If the engine stalls, but then will run again after a few minutes, it’s likely because of sediment building up in the fuel filter or pump. As the sediment settles, the blockage clears and that fuel will begin to flow until it builds up again. You should also consider replacing your fuel filter.
Cleaning the pump and replacing the filter may solve this problem if you catch it early, but if you allow it to continue for too long, it will burn out the fuel pump and it will stop functioning. It’s not uncommon for the pump to click once when you turn the key, but it should not keep clicking after that.
Look for warning lights on your dashboard that may indicate other potential issues to explain the power loss. A battery light, for instance, might suggest an electrical issue, or a flashing check engine light indicates that the engine is misfiring. In the absence of those indicators, sudden (temporary) power loss is a good sign that there’s a problem with your fuel pump.
If you regularly drive with low fuel, there’s a higher likelihood that your fuel pump and filters are getting clogged. Use this determination along with the other symptoms listed above to determine if there’s an issue with your fuel pump. If you use fuel of poor quality, it will cause the tank clog faster.
You can purchase fuel system cleaner at many large retail stores as well as all auto parts stores. Purchase fuel system cleaner, not injector cleaner. These products are similar but serve different purposes.
The tank doesn’t need to be completely empty and free of fuel. It just needs to be as low as possible.
Most fuel system cleaners come with enough for one treatment. If yours comes with more than that, read the instructions to determine how much of the bottle to add to your tank. In some cases, a couple of rounds of fuel additive may be needed. Gloves aren’t necessary for this task, but you may want to wear them to keep any fuel system cleaner from getting on your hands. If you get any of the fuel system cleaner on your hands, wash them with soap and water.
Fill the tank all the way with new gas. Use the same octane fuel you always use.
Many fuel cleaners recommend letting the engine idle for ten or fifteen minutes to start letting the fuel and cleaner flow through the system before you start driving the car again. After that initial stage, you can drive the vehicle like normal as it cleans your fuel system.
The terminals will be labeled with positive (+) and a negative (-) symbols. Disconnecting the battery is especially important when working with fuel to ensure nothing within the vehicle can produce a spark. Tuck the negative cable to the side of the battery to ensure it doesn’t come into contact with the terminal by accident.
Most mechanical fuel pumps will have a portion that looks like a metal circle with a nozzle coming out of the top or bottom. Mechanical fuel pumps are usually only found in older vehicles.
Make sure the container you use is rated for fuel. Gasoline can melt through some types of plastic. Containers rated to hold gasoline will be labeled as such. If your container is not labeled, do not assume it can hold gasoline.
Make sure any fuel draining from the line falls into the container you slid beneath the car. If you have zip ties, you can zip tie the lines with the opening facing up to prevent any more fuel from pouring out. You’ll need to break or cut the zip ties when reconnecting the lines.
In some pumps, there may be a cylindrical filter housing on the top that you can unscrew by hand, instead of a bolt or nut. Others may use pipe clips to hold the cover in place. Loosen the screws securing them or pull them off with pliers, depending on the type of clip.
Use a medium sized paint brush to remove large and small bits of debris. The brush should be no wider than the body of the fuel pump. Many internal fuel filters for these pumps cannot be removed. In some vehicles, however, you can remove the filter and replace it if need be. Refer to a vehicle specific repair manual to help you determine if that’s the case for your car or truck.
You can purchase replacement hose clamps at your local auto parts store if you need them. Most hose clamps can be tightened with either a Phillips head screwdriver or a small wrench.
