Fuel pump replacement after-effects

[Yousuf Khan]

My old 0BW is starting to get expensive in its old age. In the last
three weeks it's had three separate major part replacements. First week,
I had a $1300 dinger for a new throttle body and sensor. Second week, my
battery conked out, but fortunately I went aftermarket for the
replacement and got it done for around $100. And now this week, all of a
sudden the fuel pump conks out, and now I got dinged for $800! Yeesh!

Anyways, I'm venting, nevermind. There is one effect that I'm seeing
after the fuel pump replacement. I'm finding that the car no longer
starts reliably. Later in the same day I got it fixed, I found out twice
where it no longer was getting fuel again. What would typically happen
is that I'll start it up, it'll work for a few seconds and then just
die. Then I'd try to restart it several times (maybe 5, 6, or 10 times)
and it will not ignite, and then randomly it will all of sudden work
again. Thank god for the brand new battery, it's trooping along
activating the starter for as many times I'm retrying. Now is this to be
expected from a new fuel pump? I mean will there be some air or moisture
in the lines after the pump replacement, and it just needs to work its
way out of the system? Also I noticed these problems occurred during a
major rain downpour, so I'm wondering if that was a coincidence or not.
It's been acting okay today, but its hot and sunny today. I got the pump
replaced on Friday, and the dealer's service centre is unfortunately
closed on the weekend, so I can't talk to them till Monday.

Yousuf Khan

 

[johninKY]

The pump supplies more fuel then the engine can use and the excess i
returned to the tank so there is no possibility there can be air in th
system. What about the fuel filter? Was it replaced along with the ne
pump? Thinking the new fuel pump replacement and your current proble
have nothing in common. Remember the engine also needs spark to run. Yo
need to determine if the no-run problem is because of no fuel or no spark.
Also the fuel pump has a relay in the circuit. There is a chance the pum
that was replaced was still good and the original problem was a bad fue
pomp relay

 

[AS]

I second the fuel pump relay theory.

By the way, why did your change the throttle body? and the sensor?

Good luck!

 

[YKhan]

I second the fuel pump relay theory.

By the way, why did your change the throttle body? and the sensor?

Oh well, that's a long story, you can read about it here:

http://tinyurl.com/6yd6hv

Yousuf Khan

 

[YKhan]

The pump supplies more fuel then the engine can use and the excess is
returned to the tank so there is no possibility there can be air in the
system. What about the fuel filter? Was it replaced along with the new
pump? Thinking the new fuel pump replacement and your current problem
have nothing in common. Remember the engine also needs spark to run. You
need to determine if the no-run problem is because of no fuel or no spark.
Also the fuel pump has a relay in the circuit. There is a chance the pump
that was replaced was still good and the original problem was a bad fuel
pomp relay.

I would assume that the fuel filter was replaced. I didn't really ask
too many questions at the dealership this time around, I was just glad
to have the car back. I'll ask about the fuel pump relay too. I will
be going to the dealership as soon as it opens tomorrow, so I'll get a
chance to ask these questions.

I've not seen this dealership screw up with their work too much
before. But there's always a first time. Thanks.

Yousuf Khan

 

[AS]

Wow, never heard of a throttle body binding with age. Do you have the
chance of going to a different dealer?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Wow, never heard of a throttle body binding with age. Do you have the
chance of going to a different dealer?

Hi,

I've seen a few throttle bodies get pretty "goo'd up" if they weren't
given a shot of spray cleaner every so often. Wonder if that's what
happened to his, and continued use led to excessive wear? Just reaching
here...

Rick

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hi,

I've seen a few throttle bodies get pretty "goo'd up" if they weren't
given a shot of spray cleaner every so often. Wonder if that's what
happened to his, and continued use led to excessive wear? Just reaching
here...

Rick

Dunno if his car is so equipped, but, I've also heard of the IACV being
damaged by the use of the improper solvent to clean the TB.

????


Carl

 

[YKhan]

Wow, never heard of a throttle body binding with age. Do you have the
chance of going to a different dealer?

It was already too late, and if I had gone to another dealer for a
second opinion, I would've been dinged for more diagnostic fees.

Anyways, back to the current problem. According to them, the new fuel
pump they installed was defective. They said that when they measured
the fuel pressure, they expected to see 50 psi. They said they were
seeing 38 psi at most, and sometimes they were seeing *zero* psi. So
they replaced the unit again, and this time they gave me a loaner car
(basic '08 Impreza), and have decided to evaluate it for several days
to make sure it's truly working. They've now had it for 3 days since
putting the second fuel pump in.

However, while they were testing the fuel pump they said they
discovered that the front O2 sensor was not working properly, so I'm
getting ready for yet another dinging to my credit card.

Yousuf Khan