Hello. I just replace my fuel pump because it needed it (when cold starting I would have to prime the pump a few times then start it). After I changed it I took a drive and went through 4 gallons of gas in less than 20 miles. I also ran like complete crap. The idle would hang at around 300-500, and at times it would just surge up to 900 and pull forward. When driving it would randomly surge and pull harder as well.

I have a 1998 so I had to drop the tank. I used an Airtex all-in-one pump that looked exactly like the OEM.

After I cranked it up it went to 1200 RPMs and right back down to 800-750 afterwards. Previously (with the old pump) it would rev up to 2500 and hang there for about 3 seconds then come down.

2 things to note that I also did when I changed the pump:

1. Replaced 5 spark plugs with champion coppers. A-Zone gave me a box which was missing just one.

2. Relocated the IATS from the manifold to my air intake (K & N). It's a good tight seal so there's no vacuum leak. I bought a shiny new one from A-Zone.


I'm pretty sure the IATS and spark plugs aren't the blame for my issue, but I can't leave them out. It was a new IATS

 

If it ran like crap before you replaced the pump, and it runs like crap after you replaced the pump.......why would you still think its the pump? Am I missing something?
Sounds like a good old fashion "major" vacuum leak.

Ron

 

It didn't run like crap at all before I replaced the pump. It had delayed starts. I have no vacuum leaks, oh expert one of assumptions.

 

can you test the pump pressure?

 

Sorry to put words in your mouth, If it were mine, I would describe it as running like crap.

Please, in your own words, describe how your Jeep runs.

Ron

 

also recheck the wires for correct firing order

 

Although I guess nearly anything's possible, I can't imagine why a particular brand of fuel pump would cause high fuel consumption. I'd go along with checking fuel pressure to verify that it's within spec.

I have heard of problems with Airtex pumps, but it's usually a longevity issue, not performance related. If the pump pressure is correct, the problem is something else.

 

Rechecking your plug wires are correct is job #1.

Put a gauge on the fuel rail. You should have 49 psi, plus or minus 5 psi for your 98.

Personally, I stay away from anything Airtex like the plague. I can't tell you how many threads I've read about them, along with my own personal experience.

IMHO, they are bottom of the barrel, for both reliability and infant mortality (early failure),
as well as their fuel pumps being loud.

They have a low price point and that is why many parts stores carry them, but you get what you pay for with fuel pumps.

If this were mine, I would install a Bosch fuel pump assembly; they're the best in the business.

 

The way I described it running is how it ran after I installed the pump.


Before, it ran normal. With the exception of extremely long cranks... which involved lots of sputtering and dying after I let off the ignition. I read a few threads over the internet and found that turning the key to the run position a few times to let the pump prime the fuel system was a dead giveaway that it was the pump. And it was.

I replaced each spark plug one at a time so I didn't mess up the firing order. I also ensure the plugs were on there good and tight.

That leaves... the fuel pump. I never knew anything about Airtex being bottom of the barrel. After looking online at autozone that was the only pump available in my area at all. I guess I should have checked NAPA.

 

Airtex fuel pumps suck bigtime-there are many threads about that brand.

 

When it comes to something extremely vital to the correct operation of my XJ, NAPA or the Dealer are the only places I go. For the exception of the alternator (bought at O'Reillys), everything on the front of my engine is a NAPA replacement minus the A/C comp and idler. There is a reason places like A/Z and Advance always have cheaper prices... their items are of a cheaper quality. Save yourself the worry next time for a major item replacement and go with NAPA or the Dealer.

 

Don't know quite how the fuel system on the cherokee is compared to the zj but it could be your fuel regulator. When it goes bad alot of times it will allow fuel to roll back into the tank so when you go to start it you have to crank more until it builds pressure back up. Now that you have a new pump if the regulator is faulty it could be letting way to much fuel in and making your jeep run super rich. Anyone feel free to correct me

 

BTW I just put an airtex fuel pump in about 3 months ago, its loud as hell but works great...so far

 

Thank you for the endorsement. Sadly, we no longer make these here in SC, but for the most part, the quality is still high.

David

Not only do I play the part of a Bosch engineer on CF, but I am also one in reality.

 

Perhaps I have only had bad luck with NAPA, but I wouldn't let them pay me to shop at NAPA. The last time I went there back in October of last year, my girlfriend's power steering pump ('99 TJ, 4.0L, AX-5, NP 231) went out after wheeling out in NM. We managed to get it to a NAPA, bought a new pump and I put it on. No big deal at all. It was a 200 mile drive home from the NAPA in question and with ten miles to go, we blew the pump again. Belt tension was correct, I took belt dressing and cleaned the entire belt to make sure that there was no sand anywhere, etc, fluid line was torqued properly, along with new o-rings. I managed to get it home somehow and the next day went to our local NAPA.

They told me that they wouldn't return it since it came from another NAPA. Dismayed, I settled for an exchange. To their credit, this pump actually worked and has had zero problems since. As to the undying quality of their products, I must attest that they are garbage Made in China crap. Not to mention, they are much more expensive than anyone else. Are Checkers/o'reilly's, AutoZone, etc any better? I would highly doubt it. Locally, I love CarQuest. If this had been an isolated incident, I could understand, but I did my clutch in my '96 XJ last September and NAPA sold me some bad parts that made the job much worse than it normally is.

That being said, I certainly hope that your experience with NAPA is flawless and not too expensive. I'm sure that all things vary from place to place, and that can be said for any parts store. My advice is to ask all of your buddies who work on cars and see who they like locally and how their parts hold up. Oh and one more thing: never buy from the dealership. Their markup is in the range of 800% (trust me, I know).