2002 4.7 Grand Cherokee limited splitting fuel filters
 

Why is this Jeep blowing open fuel filters? Clearly it's an over pressure issue internally, in the fuel system. But what would cause that? A pinched line somewhere? Two filters in a span of six weeks. They busted at the plastic weld in the center. After the second one, I replaced it, and then the fuel pump started making a different noise, like it was going out, so I replaced it. 185,000 miles engine runs strong, no ignition, or idle issues. Never run the tank dry, and always fill with premium. After installed new fuel pump, I cycled the key on, and off to listen to the new pump and prime the system. Pump sounded normal. Pull out of shop and idling in driveway. Noticed a different sound immediately. Suddenly I'm hearing what sounds like a fuel pump in it's howling, death throws. No effing way. Turn off. Cycle key on and listen to the pump prime, and it no longer sounds like a healthy fuel pump. What's going on fellas? What's causing this?

A funny thing happened to me like that with my wife's Dodge Caravan. It didn't split the filter, but the pump started making more noise than normal and every time I filled the tank, a little fuel dripped on the ground under the tank. After a while, I became aware that I had a major leak in the filler pipe. It had rotted out because of built up road crap behind the fender liner. I no sooner fixed that than the pump started howling and very soon quit. I took it to the dealer for a new pump because I was working long hours in my job and didn't have the time to mess with it. They put a new Mopar pump in it that only lasted a week. I had told them about the new filler pipe, but they never thought to clean out the tank before putting a new pump in it. Supposedly, they cleaned it out before they put the second pump in it, but obviously they didn't because the second pump quit also! At that point, they said I never told them there might be sand or dirt in the tank and wouldn't fix it a third time. This was BS! I bought a NAPA pump and fixed it myself AFTER cleaning the tank MYSELF!. That pump lasted over a year, but started whining so I sold the van. End of story.

The point of this; is it possible there is foreign material in the tank that's plugging the filter and ruining the pump? On the WJ, the fuel pressure regulator is inside the filter. That's the reason for the third hose on it, return to tank. Do you have any kids or vandals around that might have put sand in the tank? Many years ago, my uncle caught my cousin dropping pebbles into the tank on his MGB!

I'm having the same issue you described in your dodge caravan. Fuel pump was whining and I was having long crank times. I replaced the fuel pump and filter yesterday, but the new fuel pump is howling loudly. Car starts and drives fine now, but I can't hardly hear the radio over the sound of the pump.