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Fuel Pump

Fuel Pump
Short & Sweet

Purpose:

The fuel pump pushes fuel to the engine from your fuel tank.

Symptoms:

If your fuel pump is partially working, you may notice your car running rough. If it isn’t working at all, your car will not start.

Care & Repair:

The fuel pump is a very important part of the fuel system, so it’s generally a top consideration. However, they don’t need to be replaced in newer vehicles as much as they did in older ones. According to agcoauto.com, it is estimated that, “50% of all fuel pumps replaced are misdiagnosed and not the cause of the problem they were replaced to correct.” Different cars have common issues, depending on your type of car. Some may have fuel pump problems more often than others. You either have a car with a common fuel pump problem or you don’t. That is not to say that any car can’t have a fuel pump issue, it just isn’t very common.

Cost:

The cost to replace a fuel pump varies depending on the complexity of your fuel pump. To get an estimate on a fuel pump for your car in your part of the country, go to www.repairpal.com.

Purpose

The fuel pump pushes fuel to the engine from your fuel tank. Some cars (diesels especially) have more than one fuel pump: a fuel pump in the fuel tank and a fuel pump in the engine. If a car has two fuel pumps, there is usually a lift-pump which is located in the fuel tank. This pulls gasoline out of the tank and towards the engine. The second is a high pressure pump that forces (at high pressure) the fuel though the engine.

 

Symptoms

If your fuel pump is partially working, you may notice your car running rough. If your fuel pump isn’t working at all, your car will not start. This is because no fuel is being pumped to the engine.

 

Care & Repair

There are four main things that can go wrong in an engine: fuel, spark, timing, and compression. Timing and compression can be more complicated, so most of the time technicians look for problems with fuel and spark first. The fuel pump is a very important part of the fuel system, so it’s generally a top consideration. However, fuel pumps don’t need to be replaced in newer vehicles as much as they did in older ones. According to agcoauto.com, it is estimated that, “50% of all fuel pumps replaced are misdiagnosed and not the cause of the problem they were replaced to correct.” Different cars have common issues, depending on your type of car. Some may have fuel pump problems more often than others. You either have a car with a common fuel pump problem or you don’t. That is not to say that any car can’t have a fuel pump issue, it just isn’t very common.

There are some people that believe that your car might be susceptible to fuel pump problems if you let the gas get too low. Here is an article about whether or not you should let your gas go below a quarter of a tank; read the facts and decide for yourself!

Cost

The cost to replace a fuel pump varies depending on the complexity of it. Some have built in computer modules and they can cost $500 – $600 for just the part. A less complicated fuel pump can run as low as $100. The cost of the labor will also vary depending on how hard the fuel pump is to access and replace. For example, Volkswagen technicians can access the fuel pump via the backseat, making replacement easier. In some cars, the technician has to lower the fuel tank, which can be difficult, time consuming, and probably more expensive for you. To get an estimate on a fuel pump for your car in your part of the country, go to www.repairpal.com.

About The Author

Pedals and Pumps

PedalsandPumps provides direct, honest information about car maintenance and repair. We provide money and time saving tips for readers who want to maximize their dollar and simplify their auto owning experience.

TIP:

If you have lost a cap on your tire inflation valve, mention it at your next oil change and the technician will probably replace it for your for free. More ways to tell if you have a tire pressure issue.

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