Forum Discussion
- jfkmkExplorer
BurbMan wrote:
jfkmk wrote:
RJsfishin wrote:
The guy that changed mine said that not changing filter often enuff will shorten a pump's life,......
I would kind of question that. The filter is downstream of the pump and wouldn't have prevented the pump from becoming clogged. Also, there are many newer vehicles that are designed with no fuel filter. My civic has no fuel filter and is on the original fuel pump at 165k.
It's not that the pump becomes clogged, the clogged filter creates too much back pressure and makes the pump work harder.
Duh! My bad, Burbman, I certainly didn't think that one through. Thanks! - BurbManExplorer II
jfkmk wrote:
RJsfishin wrote:
The guy that changed mine said that not changing filter often enuff will shorten a pump's life,......
I would kind of question that. The filter is downstream of the pump and wouldn't have prevented the pump from becoming clogged. Also, there are many newer vehicles that are designed with no fuel filter. My civic has no fuel filter and is on the original fuel pump at 165k.
It's not that the pump becomes clogged, the clogged filter creates too much back pressure and makes the pump work harder. - Yes, they do. The symptoms are this. You drive and the Vehicle is at running temp. You shut it off and try to start. It turns over but does NOT fire up. After an hour or so, you attempt to start the vehicle and it fires right up. Odds are it is a defective in tank fuel pump. Doug
- jfkmkExplorer
RJsfishin wrote:
The guy that changed mine said that not changing filter often enuff will shorten a pump's life,......
I would kind of question that. The filter is downstream of the pump and wouldn't have prevented the pump from becoming clogged. Also, there are many newer vehicles that are designed with no fuel filter. My civic has no fuel filter and is on the original fuel pump at 165k. - monkey44Nomad IIHad an '03 Sierra 4x4 went 214,000 on original pump - traded it.
Had a '99 Safari AWD that had two go after about 75,000 miles each ... 196,000 Total miles ... both pumps quit working with NO warning
Never can tell which pump will last and which won't. We generally keep our fuel tanks over quarter tank ... just as a policy.
DOn't know if that helps anyone? - RJsfishinExplorerThe guy that changed mine said that not changing filter often enuff will shorten a pump's life,.....said mine was 1/2 plugged, even tho it never missed a lick on an 8 mile 6% grade. And that was a 26 ft 454 w/ 56K miles.
- BurbManExplorer IIGM pumps usually fail right about 100k miles. A good rule of thumb as indicated is to not run the tank below 1/4, the pump uses fuel to keep it cool. Sometimes a failing pump will result in a rough idle or a stumble at idle. Not always, but sometimes. Some lucky guys like me have TWO fuel tanks and EACH one has has an in-tank pump....
If the pump on the '98 is original, I would replace it as preventative. - DirtclodsExplorerInteresting topic I've never had a fuel pump go out on any of my Fords trucks but I always change out my fuel filter. Now I'm a proud Dodge PU owner and still no issues.
- jfkmkExplorerI've had 4 fuel pumps fail (I generally keep my vehicles until the 200k mark) on vehicles ranging from Ford to GM to Chrysler. They've failed while moving, sitting at a light to simply not starting one day. None of these failures gave any warning whatsoever. I admit I've never checked the pressure at the fuel rail, so I can't comment on that, but in each case they ran perfectly up until the moment of failure.
If your vehicle has more than 100k on the od, it may be a good idea to change out the pump. You'll probably spend a little less than you would being at the mercy of whoever you get on the road, and you certainly won't be stranded.
Whatever you do, buy a good quality pump, don't skimp! The price to replace is all in the labor. I've never had the fortune of having a vehicle where I didn't have to drop the tank to replace the pump.
I've also heard that if you don't run the tank empty you'll extend the life of the pump. - path1Explorer
hershey wrote:
Heres a tried and true method (our companies own experience) to prolong in tank fuel pumps life. We had a fleet of Workhorse chassis step vans. One in particular had a terrible record of faulty fuel pumps. Always at the same location. Even started to blame the driver for working with a local garage to split the cost of a new fuel pump and replacement. Finally figured out that this driver on a weekly basis would drive his van to the point of nearly empty so he could fill up at a buddys service station. Turns out the pump wouldn't get the cooling from the fuel in the tank and break down. Started insuring that all vans filled no less than a quarter tank and fuel pump problems went away.
Good info
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