ThreeComanches Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 I know a lot of folks have been curious about this Jeep and I don't blame ya'll. I'm not on here as often as I'd like to be but I try my best. Anyhow, here's the story: She's an 86 XLS Metric Ton Turbo Diesel. I found this truck listed for sale on Facebook around late January or early February, I can't remember exactly. It was in Massachusetts Main issue was that it wouldn't run. The price was pretty steep on it so I passed. Fast forward to March 10th, it's posted once again in the "All Things Jeep Comanche" buy and sell group on Facebook. This time in Connecticut. The guy wanted to trade for a running MJ. I sent him a message right away. After a while, we settled on me trading a running 89 LWB MJ for the diesel. On March 16th around 2pm, my dad and I set out for CT. It was around a 4 day trip in total. Only major setbacks were getting a flat tire on the trailer in NJ and loading the diesel with a flat tire. It was around 8PM on the 17th when we finally reached CT and had the diesel on the trailer. It wasn't until the 19th when we finally got back home and unloaded it. I have had it running for a brief few seconds at one point, but it doesn't wanna fire anymore. So far, I've done the following: Oil change Reassembled everything the previous owner had taken apart Siphoned all the old fuel out of the tank Cleaned out the hard fuel lines Replaced two rubber fuel lines Replaced the water separator Cleaned out the air box Checked fluids Attempted to bleed the fuel system to no avail What needs doing: Possibly rebuild the fuel pump Compression test Replace one of the rear brake lines Change transmission and axle oil Grease ball joints New tires What I want to do in the future: Repaint Find original wheels My end goal for this Jeep is to keep it as original as possible and preserve it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skigots Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The86manche Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 I like your goal and I wish you good luck. I can't wait to see how this goes Is the fuel pump not pumping at all? If you crack the fittings at the injectors does it not pump fuel up to them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 36 minutes ago, The86manche said: I like your goal and I wish you good luck. I can't wait to see how this goes Is the fuel pump not pumping at all? If you crack the fittings at the injectors does it not pump fuel up to them? It doesn't seem to be. I cracked the fittings, spun the engine with the pedal pressed, and nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acfortier Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 I would suggest joining a Renault FB group, as well as a Lesharo FB group. There's tons of good information on both regarding this engine. I was seriously considering purchasing it before you, but once I found out that the engine is not original (and is from a Lesharo) it lost it's attraction to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjake Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 I’m excited to see where this goes, here’s my pictures of it from when I went to go see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 @acfortier Where'd ya hear that it has a Lesharo engine? I never knew that. I was told it had a new head and piston linings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acfortier Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 39 minutes ago, ThreeComanches said: @acfortier Where'd ya hear that it has a Lesharo engine? I never knew that. I was told it had a new head and piston linings. One of the pictures of the engine that was sent to me. The "J8S 234" gives it away. Here's the post from the FB group: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 @acfortier I see. Thanks for the info! Could it be possible that just the head was swapped. Would that cause issue if the engine is still the Jeep engine? Better question, are the two even compatible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 Took another crack at bleeding the fuel system. No dice. Is this the right nut to loosen? I appreciate everyone's help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 18, 2023 Author Share Posted June 18, 2023 Shortly after that, one relay got real hot and started to smoke. Not sure what it's for but I removed it so it wouldn't damage anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classy Comanche Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 I don't know if autozone or any part stores carry parts for the 2.1L's. I do know Rockauto has stuff. I don't know if that is any help to you but i hope you get it running good. My goal is to get mine fully restored. I'm teetering on having it repainted. Rockauto sells refurbished rims too. I noticed you mentioned you were looking for a set. Also if your looking to get tires as well Coker tire has some whitewalls that are I think $102 a tire? Very good price compared to other tires these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acfortier Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 6 hours ago, ThreeComanches said: @acfortier I see. Thanks for the info! Could it be possible that just the head was swapped. Would that cause issue if the engine is still the Jeep engine? Better question, are the two even compatible? It’s definitely possible if they swapped the whole top end. I don’t know what the actual differences are, but what’s mentioned in my screenshot about the turbos and injection pump is worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted June 18, 2023 Author Share Posted June 18, 2023 @acfortier I see, I'll definitely look into that. Thanks very much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The86manche Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 I'm not too familiar with the 2.1 setup but could there per chance be a low pressure fuel pump in the tank? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 I think I have a AMC/Renault book on the 2.1L, probably not for its injection system though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 After a 2,500 mile road trip to NH and back... I've got my hands on a BRAND NEW 2.1L Renault J8S-890 engine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H3ADBANG4L1F3 Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 Whoa! What a find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvagedcircuit Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 1 hour ago, ThreeComanches said: After a 2,500 mile road trip to NH and back... I've got my hands on a BRAND NEW 2.1L Renault J8S-890 engine! Hot dang! That's a score. New Hampshire shines again. Going to northern NH is truly a time capsule. Just 2-3 years ago you could still get parallel port printer cables at computer stores near Franconia. The Staples up in Littleton carried a year 2003 ATI radeon 9200se graphics card until about 2017. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 1, 2023 Share Posted October 1, 2023 daaaaaaaaaaamn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drahcir495 Posted October 3, 2023 Share Posted October 3, 2023 I am so interested in this! Are we sure it's not an original turbo diesel MJ?? It looks like everything points to it is original. It still awesome either way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjake Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 9 hours ago, Drahcir495 said: I am so interested in this! Are we sure it's not an original turbo diesel MJ?? It looks like everything points to it is original. It still awesome either way 99% sure it’s an original TD The questions we’re on the specific engine in it being the original one that came in it (most likely not) (my belief comes from when I looked it at, seemed all original TD to me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeComanches Posted October 8, 2023 Author Share Posted October 8, 2023 On 10/3/2023 at 4:56 PM, Drahcir495 said: I am so interested in this! Are we sure it's not an original turbo diesel MJ?? It looks like everything points to it is original. It still awesome either way It is indeed an original TD. The motor in the truck just has a LeSharo top end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devotee Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 So how about an update? I have a Cherokee with the same engine and am gathering info. I'm assembling what I can. Factory info on inj pump, engine, transmission and chassis so far. I can't seem to locate a recognizable wiring diagram though. My tach is dead and I'd like to remedy that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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