fuel transfer pump
Precautions to Take While Replacing an Electric Fuel Pump
The fuel transfer pump, the heart of a vehicle's fuel delivery system, is a crucial component that enables proper functioning of a vehicle's engine. A faulty fuel pump not only starves the engine of fuel but also damages various components of the fuel delivery system. Identifying and replacing as soon as it gets damaged is thus very essential.
How to identify
Fuel pump is a crucial component that pumps fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. Unless it functions properly, the engine cannot get enough fuel for combustion. Thus, even a minor problem can result in a major issue. Here are some signs of a faulty fuel pump.
• Starting trouble - The immediate sign is starting trouble. The car will crank, but the engine will not start. Even if it starts, it will stop after some distance. It acts as if there is no fuel in the tank.
• Strange sounds - You will hear strange whining sounds from the pump when you try to start the vehicle.
• Engine stalling - You may also experience frequent engine stalling. It gets heated very fast and leads to frequent breakdowns.
• Engine misfires - Frequent engine misfires at higher speeds and sluggish performance when climbing hills are two more signs of a failing or non-functional fuel pump. Misfires may happen due to the insufficient supply of the fuel to the engine.
The same signs are associated with some other engine related problems. So it is better to cross check before getting it replaced.
Confirm failure
Low or no gas in the fuel tank may cause the same signs as there will be no enough fuel. So, check if there is enough gas in the tank and then restart your vehicle. If you still experience the above signs you may suspect it.
The other way to confirm the failure is to listen for the sound once you start your vehicle. Insert the key and turn it to second position. In this position the engine will not start. But it should produce a soft sound from the fuel cabinet. This sound is from the electric fuel pump as it gets ready to draw and pump the fuel. If you don't hear this sound, you can doubt it.
Once you are sure that your fuel pump is dead or malfunctioning, it is better to replace it immediately. But while doing-it-yourself, you need to take care of few things. Here they are:
• Do it in a well-ventilated area - Safety is very important while replacing any automobile component. Make sure that you are replacing it in an open area which is well-ventilated. Also have a fire extinguisher in reach; it will help you in case of emergency.
• Make sure the pressure is removed - To support electronic fuel injection, electric fuel pumps deliver fuel at higher pressures; the fuel is highly pressurized to produce high power. Even when the engine is turned off, there will be some pressure in the pump. You need to make sure that the pressure is removed before replacing it. You can do it by pulling off its fuse. Make sure that the engine is off when you are doing it.
Also disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid sparks while removing the entire fuel pump system from the fuel engine.
• Carefully remove and install - In general there are two fuel pumps - one on the fuel tank and other between the fuel lines which are beneath the car. So, you need to remove both of them separately. Carefully remove all the bolts before removing it. Once you remove them, disconnect the fuel lines and block them properly to avoid gas leakage. Now install the new one and connect the fuel lines again. Once the installation is done start the engine and make sure that there are no leaks.
DIY Tips to Clean Electric Fuel Pump Filter
Fuel pump filter is a small, yet one of the critical components of your car. The purpose of having a fuel pump filter in a vehicle is to stop impurities from reaching the car's engine. If the fuel pump filter is dirty and clogged, the engine will have starting problems and the engine stops intermittently while running. So, it is important to keep it clean.
Now that you know what is fuel pump filter and importance of keeping it clean, you are all set to get started on cleaning it. But wait, do you know the process and order by which the filter has to be cleaned? If the answer is no, then the following section of the article gives you the step-by-step procedure on how to clean electric fuel pump filter by yourself.
DIY tips to clean
Locate fuel pump in the fuel tank
First, you need to figure out where exactly is the fuel pump filter is located in your vehicle. Usually electric filters are either located inside or close to the tank or at the back of the car - it depends on the manufacturer and model of the car.
Disconnect battery first
This is very important, first you need to disconnect the battery before you start the cleaning procedure because as it is an electric pump, any small spark can ignite the fuel.
Block the fuel pipes to avoid fuel gushing
As you have disconnected the battery, you need to stop fuel from gushing out of the disconnected fuel pipes. For blocking the fuel pipes you can either insert an old pencil, thin cocks or rubber bungs or something that is handy and can fit your fuel pipes.
Remove and clean all filters with petrol
Make sure all filters are cleaned by washing them with fresh petrol. Always use fresh petrol when cleaning the filters. Properly clean the filters; make sure there is no dirt or other contaminants.
Clean inside of the filter with clean rag
Now that you have washed the filters with petrol, don't leave the filters drenched in petrol. Get a clean lint-free rag and wipe off the inside of the pump.
Check sealing gaskets
When cleaning the filters, check for the sealing gaskets and make sure they are in a good condition. If they are not in a good condition, replace them. Damaged gaskets would result in fuel leakage during its functioning.
Fix it back
Once you are done with the cleaning of filters, fix them back to their original position with the screws provided. Make sure you don't over tighten the screws of the cover.