A fuel pump usually works properly for 100,000 to 150,000 miles before it requires a replacement and this depends on various factors such as vehicle type, driving conditions and maintenance habits. Although longevity of the pump may differ considerably, also it should be expected to work well for at least several years (often as many like 10) if it is being used in normal conditions. Nevertheless, this lifespan can be shortened many times when using gasoline of bad quality, keeping the fuel level low and by not maintaining properly the fuel system.
Among the things that shorten the life of a fuel pump is running your tank dry. The fuel in the tank serves to cool and lubricate the pump. The inadequate cooling the pump receives when the tank is almost empty can result in overheating, premature wear and actual pump failure. A 2020 AAA study found that frequently driving on low fuel levels could cut the life of a fuel pump by up to 15%.
The quality of the fuel is another factor. The pump can get clogged with contaminated or low-grade fuel, which will jam or damage its internals. The water, dirt and debris actively work to erode the pump during use resulting in premature failure of its components. Fuel filters usually should be changed about every 30,000 to 40,000 miles in order to keep all of those contaminants from entering the pump. According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence clogged fuel filters cause another 10% of fuel pump problems.
There are even electrical issues — like a failure with the relay or some bad wiring somewhere — that can produce similar effects, albeit over (hopefully) longer periods of time. This may cause the pump to be overburdened due to lack of consistent power and result in burn-out sooner. Regular inspection of such things will help you find these problems early on and get them fixed before they escalate and cause your pump to fail.
As said by Elon Musk a long time ago: “Even a tiny change in the force on an orbit can change the fate of an entire planet”. Fuel pumps are also in this category because taking care of fuel systems can add life to any fuel pump.
Some common symptoms of a fuel pump on its way out are hard starts, poor performance under acceleration, stalling or Hesitation,or decrease in fuel economy. Three surefire symptoms to look for are that the pump has begun losing pressuring in it delivering fuel to the injectors Generally speaking, it costs around $400-600 to replace a fuel pump depending on the make and model of your car.
To sum up, a correctly working fuel pump might be capable of running between 100,000 and 150,000 miles under the right conditions but this figure can fall under misuse — driving near empty on the tank all the time or owning several poor quality maintenance practices with your fuel system. To learn how to diagnose or replace your Fuel Pump yourself, check out www.fuel-pump.info.