signs of the fuel pump goin bad?

[Ben824]

I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any early warning signs that the fuel pump is goin bad? My 97 XJ I6 has had issues starting after sitting a while not everytime but more often lately sometimes I have to give it a lil throttle starting. I know that the fuel pump primes itself in the ignition "on" position so I let it sit in the on the position for a few seconds and then turned it on and it just took a couple turns b4 firing right up. So like I said is this a sign that my fuel pump is goin bad or is my jeep just gettin old? Im pretty sure the fuel system is in decent shape beacause I use fuel system cleaner pretty regularly every 10K atleast and I just had a local shop run the BG fuel system cleaner system kit thing through it and the guy said that you can usually tell how bad the engine was dirty by how much white smoke comes out while running the BG stuff through it and he said my jeep barely put out any white smoke just a good poof when first started and lil poofs if reved but thats about it. Any suggestions on a possible cure would be great.

 

[4LowandGo]

Have you changed the fuel filter recently? If you did, did you remember to put the arrow facing forward towards the front of the vehicle?

 

[troy]

I could be wrong, but the fuel filter is in the tank in the '97+ XJs. It is also just a mesh screen, so it typically isn't replaced.

The fuel pump symptoms on my XJ was that it took several (usually 3) ignition cycles (key on, key off, key on) to get the fuel line primed enought to have a quick start. If I didn't prime it, it would crank for almost a minute before it had enough fuel to start.

It is an expensive job if you have a shop do it. It is not that hard to do it yourself. Drop tank, remove old pump, install new, and you're done. Just make sure to have a nearly empty tank before you drop it.

 

[Ben824]

I had an 88 comanche that had a fuel filter that I had to change and I went hunting down the fuel line for one on my 97 and I came up with nothing. I followed the fuel line from where it comes out the fuel tank all the way up to the fuel rail. I have heard that my 97 has an in the tank fuel filter but I haven't had anyone confirm this for me.

 

[Wildmatt]

Something else that it could be is a sticky IAC valve. If giving stepping on the gas slightly makes it start better, it could be time to take it off and clean it. It is cheap and easy to clean so it might be worth it just because.

 

[dru9]

I haven't had any experience w/ the fuel pump on my XJ going bad, but on my other vehicles, the pump was noisier than it normally would be - louder, uneven buzzing.

 

[motorman]

just replaced pump in my '98. there are two filters around the pump. both are mesh.

check fuel pressure at the fuel rail to see if your pump is okay. If pressure is consistent your pump is not your problem. Pressure point is shrader type valve on fuel rail. Be careful, this is a high pressure fuel rail.

At start up pump will run about 2 seconds. if it doesn't see fuel pressure it will shut the pump down to prevent it from overheating.

 

[Jeff-97XJ]

Something else that it could be is a sticky IAC valve. If giving stepping on the gas slightly makes it start better, it could be time to take it off and clean it. It is cheap and easy to clean so it might be worth it just because.

What is an IAC valve and where is it at?
Thanks,
JP

 

[mitsumotors]

sometimes your fuel pump will whine or squal if it is on its way out. if the bearing is gone on it. if you run your tank close to empty too often this is bad for the fuel pump as it is cooled and lubricated by the fuel in the tank.

 

[THISISWEIRD]

Sometimes, once a pump is going bad and fails to start, you can hop out, bang on the gas tank a few times and it will start up. It must need a little help to find a spot that isn't "bad". My K5 did that for about a week until I could replace it. Luckily, there was a hole from the PO in the rear floorboard that provided access instead of having to drop the tank. Very nice.

 

[Ben824]

well im not gettin any whining or noise comin from the pump while its runnin or atleast none that i can hear so ill try and clean that IAC and see if that does it for me. thanks for all the suggestions guys

 

[CharlesS]

Cleaning the IAC (Idle Air Controller) will not help your vehicle start any quicker....
The IAC is to control the engines RPMs at idle....
You might consider removing the throttlebody from the intake manifold then remove all the sensors from it and thoroughly clean the throttlebody with throttlebody cleaner.... paying special attention to the ports....
Cleaning the throttlebody would be recommended every couple years depending upon mileage and conditions you drive in....
While this may not cure your starting problem... it will certainly help engine idle, acceleration and gas mileage....