100,000 miles

1. Step 1 – Empty fuel tank. The fuel pump is located on top of the fuel tank.
2. Step 2 – Raise the car. Raise the car and secure it with jack stands.
3. Step 3 – Remove hoses connected to tank.
4. Step 4 – Drop the fuel tank.
5. Step 5 – Replace fuel pump.
6. Step 6 – Install tank back in place.

Fuel pumps are not part of a regular maintenance schedule and only need to be replaced when they fail. Most fuel pumps should last well past 100,000 miles.

Willoughby Hills Auto Repair lists eight signs you might need a pump replacement.

1. Fuel Tank Noise. A damaged fuel pump might make a loud, whining sound that you’ll hear from your gas tank.
2. Difficult Starts.
3. Sputtering Engine.
4. The Actual Stall.
5. Power Loss.
6. Surging Power.
7. Lower Fuel Efficiency.
8. Dead Engine.

Fuel pump failures often occur without warning. Fuel pump failures can be caused by electrical faults, old age (wear) or fuel contaminants (dirt, moisture or bad gas). A good pump also can’t deliver normal fuel pressure if pressure regulator has failed, the fuel filter is clogged or the fuel line has a restriction.

Three Causes of Fuel Pump Failure

1. Fuel contamination: Fuel is jeopardized from corrosion, debris and moisture, which can all bring visible contaminants into the tank.
2. Clogged strainers/filters: The aforementioned contaminants eventually clog critical components including strainers, filters and the fuel pump itself.

The top reasons for fuel pump failure are contamination, overheating, and the gears in the the fuel pump wearing out over time. Rust, debris, and dirt are three common particles that can somehow enter the gas tank and be fed towards or through the intank fuel filter and possibly into the fuel pump.