My jeep has been starting hard and today I noticed it was leaking gas I stuck my hand up on top of the tank to see if anything was loose and there was gas all over. Didnt feel anything loose but I could move the pump from side to sidei assume I need a new pump which fuel pump should I get ? Ive heard to stay away from airtex.my jeep is a 1999 4.0 Any advice would be helpful thanks

 

Kinda sounds like the lock ring came loose or the seal failed

 

I think on a 99 you need to drop the tank to get to the pump on top. Might be till about 94 it's on the front. For sure 87-90 is on the front.

 

96 is still on the front, I think that changed in 97 or 98?
Yeah, skip the Airtex. Bosch and Walbro are the OEM's.

 

I cant find pumps from them anywhere. The best rock auto and summit have are carters, are they any good ? My pump is on the top of the tank

 

Airtex had some qc issues over the past couple years but sent out a notice saying they fixed them.

Buy a delco

 

It's possible that the pump you have may be ok. You should do a fuel pressure check. It may shed some light if this is the problem with the hard starts. You still should drop the tank down to see why it's leaking.

 

I think the first thing you need to do is drop the tank a little and see if you can tell what's going on. With the rubber o-ring that fits around the fuel pump assembly there shouldn't be any way the fuel pump will move side to side. If this is missing or partially displaced it could cause some leaking problems but typically won't cause problems with how the Jeep is running.

Most likely I think the pressure regulator is broken or the metal band that straps over the top of it came off. If it's just the metal strap that could be an easy fix, if you can find a new strap to put on it. But if it's the pressure regulator then you are into a new pump assembly. Go for the Bosch.

On Amazon's site they have a Bosch 67649 that at one time was listed to fit our Cherokees, but since I (and probably others) have informed them it doesn't exactly fit they changed that. I bought one and the only difference was the plug was reversed. I chopped the plug off my old pump and wired it to the body harness and it plugged right in. Pump works great. Not saying you should do this, but Cyber Monday pricing that starts at only $120 it's a heck of a deal. I paid over $160 a few months ago.

 

Very surprised you could get your hand up there. Most likely your fuel pressure regulator has failed and this is where the gas is coming from OR I guess maybe somehow the large threaded lock ring has broken. Getting
another ring might be an issue but it would make removing the the pump assembly easier.

You will need to drop the tank to complete this repair.
The Carter pump should be OK. Been running one for just over a year on my 97' XJ.

Other pointers....

Soak those j-bolts holding the gas tank in with PB-Blaster NOW.

You will need a REALLY big pair of Channel Locks as the threaded lock ring mentioned is BIG. Have also used big slotted screwdriver and rubber hammer to just tap it around to get it off.

Be careful with the black plastic line feeding the pump itself. It is attached with a quick disconnect. Just squeeze the tabs with needle nose it should release. Advance Auto Parts sells a HELP replacement if you damage.

My assembly was caked with dirt. If so just scrape it all out from around the ring and vacuum it out. Soak the ring with PB Blaster or something as well.

Remember you are around gasoline. Take your time. Good Luck.

 

Carter fuel pump modules are fine. Put one in my Heep and it works good (50 psi and accurate fuel quantity).

 

Regardless of the origin of the fuel leak (except the roll over valve/tube), if the pump is the original one, its probably due to fail anyway. Replace it.

 

Alright I ordered the carter pump, both strainers and a filter/regulator I just dropped the tank a week or. So ago so the straps and j bolts should/ better be ok .

Is there anything else I should get?

Also is there a way to get the gas out of the tank? I tried to siphon it out but of course jeep fit an anti siphon tank to a vehicle that can be started with any key

 

You say you dropped the tank a week or so ago... Is it possible that your problem is little more than the o-rings on the quick connector ??? Did you have the fuel pump out of the tank last week ??? If so was a new seal used ???

 

And there it is. Someone always wants to leave out an important bit of incriminating evidence....

 

I dropped it to patch a hole in my rear frame I didnt do anything to the pump except wipe the sand off it, doesn't explain why I can move the pump with my hand