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Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars #1561100
01/09/14 10:29 AM
01/09/14 10:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,526
Indianapolis
Waveraider Offline OP
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Indianapolis
The fuel pump just went out on my '09 Chevy Malibu and my neighbor said that I run the tank too low, because the gas keeps the puel pump cool. When you run the tank too low, it allows the pump to overheat, causing it to burn out quicker. Is there any truth to this?

Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: Waveraider] #1561101
01/09/14 11:27 AM
01/09/14 11:27 AM
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Andrewh Offline
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yes, there is truth to that. BUT dying after 4 or 5 years means probably a problem with that pump anyway.
but it helps to not run too low for keeping it cool and not working as hard.
the more gas you have the more pressure is on the inlet of the pump, so it doesn't work as hard getting up to pressure.

Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: Andrewh] #1561102
01/09/14 11:45 AM
01/09/14 11:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
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up yours
What really kills them is sucking air and modern gas tanks designed for in tank pumps usually have a sump built to contain fuel around the pump. If your pump lasted this long I would not worry about either issue. Things wear out.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: Supercuda] #1561103
01/09/14 12:33 PM
01/09/14 12:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Indianapolis
Waveraider Offline OP
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Happy Birthday Waveraider  Offline OP
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I really don't have anything to complain about (other than repair cost). The car has over 110K on it.

Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: Waveraider] #1561104
01/09/14 12:48 PM
01/09/14 12:48 PM
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chicagoland,usa
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buildanother Offline
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chicagoland,usa
Be glad you don't have one of the early CPI 4.3's. They were crapping quite a bit in early-mid nineties.....probably still...

Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: buildanother] #1561105
01/09/14 12:56 PM
01/09/14 12:56 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
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St. Charles, MO
wingman Offline
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St. Charles, MO
I have heard this too many times over the years, but I'm not sure if it's fact, or urban legend, or maybe only applies to certain cars/years.

I know I've run my daily driver LOW several times over the years and never had any issues.


1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 383 A4
1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440 FC7 (sold)
Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: wingman] #1561106
01/10/14 07:30 AM
01/10/14 07:30 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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Marysville, O-H-I-O
our modern vehicles, I always make it a game. how close to "0 miles remaining" can I get on the overhead trip computers with the low fuel light on, before I stop to fill up.

I've actually driven several miles on 0 before. and I can almost always put 21-22.5 gallons into the tank that's listed as a 22 gallon tank.

110K+ miles and 10 years later, still on original fuel pump



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Re: Question about electric fuel pump in newer cars [Re: Waveraider] #1561107
01/10/14 12:41 PM
01/10/14 12:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
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WI
Dcuda69 Offline
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You got 110k miles out of a GM pump...you did good! I've put more pumps in GM stuff than anything else. I still recommend you don't run around on E as the fuel does help to cool the pump. Running them low occasionally won't hurt them, doing it constantly won't help.







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