I have 183K on my 99' XJ. About half of the last few times I have tried to start my Jeep it turns over strongly, but does not start. It woulds like its not getting any fuel to me.

The last few times, it was when I went to go fuel up, after a 5 minute drive to the gas station. I shut it off, went in to prepay and get a drink. I fueled up and then went to turn it over. She cranks fast and strongly, but did not start.

I tried turning it over several times, no sputter, cough or anything. I then tried turning it over while flooring it. After two attempts, I was able to get it to come to life with that method.

I have a new distributor cap and rotor (replaced a month ago), plugs 2 years old now, wires too.

Being it has 183K miles, and the dry sounding starts (could be fuel or spark), is the pump the likely suspect?

Can a shop tell if it's bad by just checking the pressure?

I can't say the starting issue happens 100% of the time, but SEEMS to be after it sitting overnight, and then after I drive the 5 minutes to the gas station, fuel up, and then attempt to leave.

I'm a full-time student and thought I was going to miss my Algebra test today (no make-ups...) Yikes!

 

First thing I'd check is fuel pressure when the pump is running and the fuel pressure regulator. Sounds like it might be losing pressure after it shuts off. Maybe try priming the fuel pump three or four times before trying to start the Jeep, to build up pressure.

 

I tried priming it with the key four time this morning-started fine. I'll try and do that for the next 10 start cycles to see if its a consistent change and keep you posted.

 

You may be trying to push fuel through a clogged filter. Get under the truck and change the fuel filter first and then check your Fuel Pressure. )

 

I'd change your fuel filter I've had that clog up an my blazer did the same thing as yours plus if it's not bad it's good to change it there like 5 or 10 bucks max

 

Would be a good idea to clean and lubricate the IAC. Could be starving for air.

I would check fuel pressure before doing anything else after that. If it has trouble overnight and after short stops too, then you probably have a leak in the drain-back check valve, so everytime you kill the engine all the fuel runs out and you have to crank it to repressurize before it will do anything (this will show up in a pressure test, pressure will fall off very rapidly). If it only happens on short stops then that points to an injector leak that is wetting the plug (evaporates overnight).

 

I wish I had an external fuel filter. 99' is internal fuel sock I believe (last time I check into doing it a few years ago).

I'll try and bring it by the auto repair shop this weekend. I do have the 4 port fuel injectors I bought off a CF member here. Hopefully they aren't leaking???

 

When "priming" the pump with the key, starts every time. So I guess the FP is likely. Having the pressure checked this Saturday. Hope it's not too expensive to get replaced if so.

 

Well since the fuel pump is on top of the tank you've got two choices. Either drop the tank and do it properly or cut a hole in the boot floor under the carpet and pull the pump module out with the tank in place. It's probably worth pulling up your boot carpet before you make up your mind. It sucks to take off the tank and then find that you can see the carpet from underneath....

 

There are specs on how fast the fuel pressure should bleed down. Something like less than 20# in 1/2 hr....I'm just living with the poor mans prime, not ready to swap the pump over that stupid check valve.

This here is a different pump in 87 to........94? not sure there but maybe it's just the check valve.

 

This could mean one or more fuel injectors are leaking.

To test if the injector(s) are bleeding down it requires the proper test equipment to isolate the fuel pump supply line after the pump is turned off. By pinching off the fuel pump supply and reading the pressure at the fuel rail you can see if the pressure drops off rapidly. If it does, I would suspect leaking injector(s).

 

Sorry for the late update.

It was the fuel pump assembly. I didn't have the time/facilities to do it. $400 for a delphi fuel pump assembly.

Been working perfect ever since.

It's a DD and I couldn't have the downtime of doing it myself on the weekend at my old job (The only place I can work on bigger projects-since apartment complex doesn't allow it).

 

glad to see you got it fixed

 

sorry, wrong thread post. my apologies, couldn't figure out how to delete post!