When the pump "went" how did it "go"?

[Gunter]

Wondering lately what life-span these fuel pumps have. ('80 SC)
How many Miles?
And how do the fail?
All of a sudden?
Or slowly?
Making noises?
Whining?
Rattling?

Thx.

[2.7RACER]

Hi Gunter,
I recenty replaced the fuel pump in my '85 911. No odd noises or issues. I felt 20 years service from this vital part was sufficient.
As I live in this huge sparsely populated state of New Mexico, I did not wish to find myself on the side of the road with the nearest Porsche related service over 100 miles away.
As part of my preventive maintenance this spring, I also replaced both fly wheel sensors and the DME relay.
All this plus the normal plugs and wires.
I still need to replace the (CHT) Cylinder Head Temperature sensor.

My view is key twenty year old parts deserve replacement.

To answer your question, I have heard from this site, fuel pumps get noisey, sometimes blow fuses, pull more current as they age. Some just silently stop working.
Personally I have no first hand knowledge with fuel pump failures.
If you are concerned, I would check the current draw and perhaps jack up the car and feel the pump for temperature and vibration.

[imcarthur]

My pump went suddenly. It shut off like a switch as I was accelerating down a ramp onto a highway. No warning, no noise. I had to flatbed the car home. The car had 65K at the time.

Ian

[Bill in OKC]

My 23 year old (assuming it was the original) fuel pump just started leaking fuel around the crimped metal end of the pump. It still worked fine but my garage started smelling like gas. I had recently filled up so it was a bit of an emergency to get it fixed. O'reilly's had one in stock on a Saturday afternoon. It was an identical light blue Bosch but it was in a box that had NASCAR logos all over it. It was a nasty mess replacing it because of the fumes and dripping gas. Once again - thanks 101 projects!

[Staylo]

Mine went suddenly...at a gas station.....after taking on a full tank...on a sunday
No warnings.

[Wavey]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

My pump went suddenly. It shut off like a switch as I was accelerating down a ramp onto a highway. No warning, no noise. I had to flatbed the car home. The car had 65K at the time.

Ian

Same here - just suddenly quit at 79K, in a very bad part of town BTW. Got solicited by a ho while waiting for a tow, which I figured was better than being robbed & shot.

[beasty]

i believe mine is starting to go out, an 84 911 with 135kmiles. im going to check the DME relay as well, being that it is a Targa, a couple shops have told me that in the 24 years of life, it has probably had its fair share of moisture.

[Superman]

They make noise when they're getting tired. Sort of a groaning noise. When they go out, they simply quit. Running the car out of fuel is probably the thing that does the damage. These things are gasoline-cooled and when they are operated without being filled with fuel, they are damaged.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Gunter

Wondering lately what life-span these fuel pumps have. ('80 SC)
How many Miles?
And how do the fail?
All of a sudden?
Or slowly?
Making noises?
Whining?
Rattling?

Thx.

Gunter,

My guess would be any one or a combination of your above descriptions. FP is like the 'heart' of the car and once it fails, the motor is disabled from running. This is similar to the other electrical motor devices like alternator, starter, wiper motor, etc. in our car that stops operating suddenly or gradually deteriorates. I consider an electric pump as a consumable component or part that lasts longer than others (with some luck).

If you want to know the life expentancy of your FP, start monitoring the current draw (amperage) and the delivery pressure. Most electric FP's fail due to electrical problem/s in the armature. And this sudden-death effect could come at any unforeseen time. As you've seen from the different replies the failures differ so much. As a precaution I keep spare pumps:


Tony

[burgermeister]

Replaced mine at 145K while I had the tank out for a front pan replacement and the rack out for a rack replacement. Looked to be original. No odd noises or issues.

I figured it was cheap insurance. Using the "Wayne's Book's time estimate * 3.2" time (my usual performance) as a guideline, it seemed better to do while the area is clear of interfering parts and I had a chance of getting it done in an hour or so.

[rusnak]

I agree with Mr. Kent, you have to keep at least a 1/4 tank full in the 911SC or you can develop fuel pump problems.

[Gunter]

Very good replies, many thanks.
Sudden failure seems to win out.
My pump is doing fine so far with just a light whining sound which I consider normal.

As for spares, yes, absolutely.
Been carrying spares for years: New fuel pump, distributor, 6-pin CDI module and a bunch more.

Should the pump fail on me, the plan is to have the car flat-bedded to the nearest shop and make a deal so that I pay for the time on the hoist but I do the work installing the new pump.

[paulgtr]

mine just quit the other night while driving homr from work. no warning no weird sounds.
it could be the original from 1975 and 200,00+ miles so I can't complain.
I have a 1975 911s, any one have a link to the replacement tips for mine?

[cab83_750]

+1 here on 'no noise, sudden failure'

[ramonesfreak]

i now have severe fuel pump sudden death paranoia.

[paulgtr]

lol
buy a spare!