Jeep Cherokee 1984-2001: How to Replace Oil Pump

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984-2001).

When you put oil in your Jeep Cherokee, the oil sits in the oil pan on the bottom of the engine. The oil sitting around in the oil pan doesn't do any good for your car, so creators created the oil pump, which is a part that is designed to pump the oil from your oil pan through your oil filter and into your engine. The engine's bearings are metal parts moving at a very high pace, so lubrication is a must. This oil is what lubricates the crazy moving bearings, which is what keeps it running for a very long time.

A failing oil pump comes with three signs and you can either experience one of them, two, or all three at the same time. The first common sign of a failing oil pump is low oil pressure, which happens when the oil pump fails to pump enough oil into the bearings. The second sign is a higher engine temperature. Since the friction of metal produces high temperature, the oil is designed to lower it; if the pump isn't pumping enough, the temperature could rise. The third sign is noise coming from your engine. When your engine has enough oil pumping through it, the lifters operate silently; however, when you start getting less oil in there, it starts making noises and the dryer it gets, the louder it will operate as it wears. Replacing the oil pump is not an easy procedure; however, it ensures your engine stays healthy. Read on to learn how you can replace the oil pump in your Jeep Cherokee.

Step 1 – Drain the oil

Before removing the drain pan, which is where the oil pump is located, you will need to drain the oil in it, as if you were performing a regular oil change. Open the oil fill reservoir under the hood to allow the system to breathe and drain properly, then slide under your car. Place a drain pan under the oil pan's drain bolt, then loosen the bolt by turning it counterclockwise. Be careful because oil will drain with momentum, so put on goggles if you feel the need to.

Step 2 – Raise your car

Raise the front of your vehicle and be sure to secure it with jack stands from the frame. This way your axle will drop as much as you can so you can make room for the oil pan to come out. Raise the Jeep as high as you can and set the jack stands as high as you can. This way the axle can drop freely.

Step 3 – Remove oil pan

Remove all the bolts around the oil pan holding it in place using your 12mm socket. When you remove them all, pull it down to remove. Use a scrapper to scrape off the oil seal from the oil pan and the side the oil pan bolts on to.

Step 4 – Replace oil pump

Remove the oil pump's bolts and pull it down, then install the new one in its place. Tighten the new oil pump in place and torque it to 17 ft. lbs.

Removing it as well as installing it is rather easy and a quick swap.

Step 5 – Install oil pan

Rub gasket all around the clean surfaced oil pan, and then put the gasket on it. Rub gasket on the other side where the oil pan attaches to, and then align the oil pan in place. Tighten the oil pans bolts: torque the small ones to 7 ft. lbs. and the bigger ones to 11 ft. lbs. Follow the sequence below when tightening the bolt, as this ensures your pan seals properly to avoid any leakage later on.

Step 6 – Add engine oil

Make sure the oil pan's drain bolt is tight, then lower the car. Open the hood and fill the engine with the oil if it's good. If it has been a while since you changed your oil, pour new oil in the system. Start your car and keep an eye out on the oil pressure, temperature, any sounds, and, most importantly, leakage. Go under the car for a few days after and monitor the oil pan for any leakage. If you seal it right and tightened it appropriately, you shouldn't get any leaks.

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