I've got a 1988 Volvo 240 wagon.

Back in 2011, I had some fuel pump issues. I removed the in-tank fuel pump, which had failed, and also replaced the main fuel pump, which was also failing.

Being a broke 20-something at the time, I only replaced the main pump, and removed the in-tank pump because I read you only need the main pump to make the car run.

Since then the main fuel pump seems to be louder than it should, but I've ignored it forever.

I've read that this can cause the main pump to wear out faster. Is this something that will cause imminent failure? I'm about to take the car camping for the first time in some years and I'm just wondering how worried I should be about it.

Thanks!

 

It will fail faster without the in-tank pump. If you have noticed an increase in noise of late, that could be an indication of failure in the near future.

If it were me I wouldn't take it on long trips in that condition.

 

I think anyone who puts that damn in tank "Ring" of doom, (screw frodo) should get a special "patch" from Volvo. It's like putting a baby back inside a womb, and I saw my Son being born...I know.

My Regina ONLY has an in tank pump, but I'm sure if I had the energy time and money I could rig a Bosch inline. I put mine back in, severely disabled, so I couldn't really muscle it in, as I didn't have any muscle at the time, but it's pointing at say between 7-8:00 o'clock if it was a watch arm, so when I'm low on fuel and I take hard left turn...it sputters, if I take a hard right turn...it's like turbo lag.

Point is, I hate in tank Volvo fuel pumps. Still love my bricks though... I think mine is going from doing more work than it should.

 

virtually ALL newer cars only have in-tank pumps, like the regina used.

if you're running with a main pump and no in tank pump, don't let your gas tank get more than 1/2 empty.