Fuel Pump

How do one know when they need a fuel pump ?

The pump is usually at fault when you can't hear the pump run when the key is turned but you do not start the car. This is after you checked the fuses, wires, relay and cutoff switch.

So if you still can hear the sound of the fuel pump, the pump is working properly ?

So if you still can hear the sound of the fuel pump, the pump is working properly ?

Working yes. Properly? Not neccessarily. What problem are you having?

Losing gas, when i'm on the hill the gas gauge goes down then when the car is level the gauge goes back to normal

Losing gas, when i'm on the hill the gas gauge goes down then when the car is level the gauge goes back to normal

I would check the fuel filter, battery, alternator and their connections first. If that checks out then I would check the plugs and wires. I would also get a fuel pressure guage and hook it up to the fuel rail to see if your getting the proper pressure to the injectors.

I had the fuel filter, water pump and a new battery put in. I was thinking about the plugs and wires also. Any suggestion on the type of plugs and wires besides ac delco ?

I had the fuel filter, water pump and a new battery put in. I was thinking about the plugs and wires also. Any suggestion on the type of plugs and wires besides ac delco ?

I stick with the AC Delco plugs that came with the car. That way your getting the correct heat range for your car. I hear Bosch platinum +4's are good but they are expensive, probably not much more than AC Delco platinums. You would have to check. I would check your fuel pressure as well. Pressure guages are readily available for rent from Autozone or Part Plus.

How many miles are on your car? What year is it? It could be very plausible that the pump is going. The only way to check is with a fuel pressure gauge. Checking the pressure is much easier than changing out all the things your doing.

I have a 98 malibu ls with 154114 miles. Oh i forgot to add the fuel pressure regulator. I had that changed also. The person that changed it said that the old one was good but being that i had already brought it i changed it anyway. For some reason i think i need to change the plugs and the wires, that's what i'm leaning towards.

I have a 98 malibu ls with 154114 miles. Oh i forgot to add the fuel pressure regulator. I had that changed also. The person that changed it said that the old one was good but being that i had already brought it i changed it anyway. For some reason i think i need to change the plugs and the wires, that's what i'm leaning towards.

Here is a short list of things I would have done for a car your age.

1) Inspect and change serpentine belt (if not done in last 70,000 miles)
2) Check air filter and clean throttle body
3) Change coolant and replace thermostat if engine temp is not 195 deg F
4) Check TPS sensor and replace if needed.
5) Check and replace worn exhaust oxygen sensors
6) Check and replace any worn exhaust and/or catalytic converter parts
7) Check brake components for binding or worn - replace parts as required
8) Check for leaks of anything from under the car. If you see red transmission fluid then the transmission needs to be serviced ASAP
9) Check fuel pressure at the fuel rail with car running. Proper PSI is important for normal engine performance.
10) Check the charging and starting system (alternator/starter/battery function) A multimeter put on the battery posts should read at least 13 volts DC when car is on and lights are full bright. a reading of around 14 volts DC is best.
11) Inspect ignition coil pack/wires and plugs. Replace as needed

A final word. A problem in any of these areas could cause a drastic drop in performance. Step 10 is most critical for proper operation of both the fuel and ignition system. Deal with it first.
Most importantly If you have a check engine light on then deal with that second because it could point to the problem of lost power.

Thank You Ralph.

Losing gas, when i'm on the hill the gas gauge goes down then when the car is level the gauge goes back to normal

Now wait....when u go up and incline the gauge reads less, then on flat ground it reads normal?? umm......going uphill, gas is a liquid and it does flow to the back of the tank, away from your sending unit, then flows back to show your gauge reading normal. It's normal, your sending unit just reacts faster then what your use to.

I didn't know that cars did that, when i'm in one of my friends car the fuel gauge don't do that.

Well I noticed that the fuel pump relay may cause you to think that the fuel pump may be bad, if it is going out. It will periodically fail and cause a major hesitation.

it says in the owners manual that the gage may vary going over hills. Do you notice it more when there is less gas in the tank?

If the tank is full or half full it still does it, maybe about 2 lines then when i'm on level ground it's back to normal.

I'll bet you my 99 malibu the gage goes up when the car's pointed downhill. It's just the nature of the beast. It's hard to be precise when you're measuring the level of a liquid in a moving vehicle. The only time you really get a good reading (assuming F is full and E is in fact empty) is when you're level and your acceleration in any direction is 0.

I had a 87 camaro and the fuel gauge moved around alot while going uphills and down hills. My 98 bu does the same thing, now quite as fast but it does. My g\f's drive way is at a 15 deg incline and it shows i have atleast an 1\8 if not more less till i get on level ground. I just figure the resistance in the fuel gauge is less causing it to move around more then other cars.

O.k. nicc, speaking about speed. What can i do to add some horses to my bu without spending to much money.