When we first bought our Jeep Cherokee (4x4, 5 Sp. Standard Transmission) second hand we loved it! Only problem was each time we tried to push it, it would start to go then suddenly at about 2200 - 3000 RPM it just went BLAAAAH, as in Nothing! it just slowed right down! It had a major dead spot that seemed like it might be a vacuum leak. But we bought it used and thought okay maybe it just needs a new vacuum line somewhere. My husband being a retired mechanic, not only checked all the vacuum lines he did a full tune-up at the same time, but it didn't help. So he kept trying, he tried spraying WD-40 on the intake, he even tried plugging up the line to the Brake Booster, Nothing seemed to fix it. So we went surfing on the web. Nothing! My husband being a computer builder/Rebuilder and an ex mechanic just could not accept there being no answer so he kept on looking and trying new things.

It's strange considering it was one of those sudden brain storms where you think NO! Can't be THAT simple, somebody must have tried that already! But, you rationalize; why not? it's worth a try and it's cheap so let's do it anyway! Well, he did and it was like opening up a pair of secondaries ! The Jeep now has a very slight hesitation at around 3000 RPM but no more dead spots. So here's step by step what my Husband did to fix the dead spot/hesitation. (First: Please Note that this particular engine has no PCV Valve installed on the engine, instead it has a line that runs from the intake manifold to the valve cover.)

First he removed the line that runs from the intake manifold to the valve cover.

Second; He plugged up the hole on the intake manifold. If you don't have or can't find a solid cap, a short piece of line and a bolt will work.

Third; he purchased a nice chrome Valve Cover Filter from Autozone for $5 and installed it on the valve cover. (For more detail see the Pictures Below.)

That's It! Simple Easy and inexpensive but what a fantastic difference!

Note: You need not worry about crank case ventilation as the ventilation is supplied by Positive ventilation on the intake side of the air cleaner assembly.

Please feel free to write us if you have success with this, or any variation of it on similiar vehicles/engines, we'd love to hear back from you!!!

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