In tank fuel pumps, when to replace?

[pbslinger]

My wife's 2001 Honda Accord 4 cyl has 185,000 miles on it and I was wondering if I should replace the fuel pump. I was thinking I would avoid stranding and a tow.

How long do other manufacturers fuel pumps last, and when should they be replaced as preventitive maintenence?

I hear OEM pumps are much more reliable, do any aftermarket pumps have a good record?

 

[Jack Flash]

Good question and if there is a general rule of thumb, I would like to know what it is.

I have a '95 Dodge Dakota with over 160k miles on it, and it still has the original fuel pump. I asked a mechanic if I should change it and he said he wouldn't. The cost (of having him do it) would be over $700. I suppose he is thinking that with a vehicle at that age, if you start replacing everything that might fail, you will be spending a ton of money.

 

[66TAS]

Honda fuel pumps RARELY fail. PGMfi relays do, but rarely the pump.

Because of the expense involved, one would normally only change an in tank pump when it fails.

 

[Landpimp]

dont replace, they just dont go out on Jap rigs, I have 340K on one of my Cruisers, original fuel pump(in tank), 3 others with 200K, orignal pump, what cause the most wear is running the tank low.

same with Toyota fuel filter(bet honda is the same), they just dont need to be replaced, I know it crazy but they just dont, talked to tons of old time Toy techs, they only replaced if someone has replaced it with non OEM(junk)

of my 15+ Toyota's I only had to replace one external fuel pump, the diaprham was leaking, easy to replace, its just bolted to the block

have a 64 Cruiser with the orignal FP on it, even has the manual primmer lever

 

[Broker57]

I HAD to replace the fuel pump on my 1997 GMC pick-up (although I was told that it was the original so it got close to 190,000 miles). Here in salty winters Michigan, what you generally encounter is that when you drop the gas tank the sending unit and assorted fuel lines are coroded beyond salvaging so a simple fuel pump repair becomes a laundry list of parts that need replacing. Hence the escalating repair cost. I'm lucky in that the guy who works on stuff for me is extremely reasonable and a firearm enthusiast as well. These days a couple boxes of ammo usually covers the bill!

 

[Landpimp]

most in tank FP's have a interior access point, so no need to drop the tank, just find and pop the cover off and replace......but maybe its just Toyota, but Honda should be the same, GM.....god knows

 

[Amici]

My VW Quantum (same as Audi) had an access point in the trunk. You should not have to drop the tank.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

About the only thing I would do on a Honda is the scheduled maintenence including regular changing out the timing belt. Next, Fix things as they break. Look at it this way. You have a car with no car note. If you have to pay $700 for a new fuel pump-it's two car notes and then it's paid for again until the next time you have to do something. As long as you are paying less each year in repairs than car notes-you're ahead of the game. I've changed out over the past 3 years in my suburban a radiator/hoses, alternator, a/c compressor, major brake job and belts all total to the tune of right at $2,400 total. My car note when I bought it was $670/month. I'm ahead of the game by 32 months worth of car notes. BTW I'm at 292,000 miles on it (1999 model)

 

[Ohio Outdoorsman]

When the in-tank fuel pump failed on our car several years ago. I just left it in place and picked up a 12volt fuel pump at the local parts store and mounted it on the firewall. It worked great for several more years and was still going when we sold the car. It's a lot easier and cheaper than replacing the in-tank one.