Sylvie Willis
A fuel pump delivers gas or diesel to an engine's combustion chamber. Usually, a fuel pump will last for many years without any issues. However, sometimes it may need to be replaced. This could be because it is not delivering enough fuel pressure or pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine. A faulty fuel pump could also be the reason for struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the check engine light illuminating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to replace a fuel pump | When it's not delivering enough fuel pressure to meet specifications or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine |
| How often to replace a fuel pump | Typically, you shouldn't need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions |
| Signs of a faulty fuel pump | Struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the "check engine" light illuminating |
| Fuel pump replacement process | It can be completed in 12 seamless steps; however, it is recommended to have an assistant to facilitate the process |
| Fuel pump components to replace | Fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel pump not delivering enough fuel pressure
If your fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel pressure to meet specifications or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. This can be completed in 12 steps, but it is recommended to have an assistant to facilitate the process. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface and set the parking brake. Find the fuel pump, which on most vehicles is in the fuel tank. Once located, open the fuel cap and have an assistant turn the key to the ON position while you listen at the filler opening.
A faulty fuel pump may be the reason for struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the “check engine” light illuminating. Fuel pump replacement is moderately complicated and may involve removing the fuel tank if no access panel exists in the passenger compartment. Parts and labour costs for fuel pump replacement vary depending on the vehicle, age, and geographic region. A fuel pump delivers gas or diesel to an engine’s combustion chamber and usually provides many years of trouble-free operation.
Typically, you shouldn’t need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions. When replacing the fuel pump, consider replacing related components such as the fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket.
If you decide that it’s too big a job to tackle on your own, you can always get a qualified professional mechanic to help you.
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Fuel pump not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine
If your fuel pump is not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. This can be completed in 12 steps, but it is recommended to have an assistant to help you. Park your vehicle on a firm, level surface and set the parking brake. Find the fuel pump, which on most vehicles is in the fuel tank. Once located, open the fuel cap and have an assistant turn the key to the ON position while you listen at the filler opening.
A faulty fuel pump may be the reason for struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the "check engine" light illuminating. Fuel pump replacement is moderately complicated and may involve removing the fuel tank if no access panel exists in the passenger compartment. Parts and labour costs for fuel pump replacement vary depending on the vehicle, age, and geographic region. A fuel pump usually provides many years of trouble-free operation, but occasionally you may find one that needs replacement.
Typically, you shouldn't need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions. When replacing the fuel pump, consider replacing related components such as the fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket.
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Faulty fuel pump causing engine overheating
If your fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel pressure to meet specifications or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. This is a moderately complicated process and may involve removing the fuel tank if no access panel exists in the passenger compartment.
A faulty fuel pump can cause engine overheating. If your engine suddenly starts to overheat and stall, but you have plenty of coolant and no visible radiator problems, it could be your fuel pump. This is because the fuel pump should maintain the vehicle manufacturer's recommended fuel pressure at all times. If it's failing, it can't always do that. If your vehicle has been sputtering and/or stuttering, check the fuel pressure to confirm or deny it is a fuel pump problem.
A not-so-obvious indication of a possible fuel pump failure is engine overheating. When the fuel pump is heated frequently within a few moments of turning the vehicle on, such as is common in stop-and-go driving patterns, the fuel pump may overheat and cause the engine to overhead too. Typically, you may drive for 15 to 30 minutes, and then suddenly stop working and the engine gets hot. If after letting the engine cool down it functions appropriately again, only for the behaviour to repeat, this is a good sign the fuel pump is failing.
Difficulty starting your engine is a common symptom of an overheating fuel pump or failing components. An overheating fuel pump can compromise engine starts by disrupting the fuel flow and proper circulation, leading to starting failures or problematic engine operation. If your engine begins stumbling or emitting unusual popping sounds once you engage the accelerator pedal, it indicates a faulty fuel pump.
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Replacing fuel pump components
If your fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel pressure to meet specifications or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. This can be completed in 12 steps, but it is recommended to have an assistant to facilitate the process. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface and set the parking brake. Find the fuel pump, which on most vehicles is in the fuel tank. Once located, open the fuel cap and have an assistant turn the key to the ON position while you listen at the filler opening.
When replacing the fuel pump, consider replacing related components such as the fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket. You can shop for all of these car parts at your local AutoZone. Typically, you shouldn’t need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions.
A faulty fuel pump may be the reason for struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the “check engine” light illuminating. Fuel pump replacement is moderately complicated and may involve removing the fuel tank if no access panel exists in the passenger compartment. Parts and labor costs for fuel pump replacement vary depending on the vehicle, age, and geographic region.
If your pump is sealed in a plastic housing, or "bucket", you can take the pump out of the bucket and put a new pump in, but this may require re-gluing the housing, some hose clamping, and sometimes soldering.
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Fuel pump replacement costs
If your fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel pressure to meet specifications or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. Fuel pump replacement is moderately complicated and may involve removing the fuel tank if no access panel exists in the passenger compartment. Parts and labour costs for fuel pump replacement vary depending on the vehicle, age, and geographic region. Typically, you shouldn't need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions.
When replacing the fuel pump, consider replacing related components such as the fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket. If you decide that it's too big a job to tackle on your own, you can always get a qualified professional mechanic to help.
A $23 fuel pump is likely to be poor quality and may not last long.
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Frequently asked questions
If your fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel pressure or not pumping enough fuel to keep up with the engine, it may need to be replaced. Other signs of a faulty fuel pump include struggling to maintain speed, engine overheating, sputtering, or the “check engine” light illuminating.
Typically, you shouldn’t need to replace a fuel pump before 100,000 miles, but there are exceptions.
Replacing a fuel pump can be completed in 12 steps. It is recommended to have an assistant to facilitate the process. You will need to park the vehicle on a firm, level surface and set the parking brake. The fuel pump is usually in the fuel tank. Once located, open the fuel cap and have an assistant turn the key to the ON position while you listen at the filler opening.
When replacing the fuel pump, consider replacing related components such as the fuel filter, fuel pump strainer, and fuel tank O-ring or gasket.
You can replace just the fuel pump. The pump is sealed in a plastic housing, the "bucket", which prevents fuel starvation in cornering and helps keep the pump cool.
