87 civic fuel pump question

I think my 87 civic wagon 1.5l mechanical fuel pump is trying to die. Is it possible for a mechanical pump to intermittently have a problem? If so, how?

Usually when a fuel pump starts to die you can tell right away. Usually the symptoms of a bad fuel pump are a combination of: 1) hard to start/restart, 2) extremely poor idle, 3) engine continually dies, 4) engine dies when you stomp on the gas. But sure, it's possible for it to intermittently have a problem. It all depends on what's wrong with it.

As I recall, you have already checked the fuel pressure and it was OK, so before you go and spend $50-$70 bucks for a new fuel pump, you might try to find one at a junk yard for $5 and see if it changes anything.

I'm not 100% convinced that your fuel pump is at fault (maybe 85% convinced). Have you checked the coil?

Also, I know you checked the plug wires, but I once had an old car that had a bad connection at the coil and it idled horribly, would randomly die and would be difficult to restart. The first time it happened, I thought I had run out of gas since it just sputtered to a stop (it didn't have a working fuel gauge).

If it is the fuel pump, the symptoms will gradually get worse until you can't start the car at all.

Thks lxndr,
This AM after warming up the car I took it for a ride around the block to try and cause failure. It did. Engine just quit. It did start again after repeated peddle pumping. When this has occured in the near past, all of the symptons you mention did occur. Sometime after stopped and parked - couldn't get it started whitout pumping. Sometimes after starting it had poor idle for a period of minutes. And, sometimes while driving the car would just die. I bit the bullet and replaced the fuel pump this PM. Been driving it around for the past hour without a problem. Looks like a fuel pump intermittent problem. I'm not sure how long it will take me to trust the "fix" however. Thanks again for you input.

That's good to hear!

If the car doesn't die after driving it around town for a day, then the problem should be solved.

Hopefully, now that your car is fixed you won't become a stranger to the forums!

I won't. I'm starting the process of "rebuilding" this car and will be looking for some good advice. Also, since I know "a little" I'll help whenever I can.