How to Clean a Fuel Pump

Source: wikiHow

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff |17 References

In this Article:Spotting the Signs of a Clogged Fuel PumpUsing a Fuel System CleanerCleaning Mechanical Fuel Pump FiltersCommunity Q&A17 References

Most modern vehicles use sealed, filter-less pumps with screens at the pickup and a filter along the fuel line.

These pumps are designed not to need maintenance and will need to be replaced if they fail. If your vehicle has an electric fuel pump, you can use a fuel system cleaner to clear any sediment buildup or blockage. If you have a manual one (usually found in older model vehicles), you can actually open the pump to clear debris out of its internal filter, though that isn’t an option in most modern vehicles.

1. 1 Watch out for engine “sputtering” or stalling. The most common symptom of a clogged fuel pump is an intermittent power loss caused by the pump failing to push enough fuel to the injectors to keep the engine running properly. If your engine sputters or even stalls when you take your foot off of the gas, there may be an issue with your fuel pump or filter.^[1]
   • If the engine stalls, but then will run again after a few minutes, it’s likely because of sediment building up in the fuel filter or pump. As the sediment settles, the blockage clears and that fuel will begin to flow until it builds up again.
2. 2 Listen for a clicking or whining from the pump when the car idles. A clog in the fuel pump will force it to work harder to push the fuel, which can make it burn out. If you hear a clicking or whining noise from the area around the gas tank (rear of the car), chances are it’s the electric motor in the fuel pump beginning to fail.
   ^[2]
   • Cleaning the pump and replacing the filter may solve this problem if you catch it early, but if you allow it to continue for too long, it will burn out the fuel pump and it will stop functioning.
   • It’s not uncommon for the pump to click once when you turn the key, but it should not keep clicking after that.
3. 3 Look for a drop in RPMs as you drive. If you’re traveling down the road at a consistent speed and the vehicle abruptly slows down or the RPMs drop significantly on your tachometer (when equipped), it may be a sign that the fuel pump is struggling to deliver enough fuel to the engine. RPMs are the number of revolutions your engine makes per minute, so a drop in RPMs represents a drop in how quickly your engine is spinning and the power it can produce.^[3]
   • Look for warning lights on your dashboard that may indicate other potential issues to explain the power loss. A battery light, for instance, might suggest an electrical issue, or a flashing check engine light indicates that the engine is misfiring.
   • In the absence of those indicators, sudden (temporary) power loss is a good sign that there’s a problem with your fuel pump.
4. 4 Consider if you often run the vehicle with low fuel. Gasoline tends to be awfully dirty and that sediment collects in your fuel tank. With a full tank of gas, the dirt in your tank is dispersed through a greater volume of fluid, but when there isn’t much fuel in the tank, the sediment makes up a larger portion of the fuel. Imagine a fish tank: when full, the gravel at the bottom is just a small part of what’s inside, but when the tank is almost empty, the gravel and little water that’s left occupy the same space.^[4]
   • If you regularly drive with low fuel, there’s a higher likelihood that your fuel pump and filters are getting clogged.
   • Use this determination along with the other symptoms listed above to determine if there’s an issue with your fuel pump.

1. 1 Read the instructions on the bottle. While most fuel system cleaners work in roughly the same ways, there are differences from brand to brand. Read the instructions on the fuel system cleaner you purchase thoroughly to ensure you follow the right steps.^[5]
   • You can purchase fuel system cleaner at many large retail stores as well as all auto parts stores.
2. 2 Run the engine until you’re nearly out of fuel. Most fuel system cleaners are meant to be poured into an empty fuel tank so it can mix with the fuel you add to it after. Run your engine until the fuel gauge reads as empty or “E.”^[7]
   • The tank doesn’t need to be completely empty and free of fuel. It…

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