Have a local LEO's 97 XJ in my driveway, did some work for him and noticed the drivers rear shock hanging.

Crawled under and there is also a rotted and broken steel line to/from the fuel tank, it's plastic to a rubber hose to the steel line. What is it? Vapor return?

Figure i'll just cut the rotted steel line back further and get a longer rubber line, but want to make sure I get appropriate fuel line if it's needed.

 

Smaller line is vapor return to the canister, larger line is fuel. It's probably the vapor line, they seem to rust out first. (if it is broken and not spraying fuel, it isn't the fuel line)

 

Common fault.

It's the fuel tank roll-over valve vent line to the charcoal canister.

Replace the steel tube with fuel rated rubber hose.

 

Thanks..

Could this cause a long crank to start? Owner said that's recent, wondering if it's related.

 

No, but a defective check valve in the fuel pump module will.

Before starting the Heep, turn the key to RUN, without starting the engine. You should hear the fuel pump run for a couple of seconds. Repeat turning the key to RUN, then attempt an engine start. If it starts, more than likely the check valve(s) in the fuel pump module are allowing fuel pressure to drain back to the tank (losing the fuel rail prime).

It may take up to three prime cycles to get it going if the pump is going to hell. You can get a diagnostic fuel pressure gauge kit from O'reilly, Advance., etc., on a loaner basis. Check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail test port. You should see around 49 psi when the pump is running.

Pressurize the fuel rail with the fuel pump then shut it off. Wacth how fast the fuel pressure bleeds off. If it drops below 30 psi in less than 5 minutes, the check valve(s) are leaking or a fuel injector is leaking.