My vehicle is starting to have difficulty 'starting' (though not too bad yet) this past week. A few days ago, I noticed a pool of gasoline forming under the rear axle on the drivers side. When I inspected the pool.. I see a part external to the tank and slightly higher than the tank very wet and dripping. The dripping occurs after I stop the vehicle (presumably while driving as well) and stops a little while after I stop driving the vehicle. To the best of my knowledge, this is the fuel pump (there are lines going to the gas tank and to the front of the car).. however, every mechanic I talk to on the phone says the fuel pump is inside the tank. In attempting to research this, I find this may have been true for older jeeps.. but I don't think it is for my year.

Am I wrong in thinking this is the fuel pump? If so, what part is it?

It looks easy to replace to me.. but all the information I find says it is not an easy job since you have to drop the gas tank etc. Is this information true for the 1995 Jeep Cherokee Sport (4l 6cyl)? I find it hard to believe since the part is isolated from the tank and looks easy to get to.

Any information you can provide is appreciated...

ok, I have done some more investigating... and determined that it is the fuel filter that is leaking (or the hoses that attach it). I was thrown off by the electrical wires that appear to be goin into the part.. but after playing with the wires I can see that they are actually going behind and around the fuel filter... to the gas tank where the fuel pump must be. This is good news... as a fuel filter is much easier (and cheaper) to replace.

I may try to do it myself and save $50-80 in labor... as it appears to be a very straight forward job... unbolt the retaining piece and loosen the retaining wires on the rubber hoses. The only thing that scares me is the bolt and wires appear quite rusted.. and that always leads to trouble. I have also read that I must release the pressure first.. though I haven't found the release valve yet. The only other 'problem' is that it is very cold outside... too bad this did not happen in the summer.

Anything else I should be aware of... or suggestions on changing the fuel filter?