The Average Fuel Pump Replacement Cost Is Between $806 and $967 Depending on If You Go to the Mechanic or DIY
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Cost at the Mechanic: $806 to $967
Parts: $641 to $759
Labor: $165 to $208
If you take your vehicle to the mechanic to have its fuel pump replaced, you can expect the task to take around two hours. There is not a recommended interval between fuel pump replacements, but the older your vehicle is, the more often you’ll likely have to have it replaced. Certain bad habits, such as consistently running your vehicle with an empty tank, will shorten the life span of your fuel pump.
It’s also important to note that your fuel pump replacement cost largely depends on your vehicle’s make and model. This affects both the price of parts and labor.
Cost to DIY: $641 to $759
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Parts Needed:
As always, you can save a decent amount of money by performing this task yourself. However, if you don’t already own the tools, you may spend more preparing the parts for this job than the cost of labor at a mechanic’s shop. It’s also important to know if you’re comfortable working on your car to this level. Improperly installing a gas pump can damage your vehicle.
If you decide to take on your own fuel pump replacement, be sure to keep your owner’s manual and repair guide handy. Not every make and model uses the same fuel pump and setup, so it’s important to know what you’re dealing with before you start taking your vehicle apart.
What Is a Fuel Pump?
A fuel pump is how gasoline or diesel makes its way from a vehicle’s fuel tank to the engine’s combustion chamber. It’s designed to deliver an appropriate amount of fuel to the engine fuel injectors, maintaining the right amount of pressure to keep fuel flowing at a certain rate.
Modern vehicles use electric motors to power fuel pumps, which can be placed inside or outside of the fuel tank. Most modern electric fuel pumps are placed inside of the gas tank. The fuel pump draws fuel from the tank and sends it through a filter and through a line that leads to the fuel injectors. Without an operational fuel pump, your engine won’t be able to combust and will not be able to start.
What Does a Fuel Pump Replacement Include?
Your gas tank may need to be drained for this task. During a fuel pump replacement, you may also have your fuel filter changed, as well as the external in-line filter if your vehicle has one. If you’re considering hiring a professional, we recommend reading our guide on how much it can cost to replace your car’s engine air filter. You will have to fill up your gas tank again to operate your vehicle. Expect this job to take around two hours at a mechanic’s shop or more than four hours if you’re a beginner taking on the job yourself.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace Your Fuel Pump?
If you don’t replace your fuel pump when it starts to go bad, you’ll eventually have a vehicle that doesn’t run. Your vehicle’s engine won’t get the fuel it needs to combust and turn its pistons. If you have a bad fuel pump and your vehicle is running, your vehicle might begin to stall, lose power, or overheat.
If you use the FIXD Sensor, you may receive alerts indicating that your system is receiving too much fuel, too much air, or not enough of either. If you want to try to fix your check engine light without spending money on parts, follow the steps in our guide for code P0174 or P0171 for proper diagnosis.
How Often to Replace Your Fuel Pump
Fuel pumps don’t have recommended intervals in which you need to change them. You should replace your fuel pump as needed like when it’s starting to show signs it’s not doing its job anymore.
Your fuel pump can need replacing for several reasons. Most commonly, it’s because it’s old. Through wear and tear, and possible contamination, fuel pumps can start to show signs of aging after 100,000 miles or eight years. However, they can begin to fail sooner, depending on your driving habits and climate.
As we mentioned above, consistently driving with little gas in your tank can cause your fuel pump to overheat and damage itself. Try to not let your tank’s levels drop below 25% full.
As always, refer to your owners manual to see if it gives you any recommendations on when to replace your particular make and model’s fuel pump.
Common Symptoms You Need to Replace Your Fuel Pump
Learn about the main symptoms of a failing fuel pump by reading this article.
Some common symptoms of a bad fuel pump that you should be on the lookout for include:
- Your vehicle can’t maintain speed or accelerate smoothly even when you have gas in the tank
- Your engine is choking
- You can hear a sharp whine coming from your gas tank
- Your engine is overheating
- Your vehicle is making unusual sounds such as backfiring and sputtering
- Your “Check Engine” light on your instrument cluster is turned on
- Your vehicle is leaking gasoline
Many of these problems can be caused by a clogged fuel filter as well, so have it checked before you go all-in on changing your fuel pump. Learn everything you need to know about replacing your fuel filter by reading this guide.
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with fuel pump replacements:
- Fuel filter replacement
- Tank draining and flush to remove fuel sediment
- Fuel tank strap and fastener replacement if needed
- Replacement of in-line external filter if your vehicle has one
Never Miss Important Maintenance Again with FIXD
Get the FIXD Sensor and free app today for a custom maintenance schedule based on your make, model, and mileage. FIXD sends automated maintenance alerts right to your phone so you never forget oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad replacements, and more. It even tracks tire, wiper, and battery life to keep your car running smoothly. Get FIXD today and take the stress out of car care. It’s that simple.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
