2 Reasons You Should Never Replace Your Car's Electronic Fuel Pump Yourself

If your car has been losing power then lurching forward while driving it, you may have suspected that there is a problem with the electronic fuel pump. After the car finally sputtered and died from lack of fuel, your suspicions were confirmed.

After ordering a new fuel pump to fit your vehicle, you may be thinking about replacing the part yourself. However, there are a couple of reasons why you should never attempt to replace a fuel pump yourself, and instead, have a professional mechanic do the job for you.

1. Reaching the Fuel Pump Is Often Difficult or Impossible Without the Right Tools  

One reason why you should leave the replacement of your car's fuel pump to a professional is the location of the bad part. Unlike older cars, an electronic fuel pump is located inside the gas tank most of the time.

If the fuel pump is inside of the gas tank, you will not be able to simply pull out the bad one and install the new one. The gas tank has to be loosened, dropped, and drained of gas before you can even think about replacing the pump, which requires the special tools and extensive knowledge of a professional to do the job correctly and without causing damage. 

2. Igniting the Fuel During the Removal or Installation Is a Strong Possibility Without Experience

Another problem with trying to install your car's fuel pump yourself is that the pump, lines, and tank will contain gas. Because it is impossible to remove all of the fuel residue while working on these parts, there is an increased risk of fire and/or explosion.

Even a small spark caused by the rubbing together of two metal pieces could cause ignition of the fuel. A professional automotive repair technician has the experience necessary to keep these sparks from happening while removing and installing the new fuel pump.

When it comes time to replace the fuel pump, you should rely on an experienced automotive technician to do the job instead of doing it yourself. An electric fuel pump is located either on top of or inside the gas tank, increasing the risk of having the fuel ignite if you are not careful or do not have the right amount of experience or necessary tools. Instead of turning the job into a DIY project, take your car to an auto repair shop to have a mechanic replace the fuel pump for you.

To find out more, contact an auto repair store.