Jeep line of vehicles but a couple of thoughts follow. It could be the catalytic converter if the honeycomb element throught which the gases have to flow is loose and momentarily shifts its axis which would temporarily impede the outflow. You might be able to hear it rattle were that the case.
I would wonder whether there might be fault codes stored in the engine control computer. In the Chrysler line you turn the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light, which remains 'on', to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashed before each pause, then repeat the to assure you get an accurate set of count. Group the counts in pairs in the order of appearance to get the two-digit fault codes. The number 55 always comes last because it means end of readout. I can't be sure whether that is how the Jeep memory is accessed. If you get some other number the go to www.Allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a translation.
It will be a challenge to get a good diagnosis for such an intermittent, but don't start throwing money/parts at the engine in hopes of solving it. That seldom works.
Roland