How can I test my fuel pump?

[hidesertwheelin]

So I finally beat the rust from the locking ring and pulled my sending unit/pump. First think I noticed was that the small hose that runs from the pump to the sending unit was mush and cracked. That may have been my problem. Since I have it out I am going to swap in my new delphi fuel pump anyways, but would like to test this one and see if it still works. If it does I will keep it as a spare.

 

[blazin' j]

should jus b able to hook up a power wire and ground to it and see if it works...

 

[Fordum]

AH, couple of points. Make sure the pump is under fuel when you try it. It not only uses fuel for lubrication, it also uses it to cool the pump.
Also, since it has brushes, they will make sparks if they are in the air.

And hook the wires up solidly, move back from the pump and fuel, and then hook the wires to a battery. Don't have the wires hot when you touch them to the pump contacts.

And have a good fire extinguisher handy and/or a lot of sand.

You could try it with water, lots safer, but I don't know what that would do the the pump. If you use water, I would get all the water out and pour in some light oil afterward.

J.

 

[4xcrazy]

not gonna hurt it to check the pump out of fuel, not going to be running it for long enough time to generate heat.

Had a very experienced auto tech/boss inform me to hook it up like normal, positive to positive and negative to negative, see how it spins real quick, then reverse the polarity on the terminals, i can't remember exactly what he mentioned, but it will spin differently, telling you the main shaft is worn.

Or even if the activation just doesn't sound smooth and steady, it's dead.

Honestly though, IMO, they aren't all that badly priced, i would just buy a new one and keep it as a spare if you feel you need to carry one with you.

 

[ryoken]

yup, ain't gonna hurt it or blow yourself up bump testing it out of the tank... but as mentioned, if it's out replace it and keep it as a spare anyway...

 

[blazin' j]

thats how they tested mine once it was out the tank @ advanced auto...i had already purchased and installed new one n jus decided to check the old one and it wrkd fine...cound never find y my tbi wouldnt wrk so i jus carb'd the motor...