Fuel Pump Current Draw Test - Is Mine Toast?

Chris Bunker · 05-18-2005, 07:07 PM

Hello-
So I noticed my fuel pump seems louder than I remembered it being when I last had my car on the road (2 years ago). So I did some searching, and found the referance to the test where if the pump is drawing more than 8.0 amps its time for a new one. Well I tested mine tonight and its pulling 11.5 amps! Am I going to burn something up running it like that? I looked in the tank a few months ago to see if there was any corrosion, and it looked quite good. I just popped the sending unit off the top and peered inside with a light. Could my in-tank filter be clogged and that be the cause of the high current?
I'll be ordering a new pump just the same, but I am worried about running it in the mean time.

Thanks,

David · David's Garage

Sounds too high. What is it supposed to be? 4 amps maybe?

RoninLB · 05-19-2005, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Bunker
.
Could my in-tank filter be clogged and that be the cause of the high current?

I doubt it unless the lack of fuel cooling caused heat that sagged the windings. If that happened I figure you'd also have an engine operation prob. It's probably worn bearings loading the motor.

The tank filter does deteriorate over time. Hard to predict the future of that screen if over 100k mi. I changed mine just in case.

304065 · 05-19-2005, 05:25 AM

It's not going to pull 11.5 amps for long. 5.0 would be more like it.

The reason it's pulling that much juice is because the bearing is seizing up, it's going to fail soon. Change it out before it strands you.

Chris Bunker · 05-19-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

The reason it's pulling that much juice is because the bearing is seizing up, it's going to fail soon. Change it out before it strands you.

Yeah, thats what I was afraid of. I'm hoping I can find one local to save on (eliminate) shipping time.

Thanks

RoninLB · 05-19-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Bunker

I'm hoping I can find one local to save on (eliminate) shipping time.

you should install 3 new washer seals at the pump to fuel hose adaptor.

Chris Bunker · 05-20-2005, 04:43 AM

Yeah, about those washer seals, I was looking at my Stoddard catalog last night at it was very unclear about what size is the proper one for my car (78). The picture shows three washer seals and they all have the same item number, but in the parts list, there are about 6 or 7 different part numbers all of different sizes. Which is the right one for me? Anybody?

Thanks,

RoninLB · 05-20-2005, 05:13 AM

I think your model year is the same as mine?

If so then you need one large washer between the pump and hose adaptor 12x15.5mm, Pelican # N-013-812-2

2 smaller ones on either side of the fuel hose banjo 10x13.5mm, Pelican part # C-608-902-01

I'd get 2 sets.

Chris Bunker · 05-20-2005, 06:42 AM

Cool man, thanks

Chris Bunker · 05-23-2005, 09:26 AM

Well, I was in a rush this weekend to put the new pump in, and of course no one in town had anything close to being the right replacement for the seal washers, and ordering online was out of the question.

I remembered an old trick I learned for reusing copper brake banjo fitting washers. If you reheat them to red hot and then let cool, you will anneal them and they will be soft again. I also rubbed them around with some oil on a knife sharpening stone to deburr and smooth out the sealing surfaces. Worked like a charm. Drip free seals in a pinch!