GMC Repair: fuel pump vs. fuel filter, buick regal, fuel pumps

Question
i have a 1991 buick regal 3.1 6cyl. fuel inj. my question is: if the fuel pump goes out, does it completely stop working or can it cause problems for a while. my car kills, takes a few tries to restart and spits and sputters after it starts. it sort of jerks too. almost like being hit. i'm not good at explaining, sorry...i've been told by people (that haven't looked at it) that it must be the fuel filter because if it were the fuel pump it would not restart. thank you if you can help answer my question with only my "not so clear" explanation...

Answer
Fuel pump test:

1. Get yourself a helper.

2. remove the gas cap.

3. have one person listen in the gas tank at the gas cap opening.

4. have the other person turn the ignition switch to the ON position ONLY so as the dash lights come on. Do NOT attempt to start the engine.

5. As soon as the ignition key is turned to the ON position, The person at the gas tank should hear the fuel pump run for TWO SECONDS and then it should STOP.

6. Does it ?.


If you do NOT hear it run, in most cases the fault is the fuel pump.



let me know.

I would TRY a new filter FIRST but fuel pumps usually start to get noisy before they quit working.


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