The process of installing a fuel pump is composed of very sensitive and potentially hazardous steps, as it deals with the dangerous substance called fuel. Open the hood; before disassembly begins, almost always step one in replacing a Fuel Pump is to lower fuel system pressure so that gasoline does not come spraying everywhere. Here are two or three options you can use: Most of the time this is done by pulling out a fuse for the fuel pump and running your engine until it stalls, which guarantees that there will be no pressure left in any line on your system.
After pressure is dissipated, the car sits nicely high on jack stands and you can then access to the fuel tank which often contains this pump. This install requires the fuel tank to be dropped, often in full and sometimes partially. This typically means removing the tank from its chassis so that fuel lines, electrical connections and sometimes a few bolts can be undone. Example: a typical 15-gallon fuel tank (like the one you might find in a standard midsize sedan) translates to about 100 pounds when full. Many mechanics recommend running the tank low on gas before starting installation for weight reduction.
With the pump accessible, the old unit is removed and a reference measurement taken for proper orientation. Modernity has given rise to pump and sender ideas -- this entails that different systems like fuel level sensors, pressure regulators, filter screens are replaced along with the new pumps just so you have a complete system in place. Replacement pumps are usually pre-calibrated to OEM specifications and configured for the vehicle model flow rate. Whereas a standard fuel pump is typically calibrated around 90-100 liters per hour, one designed for an engine in a high-performance vehicle may flow at 255 lph to meet the requirements of such an application.
The cost to replace a fuel pump can vary quite unexpectedly, ranging from $200 (if you are changing the fuel filter by yourself) up to several thousand dollars depending on how much work has been done and other parts which may need replacement as well. To go safe in this regard, experts believe using parts straight from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will maintain efficiency and compatibility with gearings as non-OEM items can sometimes become misaligned or wear down prematurely. This underscores the importance of quality in fuel system components: An Auto Repair Study published by Consumer Reports shows that installing genuine parts (OEM) can reduce early failure rates up to 20%.
Fuel pump installations have a lot in common with the principle that Henry Ford famously embraced so many years ago — “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking. Correct installation is essential because this can ultimately increase the pump life of between 100,000 and 150,000 miles as well as averting fuel pressure drops/leaks/inconsistent engine operation. An appropriately installed Fuel Pump ensures that enough gasoline is always on-hand to the engine in all conditions of motoring, ensuring both retention and power.