Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel tank issues
If you have a Jeep Grand Cherokee WH WK 3.0 CRD, then sooner or later you will be facing issues with leaking fuel tank. That’s for sure unless you live in the Sahara.
The problem is in the design of the Jeep diesel tank, it has a bad design flaw. A metal skid plate protects the Jeep fuel tank from mechanical damage from the bottom and sides. This is an essential solution, because without protection, a large stone could break the tank. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not think about the fact that sand, mud and water splashes directly onto the Jeep fuel tank from under the rear wheels of the car.
All this accumulates between the tank and the protection plate – the grains of sand rub off the paint, and the tank is left unprotected against rust. Over time, the unpainted part starts to rust, and it doesn’t take long for the rust to get through the thin sheet metal.
The result is a leaking Jeep WK fuel tank. It is especially critical in countries where it snows and road crews sprinkle salt to prevent slipping. In such places, the Jeep fuel tank can rust through in a couple of years. It is also not rare that a person has changed the tank once and the new one also rusts through. Rusting is not a problem in dry climates.
Plastic fuel tank for Jeep Grand Cherokee WK WH and Commander XH XK 3.0 CRD Diesel models
The question arises why car manufacturers use such solutions and make such a critical part out of metal. The answer is simple, it is cheaper and faster to produce a metal tank. Probably everyone has heard how car manufacturers earn less from selling cars and more from spare parts. The problem was so big that we made a HDPE plastic fuel tank for Jeep Grand Cherokee / Commander as a solution. Our Jeep fuel tank is suitable for diesel fuel. It is not suitable for gasoline Jeep. We make our Jeep diesel fuel tanks from HDPE plastic, which is certified as suitable for all types of diesel fuel. It is also Biodiesel friendly.
We use 11 kg of material to manufacture each fuel tank, giving it a wall thickness of 6–7 mm and resulting in a very strong, durable product. HDPE belongs to flexible plastics and it is not brittle and will not crack. Our WK/WH Jeep fuel tank can take a hit — even when turned upside down while full of fuel. The tank remains intact and the fuel remains inside. Not to mention rusting, there’s no way our Jeep fuel tank will ever rust – PLASTIC DOESN’T RUST…
Repaired vs new fuel tank for Jeep Grand Cherokee
If you can’t decide whether a repaired or brand-new diesel fuel tank is better for your Jeep, here’s something to consider. Some time ago, I watched a mechanic repair an old, rusty metal tank.
He first cleaned off the heavy rust on the outside with a sandblaster. Then he applied liquid polyester resin to the tank using a pincer. After the outer layer dried, he poured a few liters of the same resin inside the tank and rotated it until the inner coating hardened as well.
When I asked about the fuel tolerance of the polyester resin, the repairman shrugged his shoulders that who cares. Added that the main thing is that the tank finally looks good and new, someone will buy it anyway…
You see many of these low quality jeep grand cherokee fuel tanks on sale on various platforms – we highly recommend – not to install these repaired fuel tanks.
Suitability of fuel tanks with biodiesel
Diesel dissolves many plastics, while biodiesel is even harsher — few plastics or rubbers can resist it. When biofuels emerged, manufacturers separated vehicles into two groups: biofuel-compatible and non-compatible. Authorities and owners scrapped most older cars or banned them from running on biodiesel or biogasoline.
This issue wasn’t about engine design, but about the fuel system seals. Biofuel attacks the seals, dissolving them over time and causing blockages in fuel filters and injectors.
The same problem occurs when a manufacturer uses uncertified plastic in a Jeep fuel tank. At first, everything seems fine, but over time diesel starts dissolving the plastic. Microscopic particles break loose and travel with the fuel — some clog the filter, while others reach the injectors.
These tiny plastic fragments quickly wear out the injectors and cause serious clogging. Painted metal tanks pose the same risk. Can you trust the chemical resistance of paint on a cheap metal tank, especially one from cost-cutting Chinese factories?
We build our Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel tanks from certified HDPE plastic that fully resists biodiesel.
Choosing a fuel tank
Some Jeep fuel tank sellers advertise their products as plastic tanks but actually sell tanks made of metal. The reason for this deception is simple — plastic tanks are of higher quality and more desirable to buyers.
The easiest way to identify the material of a tank from an image is by looking for ventilation valves. On plastic fuel tanks, the ventilation valves are visible from the outside. They are usually white, round, and there are typically two or three of them located on the upper part of the tank.
Manufacturers install vent valves inside metal tanks, so you can’t see them from the outside. This design difference makes it easy to tell metal and plastic tanks apart if you know what to look for.
If you can choose between metal and plastic, always go with an all-plastic tank — you’ll never need to replace it or worry about fuel system problems again. Avoid plastic-covered metal tanks, and steer clear of repaired tanks unless the seller shows you a certified document proving the materials used.
You have come to the right place to get your new Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel tank – our product is a direct replacement for OEM Part number 68033748AA
Please visit our SHOP to place an order!
