2001 V70 XC - Fuel pump question

[jjcrowl]

Dear MVS members,
I have a 2001 Volvo XC with 300,900 miles that I have owned since new (2.4L5 engine). The car is running great and is a daily driver in Northern Virginia and occasionally makes a drive to Upstate New York.
My wife and I love this car and it's a shame Volvo stopped making these.

Anyway, my question to the forum: Should I replace the fuel pump?

I would like to think one of the reasons this car has gone 300k miles, is I try to pre-empt component failure and keep up with maintenance. The car has had a "used but good" transmission installed (40k miles ago), new timing belt (45k miles ago), new alternator, throttle control module rebuild, tie rods, exhaust, etc....

I realize that, in general terms, I'm probably on borrowed time with the fuel pump. I'm curious how often forum members have needed to replace the fuel pumps on these vintage cars. Curious how many will reply, "change out ASAP" verses "don't fix if it ain't broke".

Thanks.

[scot850]

It is a tough question. Like you say, there will be the 2 sides. With the mileage and age of the car, in my opinion, you are likely on borrowed time. Sure, if you are in the leave it if it ain't broke camp, that is fine if it i just a local run around and not a car you rely on for day to day or you have another car you can use should it go wrong. You also use the car for longer trips and enjoy it for those trips.

A couple of things to consider. Are you experiencing any issues like hard starting hot or cold? If no, from a fuel pump perspective I'd say all is working as it should. The pump is working and the fuel pressure valve is working. Is the pump noisy or howling showing it is getting tired? If not, then likely it is fine. If all seems fine, if you are still worried, you could have a fuel pressure test done and see what the fuel pressure bleed down is once the engine is turned off. If it is holding the correct pressure at initial start up and maintains the running pressure in range then it is ok. Then if the bleed down takes a while (>30 mins) then you are likely also ok.

I generally find fuel pumps give some warning of imminent death, getting noisy, stumbling running, hard starting.

My one warning to old cars and fuel pumps is not to run fuel tank below 1/4 full to maintain the fuel cooling of the pump.

If you are still concerned, then fit a new pump. If you can do it yourself it is not terrible just fiddly with the cable feed within the tank. FCP Euro and others carry Bosch pumps and they seem to be ok in these days of varying parts quality.

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

If I were making any long distance trips, I would change the fuel pump if I thought it were near the end of life. I would not want to risk fuel pump death on the side of the highway far from home.
My 2001 V70 fuel pump was leaking at top plastic at about 194K miles. I replaced with new.
volvolugnut

[abscate]

My one warning to old cars and fuel pumps is not to run fuel tans below 1/4 full to maintain the fuel cooling of the pump.

If you kept the tank 1/4 full or more that pump is fine. The 99 on return lacking fuel pressure regulation de-stresses the fuel pump , too

[jjcrowl]

Thanks to those that have made a comment.
Agree, we keep the gas tank at least 1/4 full as much as possible.
Agree, rolling the dice on long trips.
There are no strange noises from the fuel pump. The car accelerates and goes up hill well with no hesitation. Starts well when cold or hot. No codes.
I did get my pressure tester and connected to the fuel rail. With the engine running, 50 psi and steady(at idle). When I shut the engine off, pressure steadily drops to zero.
This seems to indicate the pump is weak(psi should be higher, yes?) but I am not sure what causes the fail on the bleed down. Is that a condition of the fuel pump or a pressure regulator?

[jjcrowl]

I thought I would provide further information on this post. I did have the fuel pump and sending units in both primary and secondary fuel tank chambers replaced. The new fuel pressure at the rail is now 59lbs at idle and maintains 50lbs when shut off. I had an independent mechanic, who has worked on the car before, do the work. I had him save the old parts. Quite interesting how these saddle tanks work with the jet pump pumping from the secondary side to the primary side. I'll attach some images, including the suction screen which did not appear to have much debris after 300k miles and 24 years.

[abscate]

That is a solid piece of PM work! If you do that VA to upstatea lot, post up your route and we will find MVS along the way for emergency help.

Brumsted in Ithaca if you go Finger Lakes area up 81

[jjcrowl]

Thank you!
Route is typically I-95 north then I-87 north towards Albany.
Sometimes we do 81, will keep Brumsted in mind.