Chrysler/Dodge fuel pump whine? How quickly is it fatal?

Question

The fuel pump on my 2003 Chrysler Town and Country (3.3L, 51,000 miles) is whining fairly loudly. Has been for about two months, but I just figured out what it was (thought the noise was the A/C fan blower motor). I'm capable of changing it myself, but am working away at the moment without access to my tools or a place to drop the fuel tank. How quickly does this thing normally fail once it starts whining? Is it worth paying someone to do it ($1000 job), or wait two weeks and 1000 miles and do it myself ($250)?

Answer 1

when they start making that noise they are about out,they will run a while but not usually too long,and its cheaper now to buy those as a unit with the sending unit new rather than to just replace the pump,nine times out of ten when you just replace the pump a few months later the sending unit will cause problems,then you have to drop the tank again,id do it once and do it right ,replace both as a unit then you shouldn't have no problems from it,but you wont have to much longer until it goes out,good luck.

Answer 2

Drive until almost empty then drop the tank,put a new pump (fuel sender comes with the pump module).It is not that hard,couple hours at most,save a bundle.Just be careful with the gasoline,better to have a fire extinguisher at hand.

Answer 3

Just do it when you get home. It'll be fine. Just take it easy on the pedal.  

Answer 4

most are gauge sender and pump....my s 10 chevy is 300 for pump/sender.....i use odometer to get gas every every 200/225 miles...all pumps make noise...check others before wasteing $ on new one. if i turn key to on but not start i can hear loud pump humm