The Last Gas (Fuel Pump Replacement).
January 14, 2024
You're heading down the road and you notice your vehicle is sputtering, like it's running out of gas. But the gauge show's it's still got a quarter of a tank. So what gives?
It could be that your fuel pump is failing, meaning your engine is not getting enough gas to run properly. While fuel pumps are built to last a long time, sometimes they fail. Other symptoms you may have a bad fuel pump include your vehicle stalling and then refusing to start again, the engine overheating or a hum or whirr coming from around the gas tank. Or, your Check Engine light may come on.
Most fuel pumps are in the gas tank. They have a small electric motor in them. When you bring your vehicle to our service center, a technician will run tests to confirm the fuel pump is getting power to it but has failed. Some vehicles have an access panel so the fuel pump can be removed and replaced.
But in some vehicles that don't have that access panel, the technician has to drain the fuel and take the tank out of the vehicle to be able to replace the fuel pump inside. Some parts such as brackets that attach the pump can be reused when the new fuel pump is installed. Most technicians will recommend replacing the fuel filter at the same time the fuel pump is changed out.
If the technician has to remove the fuel tank, they'll also check for rust and corrosion and replace any affected parts.
Keep one thing in mind - your vehicle's fuel pump is in the fuel tank because it's kept cool and lubricated by the gasoline in the tank. Try not to let your fuel level go below a half or quarter of a tank to maximize the life of your fuel pump. Also, try to use Top Tier gasoline that has higher standards than some other fuels. Your engine—and fuel pump—will thank you.
Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson
664 S Rochester Rd
Clawson, Michigan 48017
248-589-0980
http://www.toptechautorepairclawson.com
Need Service?
More articles from Top Tech Auto Repair Clawson
Before You Buy that Used Vehicle (Having a Used Car Inspected Before Buying)
November 17, 2024
Let's face it. New vehicles are expensive, so finding a good used one can save drivers a lot of money. It's tempting to look through ads, find a private seller who has what you're looking for and pay a price you think is a great deal. But when you go over to look at a used car, do you really k... More
Flat Tire? Three?s the Charm (Tire Repair)
November 10, 2024
For most drivers, at some point youre going to have a flat tire. Depending on how it was damaged, it may have to be replaced. But sometimes, a repair will do the trick, as long as the puncture isnt on the sidewall and the hole is smaller than inch/6.35mm in diameter. Here are the three common w... More
It's Brake Time (Brake Calipers)
November 3, 2024
Race car drivers have demonstrated the advantages of disc brakes, so most modern vehicles use them. Sometimes just the front wheels have disc brakes, but many vehicles now have them all the way around. A major component of the disc brake is called a caliper. It works by squeezing brake pads ag... More