In the few weeks I have owned the 1993 XJ there has been a somewhat loud whine coming from the rear (gas tank area) but it would take a few minutes of driving before it would start doing it. Didn't do it when I bought the thing until about 30 minutes on the way home...

I had heard from another XJ owner at work that fuel pump noise was normal. However its been getting a bit louder. So I changed the fuel filter on the gas tank side the gas was very dirty (rust color).

Now the whine seems to be getting worse, it does it right when the jeep starts now and the pitch changes now as I accelerate. Also today, while accelerating, the engine stuttered a bit.

So I am thinking I need to replace the fuel pump. My question is, if I am replacing the fuel pump, and the tank has sediment/rust in it, should I 1) upgrade and get a new 20 gal tank but spend another $130+ or 2) take the tank somewhere and have it cleaned out (which sort of sucks because the Jeep is my DD atm or 3) ignore it and let the sock on the pump keep the sediment out?

 

I would go for the larger tank and a complete fuel pump assembly.

 

When I pulled my tank to replace the pump that little sock had fallen off, needless to say I had fun fishing for that. I would just replace the pump and go for the 20gal tank while you're at it

 

My pump Is kinda loud some times. When you have an emptry tank it is louder. I would look into a 20 gal tank if money allows you to.

 

Mine is 1/2 full now and its pretty loud.