Fuel Pump Repair Cost: Everything You Need To Know
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Your fuel pump probably isn’t the part of your vehicle you spend the most time thinking about. Unlike your engine, which needs routine oil changes, or your transmission, which is a large expense and often prompts owners to buy a new vehicle when it needs replacement, your fuel pump is one of the many parts in your cat that usually just works.
An average fuel pump will operate for years without hiccups or problems and doesn’t need maintenance work to keep it running.
Modern electric fuel pumps are even more reliable than older versions and offer efficiency improvements that help make everything else in your car last longer as well.
But, for all its durability and efficiency advantages, even the modern fuel pump will occasionally stop working or start to break down. When that happens, replacing the pump is your only option.
Here’s what you need to know about your fuel pump and how much it will cost if you need to replace it.
How Much It Costs To Repair Your Fuel Pump
Fuel pump repairs aren’t necessarily difficult, but it’s relatively complicated to get to the fuel pump, and, like any liquid system, it’s important to make sure you don’t damage anything or cause leaks.
Because of the complexity of the job, rather than its difficulty, most people recommend getting your fuel pump replaced at a professional shop. They have the equipment and expertise to make the job a lot easier and will generally get it done a lot faster than you could if you were working at home.
The average cost to replace your fuel pump is between $500-$1,000, depending on your location, what vehicle you’re driving, and how rare the part is. In some cases, your cost may be lower than that, but it all depends on the price of the part.
Labor costs to replace your fuel pump are usually between $150-$300, which isn’t too much, all things considered. However, the pump itself can easily cost between $200-$800, and some pumps are even more expensive.
The distribution of cost is another good reason to take your car to the mechanic when you need to replace your fuel pump. At least 50% of the cost of a new fuel pump will always be the part itself, and in some cases, as much as 80% of the cost is the pump. Since labor is usually a smaller part of the cost, and most people will need 2-3 times as much time to perform the change themselves, getting a mechanic to do the work is relatively cost-effective.
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How Often Should You Replace Your Fuel Pump?
Fuel pumps are a part that often isn’t included in regular maintenance because they often outlast estimates and don’t have a predictable mileage limit.
Your fuel pump should easily keep working for 100,000 miles or more but could go out at any point after 100,000 miles.
That means that most fuel pumps don’t need to be replaced for years, and many people keep driving for a decade or more before they need to replace them.
So, while this can be a relatively expensive repair, it’s also one of the least common repairs you could need on your vehicle.
Signs Your Fuel Pump Is Going Out
Because fuel pump problems are so rare in the lifetime of a vehicle, a lot of people have a hard time telling what’s going wrong when they start having problems.
Unfortunately, fuel pump problems are usually very noticeable in your vehicle, but it can be frustrating to know that something is wrong without knowing what is wrong.
The good news is that this list will help you tell when you’re having fuel pump problems.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of a failing fuel pump.
Check Engine Light
Okay, admittedly, this isn’t really a symptom, but your check engine light will sometimes also come on if you’re having fuel pump problems.
Don’t worry; this light doesn’t mean that your fuel pump has damaged your engine; it’s simply that some vehicles also monitor fuel pump performance as part of the engine monitoring system.
Your check engine light may also be the first sign that there’s something wrong, and many vehicles will detect the problem before you have noticeable symptoms. Still, it’s better to replace your fuel pump sooner rather than waiting for more problems to start.
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Overheating
Overheating is one of the dreaded signs of a problem in your vehicle, not least because an overheated engine can easily damage itself and other important parts of your vehicle.
In some cases, overheating can even be dangerous for the driver and any passengers in the car since some system failures can cause combustion or even explosions when the engine overheats.
Those cases are rare, but this is one problem sign you should never ignore.
Unfortunately, it’s also a relatively common symptom of other problems, including low coolant levels and other maintenance issues.
One of the ways you can tell overheating is because of your fuel pump is the timing. Typically, when the fuel pump overheats, which starts a cascade reaction that overheats the engine, it takes between 15-30 minutes of normal operation.
Once your vehicle has overheated, you can also usually turn it off, let it cool down, and then start it again. It should start smoothly (unless overheating already damaged something else), and there’s no limit to the number of times this can happen if you stop the vehicle before overheating causes its own problems.
Engine Sputtering
Your engine choking, sputtering, or sounding strange while you’re driving can all be signs that your fuel pump is having problems. The only main issue with this symptom is that it can sound and feel similar to other problems with the fuel system, including fuel injectors or a leaky fuel line.
Regardless of the cause, though, this is an important symptom and a sign that it’s time to take your vehicle to the shop.
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Gas Mileage Decrease
Another common symptom is that your gas mileage will start to go down.
This happens because gas isn’t making it to your engine as efficiently, which lowers the efficiency of the engine as well as potentially wasting some fuel from bad timing.
Like engine sputtering, gas mileage decreases are a common symptom of fuel system problems, so it may take a professional to tell whether you’re fuel pump needs replacement or if something else is to blame for the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fuel Pump Repair
Q: What is the function of a fuel pump in a vehicle?
A: The fuel pump in your vehicle is crucial for its overall health. It functions by transporting fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor, according to the engine’s requirements.
Q: What are the signs that a fuel pump needs replacement?
A: If you notice that your check engine light is illuminated or there are sputtering noises coming from your engine, it is likely the pump needs to be replaced. Also, if you notice a significant change in your MPG or changes in power when your vehicle is on, such as changes in acceleration, these could be signs of an issue with your fuel pump.
Q: What can cause a fuel pump to fail?
A: Driving your vehicle frequently until it’s nearly out of fuel can lead to fuel pump failure. To avoid this, it’s recommended to maintain at least a quarter tank of gas. This prevents the fuel pump from overworking and reduces its failure risk.
Q: How much does fuel pump replacement cost?
A: The cost of a fuel pump replacement can vary based on the make and model of your vehicle. However, the average cost for replacing a fuel pump across all vehicles is approximately between $500 and $1,000, including parts and labor.
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