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How Long Does It Take to Replace a Fuel Pump? (Answered)

Fuel pump is one of the most important components of a vehicle. The primary job of a fuel pump is to work as a means of transferring liquid between fuel tank and fuel injector. 

Today, we are going to discuss and find out how long it takes to replace a fuel pump.

How long does it take to replace a fuel pump?

It does not take more than two hours when it comes to replacing a fuel pump if it is done by an expert. However, if an inexperienced car owner tries to replace the fuel pump himself, it can even take half a day. A faulty fuel pump should be replaced to get the best performance from the engine.

Let’s look at different types of vehicles to find out how long it takes to replace a fuel pump on those vehicles.

On a car:

The fuel pump of the car is known for staying good up to one hundred thousand miles or so. After that the performance of a car’s fuel pump starts to decrease causing all sorts of problems. When your fuel pump becomes bad, it starts making strange noises. 

You will also face difficulty while starting your engine.

When your car’s fuel pump starts showing signs of failing, you need to replace it as soon as possible. Two hours will be required to change the fuel pump of a Toyota Highlander if you take it to a mechanic. 

If you want to do it yourself, the cost will be less but the time needed might be more depending on your expertise.

It also takes approximately two hours to replace the fuel pump of a Toyota tacoma if it is done by a mechanic. 

In a truck:

It also takes approximately two hours to replace the fuel pump of a truck. The fuel pump of a truck is also designed to give service for up to one hundred thousand miles. But the fuel pump can become faulty for various reasons before that. 

Everything comes to the fact if you are getting your fuel pump changed by a mechanic or by yourself.

If you are planning to change the fuel pump of your truck yourself, it might increase the time of replacement depending on your expertise.

How long does it take to replace a high-pressure and low-pressure fuel pump?

Let’s discuss in detail to find out how much time it takes to replace various fuel pumps based on pressure.

High-pressure fuel pump:

High-pressure fuel pump is a highly efficient fuel pump that is used to supply adequate fuel to the car at all times. It is comparatively small in size and can be maintained easily. 

As the high pressure fuel pump is small in size, it is very easy to remove and replace it. But replacing a high pressure fuel pump requires a certain level of expertise. 

If you are looking to do it yourself and do not have any prior experience in this field, then it might take you all day to replace it. 

On the other hand, a mechanic can replace a high pressure fuel pump within one and a half to two hours.

Low-pressure fuel pump:

Low-pressure fuel pump is situated inside the fuel tank. Because of its location and size, it takes longer to replace a low pressure fuel pump than a high pressure one. It can take a mechanic up to two to three hours to remove and replace a low pressure fuel pump. 

You should not try to replace a low pressure fuel pump yourself if you are not experienced enough.

Is it easy to replace a fuel pump?

The task of replacing a fuel can both be easy and difficult. It might sound confusing but that is the truth. If you have prior experience of working on your car, you might find it easy to replace a fuel pump yourself. 

On the other hand, if you have never worked on your car before, replacing a fuel pump will be a difficult task for you. It is very easy for a mechanic to replace a fuel pump. But doing it yourself might be slightly difficult.

Can I replace a fuel pump myself?

You can replace a fuel pump yourself if you have prior experience of working on your car. If you do not have expertise in this field, you can still do it if you follow certain guidelines and steps. 

Safety precautions should be taken before replacing a fuel pump as you are going to work with a highly functional component. 

If you have the required tools and replacement parts at hand, you can easily do it yourself. Replacing the fuel pump yourself will also save the replacement cost by cutting down the labor cost to zero.

What tools are needed to replace a fuel pump?

Let’s discuss in detail and find out what tools you need to replace a fuel pump.

Safety tools:

Replacing a fuel pump is a dangerous job and requires safety precautions. Wearing safety goggles while working on your fuel pump is very important. 

You must also have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a fire related accident that can happen from the fuel pump replacement process.

Vehicle parking tools:

You will have to use a jack and jack stands to put your vehicle in working position. You will also need to use wheel chocks at the front wheels.

A set of wrenches:

Replacing the fuel pump will require you to remove, disconnect and loosen many parts and equipment. A set of wrenches will be quite helpful in this case. You will need to remove the old fuel pump along with its parts. You will also require them while installing the new one.

A set of pliers:

You will also need a set of pliers to remove various parts of the old fuel pump. A set of pliers come in handy as a removal tool.

Is replacing a fuel pump expensive?

The expense of replacing a fuel pump depends on a lot of things. The parts required for replacing a fuel pump can vary according to the model and build of the car. If your fuel pump parts are expensive, then replacement cost will increase. 

If you have a car that does not require a high end fuel pump to run, then replacing it will be inexpensive.

The labor cost is another key factor when it comes to replacing a fuel pump. If you are paying a mechanic to replace your fuel pump, then the replacement cost will be more. If you do it yourself, the labor cost will be saved.

How much does a fuel pump replacement cost?

A fuel pump replacement cost is influenced by many factors. The parts for a fuel pump might cost somewhere between two hundred to one thousand dollars. 

On the other hand, the labor cost required for replacing it will add another two hundred dollars to the total bill. So replacing a fuel pump can be as low as three hundred dollars and as high as fifteen hundred dollars.

How much does it cost for a mechanic to change a fuel pump?

All mechanics do not charge the same amount of labor cost for an hour. It varies from mechanic to mechanic. But the average labor cost of replacing a fuel pump is about one hundred dollars per hour

A mechanic will generally take two hours to replace your fuel pump. So it brings the total labor cost to two hundred dollars. You will have to pay a mechanic somewhere between one hundred and fifty to two dollars for changing a fuel pump.

How long does it take to replace a fuel pump relay?

The fuel pump relay is a key component when it comes to optimum performance of the fuel pump and the engine. If the fuel pump relay becomes faulty, the engine and the fuel start having coordination problems. 

The car manufacturers create fuel pump relays to stay good as long as the car does. But it can become faulty due to overworking and harmful conditions.

Replacing a fuel pump relay is an easy task if you manage to locate the fuel pump relay. It can most often be found under the hood or the dash of your car inside the fuse box. The parts needed for the replacement process will cost you around twenty to thirty dollars. 

You can replace the fuel pump relay in less than half an hour.

Final Thoughts

A fuel pump replacement is not a lengthy procedure as it requires only two hours if it is done by a mechanic. A car owner himself can also replace a fuel pump if he follows certain steps and methods. A fuel pump is known for giving service up to one hundred thousand miles without replacement.