Hi everyone. One of my mechanic friends sold me a 2003 grand jeep cherokee, 175k miles on it. Yesterday for the 1st since buying it (I got it like 3 days ago) I went to the gas station and put regular unleaded gas in it. An hour later I'm driving and it starts to shake really bad and jerk while I'm in traffic. It would not accelerate and then it would. When I got to his house, he asked what kind of gas I used.I told him I used regular unleaded gas. Him and his dad said I was supposed to use only premium.

I'm at work right now and accidently left the manual at home so I'll have to check when I get off. Does anyone think this is true. One of my friends said that car is not a luxury car and that it should take regular. Here's a pic of the jeep:




He told me to put seafoam in the gas thing and I did. He said that will help. He told me when the gas gets to 100 miles to 0 to put another can in.

Also the gas cap doesn't say what kind of gas so I will have to read the manual when I get off. Was wondering if any experts up here had some type of input.

I want to cry right now because I can't afford another car like that.

 

Regular is fine. Do your friends have higher compression in their engines or do they like throwing money in the wind?

 

Could be you got fuel with water in it. Happens more often than most think. Put a bottle of dry gas in it.

 

I honestly don't know

 

Could be a wet distributor, too.

 

You have no info listed on your WJ as to engine but I'm guessing the 4.7HO V-8 the same as I have in mine an 04. If it is all I run is reg. in it also and zero problems with power or anything else and prem. fuel is not required to run properly.


The poster who said that you got some water in the fuel would be my first guess also or could have been silt fron the bottom of the stations fuel tanks if they were very low and just filled. I had that happen once myself along with a dozen other people, the station paid for the tow and repairs.


Dump some "Heet" into the tank as well to remove water.

Edit:
Don't worry about another car your fine no harm no foul.


BTW Welcome to the forum hope we can help you in the future!!! Please take the time to fill out your user CP info makes it easier to help you.

 

87 octane is just fine. Skip the loads of seafoam. These guys have no idea what they're talking about.

 

Whether it is the 4.0 I6 or the 4.7 V8, anything higher than regular gas is nothing more than a waste of money. Stop asking that friend for car advice....seriously.

Nice-looking WJ by the way.

 

Exactly^^.

 

Curious if it has continued to do it.

Have the fuel pressure checked?

 

What brand gas did you buy ?

 

as aforementioned, the grade of gasoline will not cause those problems. putting diesel fuel in it will, though. you have a different issue not related to octane rating. I'm sure your friends mean well, but it is evident they have no idea what they're talking about.

I would be looking for something electrical. when it has those problems see where the fuel and ignition systems have power.

 

Judging by the mentioning that its a mechanic friend that sold it to you, and the fact he thinks that it needs prem. fuel. Leads me to believe he doesn't know what he's doing and sold you a lemon or his unfixed problems

 

Agreed

 

Lets hope not that a so called friend would do that, but when it comes to money.........