5 RV Fuel Pump Problems: How To Test and Fix an RV Fuel Pump
If it is mechanical, it may break down on you. You can count on it happening at some point in time. Hopefully when you have a lot of money available to fix the problem. Fuel pumps are just one of many parts that can break down at the wrong time and they can happen on built-in generators as well.
You really don't need to test the fuel pump to see if it is going bad. You may hear it first as there may be a whining sound coming from your fuel tank. Or you will have difficulty in starting the pump or the engine stalls when temperatures get a little hot.
To learn about and understand how to fix a fuel pump, just continue to read our article. It goes through some of the issues you may face at some point in time. Take a few minutes to see how to handle your fuel pump problem when you are on the road.
Fuel Pump Problems 101
Common RV Fuel Pump Problems
There are a few common RV fuel problems that may be found in all RVs no matter who makes them. Here is a short list to check to see if this is happening on your rig:
- 1. Whining fuel tank - an RV fuel pump is supposed to hum when it is working right. But if the hum changes to a whine, then you know there is a problem. The source could be low fuel, damage to the pump, or contaminated fuel. To fix this issue either add fuel or replace the pump.
- 2. Hard to start - because your fuel pump is always running when the ignition is on, it may be showing signs of its age or it is wearing out. The best fix is to replace it with a younger, newer model.
- 3. Stalling in high temperatures - this happens a lot when the pump starts to age and wear out. But it could only be the pump’s motor. You can fix the motor or replace the pump. It is your choice.
- 4. No power - when you hit the gas pedal and you do not go anywhere, it could be the fuel pump. This situation can happen when you are trying to make it up the hill. Your engine will shut down due to a lack of fuel and you will need to rep[lace the pump.
- 5. Low mileage - Inside the fuel pump is a little valve that may not be working right. Take your RV to the nearest qualified mechanic and have them fix this valve so your rig will get normal gas mileage again.
What are The Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump?
The symptoms are the same as the common problems. If you hear a whining sound coming from your gas tank, it may be that the pump is going out on you. However, it may also mean that you need to fill up or you somehow got contaminated gas inside.
Other symptoms will be no power, no gas mileage, or your RV just won’t start. If your RV stalls out on you at the wrong time or in high heat, those are other symptoms of a bad fuel pump.
These symptoms should not be ignored and when it is feasible, you should have a trained mechanic look at your rig. Tell them what you are experiencing and let them tell you what the exact problem is.
These symptoms may point to a simple problem like removing the contaminated gas and replacing it with good fuel. Always start with the simple problems first as that will save you a lot of money if they are the sources of your problem.
RVs do not get a lot of good gas mileage so that symptom may be hard to diagnose especially if you are towing a car or other toy behind it.
How to Test an RV Fuel Pump
Depending on the make and model of your RV, this test may or may not work for you. The first step is to check your electrical parts. Open your fuse box and look for the fuse that controls the fuel pump.
Check it to see if it has blown. If so, replace. If not check the other fuses that are associated with your fuel system and see if that problem exists with those fuses. If not you are fine in this check.
Next, get a volt or multimeter and test your pump to see if any electricity is reaching it. If not then it could be your pump relay that has malfunctioned and you will need to replace that part.
If there are no problems with the electrical system, then get a fuel pressure gauge to test the fuel pressure. Make sure to have someone pressing the gas pedal after you hook up the pressure gauge. Then look at the gauge for your reading.
If there is a problem, then the needle won’t move and you know you have a bad fuel pump. Before you go to the fuel pressure gauge test, check your fuel filter to see if it is clogged or needs replacing. If it is, replace it as your fuel pump may be fine.
Motorhome Fuel Pump Valve
One way to test if this part is the source of your fuel pump problems is to do pressure tests. The pressure test will help identify where the problem may lie. If the check valve is the problem there is one simple fix that may solve the problem for the long term.
You can replace the old valve or you can cut out about a 1-inch section from the fuel line and put in a new check valve made for 3/8inch fuel lines. You make the cut between the tank and the filter.
The compression fittings included help seal up both ends of the fuel line and you may not need the included clamp if the fuel line clamp is nearby. If you have a non-metal fuel line, there are extra parts included helping you fit the new check valve to those lines.
This fix may only take about half an hour so it is not complicated or hard to do. This valve is designed to work on those fuel lines that have a return line in their design. Other valves that may be on your RV or not, will be the switch and selector valve. You should check those as well if they are a part of your fuel system.
RV Fuel Pump Switch
On some Ford models, there is what is called an inertia fuel pump switch. Its job is to shut off the fuel supply when you get into an accident. It helps prevent fires from starting when your RV is severely damaged.
The location of this switch is down on the driver’s side of the firewall near where your left foot would normally be. The drawback to this switch’s design is that any number of minor bumps, like hitting a rock, will trigger it.
If that happens, then the switch engages and cuts off your fuel supply. To fix it, you have to reset the switch. The Chevy models don't have this switch and those rigs rely on check valves to help control your fuel supply.
In other models, there may be an oil pressure switch you have to be concerned about as it does the same duty as the fuel inertia switch. Check to see if that switch was triggered as well as it needs to be reset for your rig to run right.
Also, check your fuel pump relay as it can malfunction cutting off your fuel supply without having to be in an accident.
Motorhome Fuel Pump Location
The location of your specific fuel pump will depend on the make and model of your RV. You should check your owner’s manual to see if they have a diagram that points to its location.
Now some rigs will have 2 fuel pumps. One will be the mechanic alone found at your motor. This is generally easy to find and replace if there is anything wrong with it. Then you either have a second fuel pump in your gas tank or you only have the one in your gas tank to pump fuel.
In either case, it will be electronic and if it goes bad, then usually, you have to drop the whole gas tank to get to it. Once you reach the fuel pump, you can either repair what is wrong or replace it.
If by chance the electronic fuel pump is not inside your gas tank, then you are in luck and the repair will be a lot easier to do. The most common problems for this type of fuel pump will be found in the motor. The brushes, the rotor, or the impeller may go bad on you and they would have to be replaced.
The easiest fix for a fuel pump will be replacing the whole part.
When Should I Replace a Fuel Pump?
Not to be condescending or humorous, you should replace the fuel pump when it cannot be repaired. There will be times where you can remove the bad parts and then replace those with new ones.
When the problem with the pump cannot be fixed by replacing different parts, and this includes electrical fuses, relays, and so on, then you will have to replace the whole pump. Replacement is the most common solution for the majority of fuel pump issues.
When you have fuel pump problems, it is best to go to a mechanic you already know. That way you can be sure you are just paying for the right repair and do not have any other ‘repairs’ added to your bill.
Before you do have it replaced make sure to check all possible symptoms to make sure the fuel pump is the actual source of the problem. The fuses, relays, and other parts associated with this part can be the ones acting up and creating the different issues you are experiencing.
Fuel pump replacement can still be costly even when you are using a mechanic you trust.
Motorhome Fuel Pump Cost
One thing is for sure, replacing your RV’s fuel pump is not going to be the same as replacing your car’s part. The costs are going to be a lot higher and depending on where you live, labor costs may be out of this world.
Outside of California, you may see more reasonable labor costs, even in the eastern seaboard. With that said, one person was doing it himself and the part alone cost him $600 approx. He expected it would take him between 4 to 6 hours to replace the fuel pump. Add in labor costs and you are looking at $1000 for the repair.
Other people have added more than $600 just for the part and the labor costs were a little more reasonable and they paid under $900 when everything was done. Part of the high cost is the location of the pump. There can be a lot of work involved just to access it.
One person paid $1600 including labor because there was so much work involved. Then another person had an extended warranty to cover repairs and it still cost him $1100.
The costs of owning an RV are mostly hidden costs because it is an RV and either you will be charged more because you can ‘afford’ the cost of repairs or the parts are in very complicated locations that take hours to get to, replace and put back together again.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace the RV Fuel Pump?
We gave you most of the horror stories in the previous section as the pump’s cost is minimal compared to the potential labor costs. Labor is the biggest influential factor here as the rates depend on the mechanic and the shop doing the job. Some mechanics in different states will charge more or less than their counterparts in other states.
It will all depend on who you go to as to the actual labor cost. Then if you are driving a nice Class A, there are some mechanics and shop owners who think that if you can afford that nice rig, you can afford any price they place on your repair.
Get estimates first before committing yourself if your situation allows you to do that. As you read, you could pay as little as $850 and as high as $1600for this repair. If you do it yourself, you will only need to pay for the parts involved and that is somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 to $700, depending.
We say depending because it will depend on where you buy your parts from. Some RV dealers have excellent mark-up rates as do some RV organizations that stock parts for your rig. You may have to shop around to get the best deal possible.
Replacing Fuel Pump On RV
You have just read the horror stories some owners have experienced when it comes to costs. The difficulty comes in when the RV manufacturer decides to place the fuel pump in some unique locations.
When placed inside the fuel tank, there is a lot of work involved in lowering the tank down safely so that the mechanic and the tank do not get damaged. That process will add a lot to your labor costs.
If you want to do it yourself, make sure you have the right tools and equipment to do the job safely. Then make sure you have about 5 to 10 gallons of fuel on hand as well as some empty gas containers to catch the fuel as it comes out when you start unhooking lines, etc.
The fuel on hand is to make sure you can have fuel to restart your RV when you are done. If the gas is contaminated, or more than a year old, you should replace it during the repair. You should avoid mixing old fuel with old fuel when it comes to your RV.
Also, if you are going to repair yourself, have some friends help you out. You will need more than 2 hands at times.
Some Final Words
Common fuel pump problems can be identified by their symptoms. You just need to recognize which symptom goes to which source. A lo0t of the time, it may not be the fuel pump that is the problem.
That means you need to check different aspects of your RV, for example. fuses, relays, check valves, and actual condition of the gas inside the tank. Once you find the source, the repair can either be cheap and easy or expensive and hard.
