Power output in the cold

[KaiScott]

Hi,

I have a 1984 CJ7 and I was wondering if anyone knew how to solve this problem, I'll try my best to explain it. I live in the Colorado mountains so it can get pretty cold. Whenever it's cold, my jeep puts out very little power and struggles to climb up any somewhat steep roads. I constantly have to downshift from third to second to avoid stalling. When it's warm, my jeep can do this road in fourth. I have replaced the spark plugs, new air filter, and cleaned the carb. Does anyone have any ideas for what I should do to make it perform better in the cold?

Thanks,
Kai

 

[Patrick]

Bad thermostat or lack of one. Your temperature gauge is key here.

 

[KaiScott]

Thank you for your response! most of my gauges don't work, are you referring to the oil temp gauge or some other one? How would one go about fixing it?

 

[Tinman22]

Check the heat riser.
Vacuum pot on air cleaner horn
Thermal switch
Vacuum hose
Tube going too the exhaust

When it’s cold cold moisture in air being pulled into the carb freezes due 2 the pressure drop and forms ice inside the carb throat decreasing the throat size and causing a restriction resulting in horsepower loss.

Just an idea

 

[hole]

Could be a few (or more) different things, but the advice can vary with your set-up, is your CJ all stock? Do you let it warm up for a few minutes before taking off?

 

[RiverandSand]

Thank you for your response! most of my gauges don't work, are you referring to the oil temp gauge or some other one? How would one go about fixing it?

The gauges your jeep came with are oil pressure and voltage which are on your dash. Water temp and gas gauge are located in your speedo cluster. The tach was optional depending on trim level.
Engines of that era operate best when temps are 180 to 195, mainly due to smog regulations. Earlier engines were 160 up to 175 pre smog. Modern engines can run up to 220.
As said above check your t-stat and any of the devices used to preheat your engine.

 

[KaiScott]

I look into all of those options, and yes, even after it's been driven and warm, it still doesn't perform well in the cold. Thank you all for your help!