Questionok i have a 1988 jeep cherokee laredo that now will not start without starter fluid. we've changed the vacuum hoses, fuel filter (about 3 mths ago, the last one was pretty disgusting.), etc. my boyfriend refuses to take it to a shop and gets offended when i suggest it, saying "oh so you think i can't do it. Thanks for having so much faith in me." help! please! even if its just a suggestion in the area to look!
AnswerErin,
Well, it seems as though your boyfriend can't do it. First of all, if your fuel filter is that dirty, either you have mud, or dirt in your tank, or if it's a steel tank, you have rust in it. Whichever it is, the tank needs to be cleaned, along with all of the fuel lines. This may entail removing the tank. At a minimum, I would remove and plug the fuel line from the tank. Then you can try flushing out the tank with a strong solvent, by filling it, then remove the plug from the fuel line, and blow out the tank with an air hose. Many times the fuel tank may need to be replaced.
Carl
PS It's extremely hard on an engine to use starter fluid many times. Starter fluid is nothing more than ether, and is extremely explosive, and creates higher than normal pressures in a gas engine.
