There are a few reasons why a fuel pump may fail, however wear and tear along with fuel contamination are the two leading causes. Accordingly, fuel pumps should last for 100,000 to 200,000 miles but constant exposure poor-quality-sourced gas and various debris can limit this longevity greatly. Particles in the fuel are always a problem for diesel engines and can cause problems inside your fuel system, including clogging up your filter forcing the pump to work harder to maintain pressure resulting in overheating and ultimately wearing it out.
Repetitive operation of a vehicle with an empty gas tank is another usual activity which causes the fuel pump to be overworked. The pump is cooled by the fuel in your gas tank, so if you allow things to get low too often that can make cooling deteriorate and the pump gets hot and efficiency falls way off which reduces its life. AAA, in its 2021 report says that more than a fifth of fuel system-related breakdowns involve pumps killed by repeated low-fuel driving; this and telltale noise reinforce the relevance of persistent near-empty on pump life efficiency.
So that in the gasoline tank fuel pump can damage-especially in old age of this spare part electrical problems contribute. Bad wiring or a bad relay can cut off power to the pump and cause it not to provide enough pressure for proper fuel delivery. Over time, in electric fuel pumps the performance of the pump is affected by voltage drops or burnt fuses thus causing it to malfunction and becoming erraticitive.failure
Any neglect of fuel filter replacement by poor maintenance further points the load on to the pump. It is a good idea to replace the fuel filter around 30,000 miles in order to keep your fuel supply clean and reduce load on that pump. An oil or pump filter that is too dirty will require the pump to work harder resulting in greater wear and a faster failure.
Generally, the expense to replace a pump averages from $400-$700 with expenses increasing when for example filters or wiring need likewise changing as they have been forced keeping in mind and additionally other liabilities due. Regular maintenance including replacement of filters and other fuel system components when necessary can help to prolong the life of a pump, as well as prevent expensive repairs.
Check out Fuel Pump resources to learn more about what you can do for your vehicle and how off the road maintenance, preventative care makes a difference in maintaining all aspects of our cars running smoothly — not just fuel components.