bac0nfat

I've been having some issues with my fuel pump and have done some searching on the forum, but I still have some questions. I have a 1996 XJ with a whining fuel pump, and I need to prime the engine 2-3 times for it to start. After that it starts right up and runs 100% fine. So I believe that the problem is I have a bad check valve. I've been looking for a generic universal check valve to add to the fuel line as a quick-and-dirty fix, but it looks like that will cost almost 40 bucks:

http://smile.amazon.com/SUR-Auto-Par...ne+check+valve

So I figured, might as well fix it the right way. I can get a new bosch fuel pump for just a little more:

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BZL9J...I1ER47BS3NW5VP

But will that include the check valve? Or do I need to order some other part of the fuel pump assembly? My fuel pump assembly looks like this:



To make matters more confusing, apparently my 1996 is an "oddball year" where they put the fuel pressure regulator in the pump assembly instead of on the fuel rail, and that part isn't available anymore.

Basically what I need to know is, if I buy that bosch fuel pump, will that fix everything? The whine should go away and I wont have to prime anymore? Or should I just by that generic check valve and deal with the whine?

BTW, I just ordered a fuel pressure gauge to help diagnose this problem.

bender32

It sounds like the check valve. When I purchased my jeep it acted the same way. I used the poor man prime method for 3 months and the check valve fixed itself....I'm not saying this will work for You.... I'm just letting you know my experience with this problem. Good luck

md21722

Yes, it should fix your problem. When NAPA had a 20% sale on anything that would fit in a bucket I bought a new fuel pump assembly. My 97 XJ showed symptoms of the check valve issue and now it fires right up. With later XJ's the regulator also has a check valve and that plus the fuel pump gets closer to the cost of the entire assembly. I opted to replace the entire thing.

bac0nfat

The fuel pump I linked to isn't the entire assembly, it's just the pump part. Are you saying the pump itself has a check valve built in?

md21722

Both the pump and the fuel filter/regulator have check valves. If you get the entire assembly you get everything including a new sock and fuel level gauge. It may be better to pay $200 for the entire assembly so its one and done. 97+ require dropping the tank. If your year does not require dropping the tank, the part by part method may be a better solution.

bac0nfat

Updating with more info after I checked the fuel pressure with a gauge. 0 PSI before starting. 51 PSI immediately after starting. After about a minute, the pressure started fluttering between about 50-58 PSI. After shutting it down, pressure dropped to 0 in about 5 seconds.

So what now? Universal check valve, or replace the fuel pump?

Radi

I don't know if the check valve is located in the regulator or the fuel pump. No reason an external valve wouldn't work if that is the only problem. My '96 had a canister type fuel filter just ahead of the rear driver's side wheel, might be a good spot to install it.