Topic: Jeep Cherokee’s diesel fuel filter (Read 5036 times)

Sooty · « **on:** December 16, 2018, 03:48:33 PM »

Hi...
While my engine was running,I open the bleeder on the bottom of the filter to check for water.
It cut out and won’t start, I recharged the battery and retried it.
Still it won’t start, are the crd systems self purging?

Jonny Jeep · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2018, 11:20:58 AM »

STANDARD PROCEDURE - PRIMING FUEL SYSTEM

NOTE: DO NOT force or pull up hard on the plunger
when priming the fuel system. Damage to the
plunger or fuel filter/water separate will result.
The fuel system must be primed if the fuel system
has been serviced. This is done using the fuel primer
plunger located at the top of the fuel filter/water separator.

(1) With service completed on the fuel system.
(2) Unscrew fuel system primer plunger by
unscrewing it counterclockwise (Fig. 1).
(3) Pull primer up out of bore until it stops (Fig. 1).
(4) Pump primer plunger up and down until air
bubbles cannot be seen in fuel filter cap at the bottom of the fuel filter/water separator (Fig. 1).

scrw · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2018, 11:32:53 AM »

Its really worth installing an electric lift pump on a KJ, makes bleeding and cold starting a bit easier.

http://www.offroading.net/wp/cherokee-electric-lift-pump/

Sooty · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2018, 12:31:43 PM »

Hi Jj
I just have a 10 mm bolt on the top filter housing,
It won’t let me post a picture

scrw · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2018, 03:41:13 PM »

look like this?

IMAG0045 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

Sooty · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2018, 03:58:46 PM »

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0IlMI46fovKGpXzXxfwmpNIAA

Looks different lol 😂

scrw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2018, 07:07:39 PM »

interesting, can't see a priming pump there!

Get a inline pump installed

Or get to a scrap yard to get a later style filter head, must say I have not seen one like the one you have there on a jeep!

Jonny Jeep · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2018, 10:49:36 PM »

It certainly looks different to the diagram i posted. I don't know what year the KJ diesel supplement I have is from so have no idea if the pump was changed between early/late models. That being the case, the engine might have to be bled the old fashioned way, which is how we have to do most of the stuff at work. Get somebody to crank the engine as you crack open each injector in turn. When they start spitting diesel tighten the fitting.

Sooty · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2018, 10:15:30 AM »

Jj..
Thanks for your help, you don’t know the half of it.
Am working in France in the middle of nowhere, on my own.
So working out why my jeep wouldn’t Fire up has been a night mare.
Thankful the job am at has The internet, or I’d be shitte street smelly sweet.!
🤪

scrw · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2018, 08:05:03 PM »

don't bleed a CRD by cracking the injector feed pipes !

I think someone has fitted a different filter head, never seen one like that. Easiest fix is to get a filter head with a primer pump, like this one http://www.euro4x4parts.com/parts/fpf1041-3008_filter_filter_head_diesel_05069072AA.html

I THINK the WG 3.1 has the same filter head so this may be useful to you https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-WJ-3-1-99-04-diesel-fuel-filter-mount-manifold-head-top/253951085164?fits=Car+Make%3AJeep%7CModel%3AGrand+Cherokee&hash=item3b20aa0a6c:g:IJ4AAOSw1u1b0xYm:rk:1:pf:0

bgbazz · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2018, 12:43:32 PM »

Have you managed to get her running again? Just for info, my 2003 2.5 CRD had the same filter assy as shown in the pic from scrw (blue filter.

If you are still struggling and alone out there, you might try this...

clean off the top of the housing, remove that 10mm bolt and pour some clean fuel into the hole until it overflows and let it settle for a while... you might have to keep adding a bit until it is completely full. Replace the bolt tightly and crank her over for 20 or 30 seconds. You may have to repeat the exercise until the fuel rail is fully charged...these things can be tricky buggers, but you already know that.

Good luck,

Sooty · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2018, 01:57:38 PM »

Hi Bgbazz
Yes I went for that option, used a big vets needle I found here on the job
It’s not worked so far, but I’ve got nothing to lose to Sunday, when my ferry leaves ..
Thanks for your advise though, it’s much appreciated
Regards
One pissed off sooty..!

The Smiths · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2018, 02:32:44 PM »

Is it a manual?

If so is there some one that can try a tow start?

Sooty · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2018, 04:09:11 PM »

Would a hard tow pull through the diesel?

bgbazz · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2018, 04:58:24 PM »

A bit 'iffy' but it might...before trying that, I would undo the filter end of the line which feeds the pump and ensure that it was full of fuel, re connect, check the filter is also full (as before) and try cranking it first. These mechanical pumps can't pump air; only fuel! Once you can get the motor to 'catch', you will be able to work from there, but I would be looking to get myself the proper filter head assy as a matter of priority.

My KJ had the electric lift pump fitted at the tank end, so fuel pressure was always positive while the ignition was on, so that maybe something to think about, a bit further down the track.

Don't give up!

scrw · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2018, 05:41:16 PM »

is the feed to the engine coming off the top of your filter housing rather than the side? expect it is. I am unsure how you will correctly bleed it given the filter housing is the top of the fuel system and there is no manual pump to purge the air, and your air bleed screw is lower than the feed pipe into the engine. Can you unbolt the housing from the bulkhead and rotate the filter so the bleed screw is higher than the lines into the filter head (if you see what I mean)

I had all sorts of issues bleeding mine, even with the manual pump, all fixed by installing an electric lift pump, and dead easy to do.

What i did do (and maybe will solve your issues) was install a clear inline filter in the feed pipe to the main filter, it gives you a new high point in the system and means you can see the air, also allows you to feed in fuel to purge the air manually (messy but works)

IMAG0113 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

scrw · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2018, 05:45:21 PM »

thinking about it, undo the filter housing from the bulkhead, flip the whole lot upside down so the water drain is the highest point, take out the water drain plug, and fill the filter housing up with fuel, may need to leave it a bit to allow the air to get to the top of the upside down filter housing. They have (well on the factory ones, unsure if yours is original) a glass bottom bowl, so you should be able to see the air.

Before you do the above, drain any water off from the bottom bowl!!

scrw · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2018, 05:46:55 PM »

bottom should be like this

IMAG0069 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

DON'T run it with the filter upside down and air in the system, there is a fuel heater in the bottom you could burn out if its sat in air rather than fuel

bigjeepzj · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2018, 09:44:55 PM »

had a the same problem after changing the filter on a 1998 manual ZJ.
used one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Low-Pressure-Universal-Electric-Fuel-Pump-Inline-Petrol-Gas-Diesel-HEP-02A/292439343199
to drag the fuel though the filter.
when you get it running you can un-hook it reconnect the pipes and you should be able crank it till it runs
were are you

Dutch · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2018, 09:02:44 AM »

Quote from: bigjeepzj on December 19, 2018, 09:44:55 PM

were are you

Am working in France in the middle of nowhere, on my own.

Author Topic: Jeep Cherokee’s diesel fuel filter (Read 5036 times)