It appears that the main fuel pump on my '90 wagon has expired. THe main relay is working, and a #4 - #6 fuse jump does not run the pump. The pre-pump is 3 months old.

I typically buy from IPD. Their fuel pump is a Bosch, and is $200.00+. The Advance Auto, 3 blocks from my house, has an aftermarket version for $80.00 w/1 year warranty.

Anyone had any experience with the aftermarket pump?

Monty

personally i would avoid aftermarket pumps. you might try tasco auto group. they are a dealer that sells oem parts at discount. you might be surprised at their prices.

Monty,

After reading posts on this board for 11 years, I would not get the Airtex replacement for main pump. I've never seen a Bosch unit die, though I believe they can be abused beyond the level I've managed.

In your place, I would get a used Bosch, or if convenience merits, a new one. I've nothing against the Airtex brand, except a recollection of symptoms such as Randy reports, and there are certainly possible legitimate explanations for such short life, all well-detailed in any fuel pump's warranty literature.

For instance, I just used an Airtex brand tank pump (Bosch doesn't make these yet) which came with a stipulation for the warranty that I remove and flush the fuel tank, all lines, and replace all filters. I did see the word "Illinois" on the Airtex box, and not the word "China".

Also, before deciding to spend $100+, I would go to the trouble of verifying the terminal connections at the pump are indeed providing full battery voltage. Not easy, but Bosch main pumps are just that bulletproof in my experience.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"If only Sweden awarded a Nobel Prize for recycling its cars." - General Colin L. Powell

My '85 has an aftermarket pump installed by the PO and it's very noisy. I've verified that everything else is fine, so it has to be the pump. I have a used Bosch in the trunk ready to swap in when this one dies.

Go Bosch. Even a used one will last you a long time.
--
1985 244DL B230 M46 170k

FCP Groton lists the Bosch main pump for $155. Not $80 like the aftermarket, but cheaper than the $200 you saw elsewhere. And that is enough to qualify you for free shipping.

john

I purchased a non running 240 a few years ago that had an aftermarket fuel pump installed.

I removed the aftermarket pump and replaced it with a used OE Bosch and it started and ran fine. So my experience was that the aftermarket pump would be a bad investment.

Randy

I had a brand name aftermarket pump last about a year ever since then I have found like new Bosch pumps at the bone yard. Bosch pumps last almost forever, even if you buy one new in the long run it's a good deal.
Dan