An electric fuel pump commonly lasts 100,000 miles or more, and many last the life of the vehicle. Most modern pumps sit inside the fuel tank, where the fuel keeps them cool. They fail early mainly from heat, contamination and electrical problems: regularly running the tank close to empty, dirty fuel or a clogged filter, and low voltage from corroded wiring or a weak relay all shorten a pump’s life.
What shortens fuel pump life
- Running on low fuel: less fuel around the pump means more heat, and the pump can pick up sediment.
- Clogged fuel filter: makes the pump work harder.
- Contaminated or wrong fuel: debris, water or fuel the pump is not rated for.
- Electrical faults: corroded connectors, a failing relay or low voltage overheat the motor.
- Demand beyond capacity: added power can push a stock pump to its limit.
Signs a fuel pump is failing
- Hard starting, especially when hot.
- Sputtering or loss of power under load or at high speed.
- A loud whine from the tank area.
- Lean codes or low fuel pressure on a gauge.
How to make a fuel pump last
- Keep the tank above about a quarter full when you can.
- Replace the fuel filter on schedule, if your vehicle has a serviceable one.
- Fix corroded connectors and check the relay if the pump is noisy or intermittent.
- Use the fuel your vehicle and pump are designed for.
Should you replace the pump with other fuel work?
If the fuel tank is already being dropped for another repair on a high-mileage vehicle, some owners replace an original pump at the same time to save repeat labor, since in-tank pumps on many vehicles mean lowering the tank or removing a rear seat panel to reach them. Use a quality replacement and a new strainer, and clean the tank if there is sediment, because debris shortens the new pump’s life. Ethanol blends like E85 need a pump rated for them; see what E85 is.
Diesel lift pumps
Many diesels use a lift pump to feed the high-pressure injection pump. A failing lift pump starves the injection pump and can damage it, so its condition matters more than its own cost suggests; see diesel lift pumps.
Upgrading for more power
Superchargers, turbos and E85 increase fuel demand. Size the fuel system to the power you plan to make, with margin; see fuel pump sizing. We list the ECS Stage I fuel system for late 2003 to 2013 Corvettes ($1,483.90) and the ECS Stage 1 E85 fuel system ($1,832.60).
More guides: how long a supercharger lasts.
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