My 89 volvo 240 is kinda hard to start. I think it's not getting enough fuel. I'm getting ready to swap out the fuel filter and clean the fuel injectors. If one of the fuel pumps are getting weak which is first to go? Just for my own peace of mind I will eventually replace both fuel pumps but one at a time as budget permitts. So if there is a weakness which should I replace first? I don't have a fuel pressure gauge or a multi-meter guage to test them.

 

One school of thought is that both should be replaced at the same time. However, because of budget restrictions, this is not always possible.

The in-tank pump should have a sock type filter fitted to it to pick up the rubbish in the tank. Over time the filter either becomes clogged and fuel flow slows down or it breaks down allowing rubbish to get to the main pump, causing damage to it. In my opinion the in-tank pump should be replaced first, together with a new sock filter which you buy separately. If you go the other way and replace the main pump first you could damage it if the in-tank filter is bad.