fuel pump replacement

What does a fuel pump do?

Most modern vehicles that use a combustion engine will require a fuel pump. Cars either have electric pumps mounted within the fuel tank or mechanically worked pumps that are located closer to the engine. The pump's main purpose is to send the fuel from the tank to the engine.

Firstly, fuel in your tank is drawn up by the fuel pump and sent through a pipe that runs to the engine. If your fuel pump is electric, it’s operated by a small motor that draws the fuel sitting in your gas tank up through a line. In older vehicles with mechanical fuel pumps, the pump moves as your camshaft spins and fuel is drawn through using suction. Air is then injected into the fuel to create a mixture. Once that mixture is in the cylinder a spark is added to the fuel. The energy released by this process powers the crankshaft, thus allowing your engine to power your car.

This process is essential in the smooth running of your vehicle, therefore a faulty fuel pump will cause major performance and drivability issues with your vehicle.

How often does a fuel pump need replacing?

Fuel pumps are not part of a regular maintenance schedule and only need to be replaced when they fail. As your fuel pump begins to wear out you may begin to experience issues when starting your car and when driving (see above symptoms). Most fuel pumps should last at least 100,000 miles.

If you think your fuel pump may be failing you should book it in for a replacement as soon as possible. Putting off a fuel pump repair could cause more problems in the long run and could end up costing you more money down the line.

What happens when we do a fuel pump replacement on your car?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Use diagnostic equipment to read the ECU for possible fuel system related fault codes.

• Inspect the fuel supply system and the fuel pump.

• Replace the fuel pump if necessary.

• Inspect other related components and advise if any need to be replaced (like the fuel filter).

• Test drive the car and check for any leaks.

What causes a fuel pump to break?

Like with many car parts, due to continuous use, the fuel pump can wear out over time and eventually fail. Depending on whether the car has a mechanical or an electronic fuel pump a number of issues can arise.

Another cause of fuel pump failure is contamination, which can be caused by dirt and debris entering the system when refuelling or from using poor quality fuel. Driving frequently with a low fuel level can also accelerate wear on the fuel pump, due to dirt at the bottom of the fuel tank being drawn into the pump.

What are the symptoms of a bad fuel pump?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• Trouble starting your car could indicate issues with the fuel pump.

• A rough or unsteady engine.

• If your car is leaking fuel.

• If the 'Check Engine' warning light illuminates.

• If the car has poor acceleration.

• A hissing noise coming from near the fuel tank.

How often should you replace your fuel pump?

Fuel pumps are not part of a regular maintenance schedule and only need to be replaced when they fail. As your fuel pump begins to wear out you may begin to experience issues when starting your car and when driving (see above symptoms). Most fuel pumps should last at least 100,000 miles.

What happens during a fuel pump replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Use diagnostic equipment to read the ECU for possible fuel system related fault codes.

• Inspect the fuel supply system and the fuel pump.

• Replace the fuel pump if necessary.

• Inspect other related components and advise if any need to be replaced (like the fuel filter).

• Test drive the car and check for any leaks.

What is the average life of a fuel pump?

The lifespan of car parts vary from car to car and from driver to driver, however most fuel pumps should last at least 100,000 miles.

Can you drive with a bad fuel pump?

A bad fuel pump could cause unexpected drops in power or even cause your car to come to a complete stop. Therefore if you think your fuel pump may be failing you should avoid driving your car and book it in for a replacement as soon as possible.

What happens if you don't change a broken fuel pump?

If you think your fuel pump may be failing you should book it in for a replacement as soon as possible. Putting off a fuel pump repair could cause more problems in the long run and could end up costing you more money down the line. A failing fuel pump could cause unexpected drops in power or even cause your car to come to a complete stop. A broken fuel pump may also prevent you from being able to start your car meaning you could end up stranded away from home.

Do fuel pumps deteriorate with age?

Like with any part of an engine, eventually your fuel pump will begin to wear out and not perform as well. However, fuel pumps shouldn’t need to be replaced regularly, in fact most should last at least 100,000 miles.