Fuel Pump

[EXRider]

Hey guys I am about to roll 120K on the Pilot and I am starting to get some hesitation right around 40mph in overdrive. I have done all scheduled tune up items, from trans flush to new spark plugs, all OEM spec, and the problem is still around.

So I was looking into doing the fuel filter, believing that is getting clogged, 6 years old and 120k, it would need replacing. Unfortunatly I see that there is no filter or it is supposed to last a lifetime, but you can purchase a new pump. Of course it goes in the tank.

So my question is, has anyone ever done this type of problem, if so what was the fix and has anyone done the fuel pump before.

Thanks Patrick

[belundy]

Unless it seriously lacks power overall or idles badly, I doubt it's fuel pump or filter related. From what I've seen, the in-tank filter really is lifetime.

Are there any other symptoms; like RPM flareup, bucking? Does it happen in D3 at 40 mph as well?

The hesitation (might it be surging or uneven power delivery?) sounds suspiciously like an EGR issue, especially with that mileage and if you've never cleaned the throttle body or EGR ports.

A search for EGR ought get you plenty of reading material.

[EXRider]

Thanks for the tip. I have never driven it in any other gear than D. It really does not surege or anything like that. I have never cleaned the throttle body or done anything with the EGR either. I will look it up.

Patrick

[Cotton]

I would certainly check the EGR before going after the pump....

But I can tell you my fuel pump story and the symptoms I experienced. That may help you iunderstand your situation.

I was hauling hinder one sunday morning in a rural area on one of our great interstates. I was in my Suburban with 140,000 miles. I was in the right lane and without warning, the truck started choking big time. I shifted into neutral and the truck died. This whole episode was 3 seconds or less... As I'm coasting down the right lane, I try restarting the truck in neutral. No luck. Nothing... Just the engine trying to start, but no grab.

I then turn the wheel to coast down the exit ramp. I brake and stop 40 feet from the end of the exit ramp. And that was it... the truck never moved, never started. It was towed to a local shop. And from the instant it died a speed, it never restarted, or even came close, until after the repair.

This was the most stranded I have ever been. And in summary, it was the worse auto experience I've ever had. Even worse than falling asleep in my truck on Saturday night in a full parking lot outside the Texas Hall of Fame Dancehall and waking up in the morning to an empty lot, fogged up windows, and monkey breath.

Some days later, I paid the local shop $600 for the fuel pump repair, picked up the truck, and drove it back home.

The next morning, gasoline was pooled under the truck. I took it to my hometown repairman. He re-did the leaking repair done by the other shop. And from him I learned that fuel pumps can go anytime without warning. And once they go, you're done. You will be towed until repaired.

With that in mind, I started looking at my wife's car with 130,000 miles.... and it occured to me that if the fuel pump goes out when she's driving, it won't be a $600 repair, it'll be a $35,000 repair (NEW CAR)!!!!

So now, if I hit 120,000 miles and she's a keeper, then yeah, I look into a given her a new pump; just as preventative maintenance.

Good luck!

Cotton