Eating through fuel pumps
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2017
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Eating through fuel pumps A family member and I replaced my original fuel pump in October using the trap door method. We bought a cheapo for about 100 bucks. It failed by March and we put yet another one in....for about 150. Now it too is failing. My 2002 ws6 T/A runs ok going down the road but hesitates randomly on acceleration and idles like total sh*t at lights and when in park. Also jerks violently in reverse and hard take offs. I have no doubt it's the fuel pump yet again. I unfortunately had to take a job delivering pizzas because of finances and inability to find any work in my field close by with bills pulling up so I kind of have to have my car to work. The last fuel pump acted very similarly a few weeks before it bit the dust and would no longer even run. I cannot afford the $375 premium fuel pump right now so I don't know what do to. I can still drive the car at this point but I know it's on it's way out. Any suggestions? Should I Just put another cheapo and hope it lasts until I can save $400 for a good one? I have alot of bills so right now the premium $300-400 one is out of the queston. SES is randomly coming on a few days, going off then back on a day or two as well. Just like last time. This job isn't ideal but it's all I got right now so I can't have my car broke down.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Ordered online some off brand. The SES has went back off and hasn't come back on but it still idles rough in park and at stop lights in drive. Seems to idle not as rough in neutral so if I'm at a light, I just put it in neutral. It also runs better when it's running with over half a tank...half or less and the problem worsens. Fuel filter was changed with the last pump but the car sat over 5 years up until January with a bad transmission. Got it rebuilt and changed out a bunch of other components o2 sensors, new cats, MAF sensor and many other components that had worn from sitting so long. Haven't had any issues other than eating through fuel pumps. I had considered maybe there is still some trash in my tank from sitting so long but I drive it so much I don't see how any of it or the old fuel could still be in there. I top it off every day now for the past week and it seems to lessen the issue. Perhaps I can make it last a bit longer like this before having to replace it. It also runs smoother after a cold start then gradually runs rougher as the day progresses. The last fuel pump did the same thing but bit the dust at a much quicker pace. I'm saving for a new one. I just hope It lasts until I have the money. I appreciate all the responses. Hope everyone has a great day!
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
It's not trash that's the problem, but OLD FUEL. Is the strainer before the pump in good shape? The fact that it is getting better each time you top it up says there is still old crud in the tank.
If you have done the cutout in the rear then you should be able to look into the tank quite easily to determine if there is any crap in the tank. You should also get a fuel pressure gauge and watch your pressure as the car begins to act odd. I didn't see any mention of a recently replaced fuel filter. Have you changed that lately?
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If you are making less than like 350 horsepower you can use a take-out GTR fuel pump. They are about $20 on ebay. I keep one as a spare (actually I have a few of them sitting around). They are almost identical to a walbro in shape, even have the same plug connector and strainer configuration. And being OEM from a Nissan GT-R very reliable.
What kills pumps? Bad gas of course. High sulfur content I hear also does the job. Sometimes excessive high pressure can wear a pump out prematurely (I run my pump as low as 35psi of fuel pressure when cruising). Also, a low voltage causes issues with some pumps.
SO I would install a $20 pump, maybe hot-wire it (always good to install a nice thick pump wire and new relay), new strainer, dump all the old gas. And finally, check the pressure once it is running, drive it and watch the fuel pressure make sure it stays where it should. "running better" on a fuller tank often says that the fuel temp is LOWER (more gas to heat up takes longer to heat up) Which may be telling you something about the fuel system overall (how do you over-heat the fuel? Bad fuel line route, ultra-high pressure, over-worked pump, things like that)
What kills pumps? Bad gas of course. High sulfur content I hear also does the job. Sometimes excessive high pressure can wear a pump out prematurely (I run my pump as low as 35psi of fuel pressure when cruising). Also, a low voltage causes issues with some pumps.
SO I would install a $20 pump, maybe hot-wire it (always good to install a nice thick pump wire and new relay), new strainer, dump all the old gas. And finally, check the pressure once it is running, drive it and watch the fuel pressure make sure it stays where it should. "running better" on a fuller tank often says that the fuel temp is LOWER (more gas to heat up takes longer to heat up) Which may be telling you something about the fuel system overall (how do you over-heat the fuel? Bad fuel line route, ultra-high pressure, over-worked pump, things like that)
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2017
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Replaced fuel pump So I finally ended up having to replace the pump when the car would barely run. Put a Delphi in it. I'm now convinced that I have another issue related to a bad wire, connection, or ground. Problem has already returned just not as bad yet as it was. Voltage meter moves back and forth about 75% of the time and the car lights/dash lights pulse or blink. The only time the voltage drops below operating range though is occasionally when I stop at a light or stop and make a turn. It will dip down momentarily and the lights will dim but immediately come back up to normal. I'm thinking now that it could be a bad ground, dying alternator(maybe) or bad connection at the fuel pump wiring. I did not recut the wires for the new connectors as the ones we used when we first replaced the pump last year fit the new one and the one I just replaced. I don't know if a bad ground or alternator could kill a fuel pump over time but it wouldn't surprise me. If not, then it's still a problem regardless if it's causing problems for the fuel pump or not. Another issue I've been having is going through front blinker bulbs like crazy. I've replaced both blinkers twice since May. I defiantly think voltage could probably affect those and cause them to burn out prematurely. Thoughts? Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Also before I forget...the fuel filter has been replaced very recently. Haven't monitored the fuel pressure yet as I've been working alot and haven't had the time to buy what I need to test it. Never done it before so I don't have a clue about it lol
9 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Norn Iron
It's quite apparent you have major and potentially dangerous wiring issues of some sort with the car given the amount of electrical problems you're experiencing. It might be time to find a good auto electrician, before it all goes up in flames.
it might be as simple as a bad ground somewhere...or worse damaged wires somewhere shorting out
it might be as simple as a bad ground somewhere...or worse damaged wires somewhere shorting out
Auto parts stores test alternators and battery's for free. Otherwise it's very likely you have a bad ground connection. Either back side of the drivers head or the ground that goes between the block and the driver side framerail.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Could that be causing the fuel pump issues? Or is it a totally unrelated issue? There's only one place near by me that does auto electrical. And they are way overpriced. Last time I went, I spent over a G. I can't afford that right now. If it's a bad ground and or alternator, I can probably take care of it myself IF I can locate the grounds and get to them without having to jack up the car or have it on a lift. If the latter is the case, it'll have to wait as I don't have the time to jack it up and climb underneath it today. I can and have replaced many parts on this car and various other vehicles but electronics and wiring are my weak point...very little experience with wire or ground related issues. Time to learn I suppose.