Howdy all, looking for some clarity...
XJs shutting off comes up a lot for different reasons but the situation here is:

1998 XJ auto, ran fine but completely drained fuel before I could get to a station. Died and had to refill / jerry can etc... got it going and filled right up.

Since then, the next day it drove, then shuddered (an engine sort of feeling) and turned off while driving twice within 5 minutes. No steering, brakes, engine etc.

Could driving the empty fuel tank have pulled some nasties into the engine and it's causing the failure?

I don't have tools to diagnose at hand... but some ideas of where to turn would be great!

 

I would start with checking the fuel pump because the fuel filters are in the tank and you could have plugged it up .

 

Hmm, makes sense!
Will this involve dropping the tank?
Would one of those fuel additives to "clean" things help?
This sort of thing: penrite cleaner

 

Thanks!
Hmm, I'll Look at changing the fuel filter - it seems pretty simple...
Fuel pump is maybe not so simple with dropping the fuel tank. Hoping a filter might be the culprit, simple fix-ish


Would a fuel additive like this help to clean things out? This sort of thing is what Im thinking...

 

Can't hurt, but probably won't help. Running out of gas can also cause the fuel pump to overheat, since it uses the fuel to cool itself.

Is it acting like it's not getting enough gas and losing power? If it's acting like you turned the key off, and the tach is dropping to zero, that is more often the crank sensor - but I'd suspect fuel pump first since it ran dry.

 

I just had an almost identical thing happen to my 99 I just picked up. It would run a while then eventually just die and it was crap in the tank gunking up the filter. Mine was so bad I decided to change the whole pump because I figured that was going to fail next. The particles got around the filter and into the pump. The filter is only 11-12 bucks if you can get away with just doing that. The whole pump/sending unit/filter assembly is around 200. You may end up needing a new seal for the tank too if you pull that out when the pumps comes out. Getting the locking ring off can be a real pain.

 

Hoping the filter is the fix.
Speaking of, picked up a replacement and all set to swap over... cant find the filter. From vids and diagrams it should be around the back axle...
Am i missing something plainly obvious or is it possible tucked in with the fuel tank / pump. I'm reading some can be a pump / filter combined.
Again it's a 1998 XJ 4.0 Auto, and i'm in Australia... if that changes things.
Attached are photos of what i'm looking at

 

So, it's dawning on me that with the 1998 XJ it's looking like an all in one, pump / filter / assembly.
After 1997 they changed things up...
If it's a case of changing the whole thing, dropping the tank etc... well that feels out of my skillset and tools right now. Short of a trip to the mechanic - and probably a very $$ job - is there a chance any additives can be put in the tank to break down the gunk that's likely clogging?

At this point the jeep drives for a minute, stops, turns over and goes again.... thennnn stops. There's a brief shudder then no accellerate/brakes/steering. Accessories stay on, so probably not the CPS?
Was hoping with a few cycles, it might work the gunk out of the lines, but not seeming like it'll happen without help or a change of parts That'll learn me for driving until fuel completely ran out, i guess...

Sorry for the novice queries & thanks guys, I do apreciate the help!

 

IF your problem is the filter being gunked up there's really nothing you can do other than changing it unfortunately. When mine was going if I cycled the key from off to accessory (DO NOT START IT) several times, I could build up a little extra pressure in the line and it would run longer. If I let it die, then just immediately restarted it, it would die much quicker. When I threw a fuel pressure gage on the rail, I was only getting 20 PSI with one cycle. When I cycled it 3-4 times I could build up to 45-50 PSI and it wouldn't stutter right away. That's what led me to the pump/filter. If you can get to the auto parts store to rent or buy a fuel pressure gage it's very easy to hook up to the rail. Hook it up and while the vehicle is running see if the pressure is dropping while it stutters. If it does, you probably have the same problem as me. If the pressure is 45ish and it just shuts off, your problem is likely not fuel related.

 

The filter for 97-01 is on top of the tank. It is a filter/fuel pressure regulator combo. The tank has to come down. You can find how-tos on Youtube.

 

I did a '98 XJ fuel pump this summer.
Took an hour, maybe less.

 

Looks as though your mention on the Crank Sensor was correct!
Have since had the jeep at the mechanic and the diagnosis points at the CPS. Having this replaced, so let's hope this is the fix and she'll be alive again!

Thanks all ~

 

the filter is in the fuel pump in the tank on a 98 there is no inline filter like earlier models the tank is plastic and it is not a big job to drop it and replace the pump module you can get one off rockauto they ship to australia only takes about 3 weeks to outback queensland

 

Thanks, good to know Rock is an option!

 

Hi!

Is it acting as though it is running out of gas and so losing power? It's more likely the crank sensor if it's acting like you switched the key off and the tach is dropping to zero,