Fuel Pump Life

Does anyone have any data on the expected life of the fuel pump. My 97 4.0 has 150K + and as I recall my 93's fuel pump gave it up around this point. The fuel sending unit is acting up and I am wondering if this is an indication that the whole pump is about to go. Due to the extreme labor costs I am thinking of replacing the pump myself if needed. Anyone have experience/advice with this project?

Thanks,
Rich

On our old 95 jeep with 153,000mi, no prob with the fuel pump. i guess they can go at any time.

They will last a good long time if you keep at least a half tank full keeping the pump submerged in fuel. They are cooled by the fuel. If you run on empty alot you will shorten the life of the pump.

Be thankful, ours went in 50 K miles and from what I have read its not uncommon at all. 2000 GC. If I recall correctly the 91 -98 models are in the tank and even worse. Still if its lasted that long it may well just keep going.

The fuel tank sending unit has nothing to do with the pump operation. On the 97 the pump sits in the bottom of a can which remains full of fuel (and sometimes rusty water at the bottom). This unit, the fuel tank module consists of the can, pump, pump inlet strainers, sending unit, pressure regulator, and filter. The sending unit is a plastic solid state module that clips on to the side of the can.

A new pump, fuel strainers and tank unit gasket costs about $105. The fuel tank sender unit costs about $27 at the Jeep stealer.

The sender unit is supposed to have been changed by the dealer on a recall. I had to do mine myself.

I had a problem with my pump that was caused by rust particles clogging the two fuel pump inlet strainers due to someone's gas pump filters not being very efficient, and I got some trash in the tank that clogged the strainers.

You will have to drop the tank to get the tank unit out, as it is located in the top of the tank. A bit of a job, but I have done it twice on my 97 and it's not too bad. I think that if you buy your gas at a reputable station, and you don't get contamination in your tank, that the pump will last longer than 150K. I had 100K on my 97 when I dropped the tank, and since I had a hell of a time trying to just buy new plastic strainers unless I bought the new pump kit, I went ahead and changed it anyway.