Tips on Fixing a Bad Fuel Pump

So there is a problem with your cars fuel pump, and you do not want to go to an expensive mechanic to have it fixed. Well, there are a few things the average person can do at home to fix the problem without breaking the bank.

The first thing you will want to do is buy a repair manual for your specific vehicle. Not all cars are the same and the repair manual, will help you at least find what you are looking for. Also it will help you with other repairs and basic maintenance for your vehicle. Now what you want to do is find your fuel pump. If your vehicle is from the seventies or older, chances are that the fuel pump is mechanical. If your car is newer you probably have an electric fuel pump.

If you have an electric fuel pump, check to see if the wires are connected well. If the connections are loose, or corroded that could be your problem. If they are corroded, take them apart, and clean them by scraping the corrosion off with sand paper. Then put them back together in the right place, remember to only do one wire at a time so that you will remember where that wire goes.

If the connections are loose you will have to tighten them. this can be done by pinching the female connector so that it is closer to being shut. Then reattach the two so that they fit snugly.

If the electricity is not the problem, or your fuel pump is mechanical there might be something blocking the flow of fuel. If that is the case you will need to remove the fuel pump and check it. The first thing you want to do is take off the fuel line that is going to it. Make sure you have a pencil with a broken tip handy to plug up the fuel line so that gasoline does not flow everywhere. If there is no gasoline flowing from the fuel line you either have something blocking the fuel line. That probably means that there is nothing wrong with your fuel pump, and that you may need to just replace the fuel line

If the fuel pump appears to be clogged, take it out and let it soak in a cup of kerosene for a night. If it Is an electric fuel pump, try your best not to get the electronic parts wet as you clean the inner workings. Then take it out, clean it as best you can with the kerosene, and let it dry. Make sure all of the kerosene is out of it before you put it back into your car. That should have cured the blockage. If the kerosene does not work, you will probably need a new fuel pump.