My understanding is that on a '98 XJ it is necessary to drop the fuel tank to the garage floor in order to replace/service the intank fuel pump, filter, pressure regulator or gauge sending unit.

One problem ! If the vehicle has a trailer towing hitch installed, the retaining straps and fasteners for the fuel tank are blocked from the technician and the fuel tank is held captive, unless of course, the trailer hitch is removed first.

My question; Has anyone faced this problem while serviceing their fuel pump ? My inclinations would be to locate and cut an access door in the rear compartment floor panel above the tank at the location of the fuel pump to avoid having to lower that tank.

How do you cut the floor w/out running the risk of causing a fire or worse ?

 

My 2000 came with factory tow package...no need to remove tow bar.
Here is a great write-up.

Oh, here is another great thread worth reading.

GL

 

I've got a 98 and I dropped the tank / replace the fuel pump/sender/filter assemby. My 98 has hitch but I did not have to remove it. The hitch is bolted to the side of the chassis as is not in the way at all.

Have you looked underneath yours?

Jeroen

 

Don't cut the floor.

The tank drops out between the hitch supports.

 

You're not talking to someone who is stupid. I'm the Dude who installed the trailer tow hitch.

The hitch assembly blocks access to the fuel tank retaining strap attachments ! Get it ?

 

Sounds like you'll have to drop that hitch. That sound easier than cutting a hole in the floor then patching it up

 

West Coast:

I had a Volvo sedan with an "in-tank" fuel pump and fuel gauge sending float. The Volvo design was to open the trunk lid, lift up the trunk carpet, find the circular floor plate, remove three screws, and lift off the cover plate.

There it all was; the bayonet mount that you knock counter clokwise with a "non-sparking" drift and the fuel pump working were out in your hand ready to take over to the work bench for either repair or replacement. It took about 15 minutes to remove the Volvo pump, if that much.

That's about how much time I would need to remove the Cherokee tow hitch. But then comes the hassle with the tank and getting the pump out the top.

Webb

 

Complete fuel pump for '95 1/2 and later XJ available on E-Bay from 123AutoPartsPlus for $101.99 and free shipping.

It appears to be " plug and play "

 

Geeez take a chill pill, id use a sawz all and cut ya a big *** hole so that way you can reach your differential drain plug as well, might as well kill two birds with one stone

 

Was that a joke?? Lol

 

Lol

 

why not just go through the bottom of the tank?

 

Was that a joke as well??

 

Hahaha

 

i removed the pump w/ removing the tank but could not get the new one back in so i guess that is no help