As its name implies, a fuel pump delivers or “pumps” gas or diesel into the combustion chamber of your Volkswagen. It’s meant to be a long-lasting piece of equipment but sometimes. like any part, it can fail. That’s when a fuel pump replacement becomes necessary. Here are the warning signs of a bad fuel pump for your Volkswagen:

• Engine “chokes” or struggles to maintain speed
• Noises, backfires and a sputtering engine
• Hesitation at start or take-off
• A bad fuel pump can overheat, causing the engine to overheat
• Any of the above issues along with a “Check Engine” light

If you ignore these symptoms for too long your engine will eventually fail to start, so it’s best to see your mechanic as soon as you can.

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In the old days, mechanical fuel pumps were common on a lot of cars and trucks, sometimes attached outside the fuel tank. Vehicles today have electronic fuel injection, so such mechanical devices are relics. Electric fuel pumps – generally mounted inside the fuel tank – have replaced the outmoded mechanical pumps? Why is it better to have a fuel pump inside vs outside? Because a pump located in the gas tank, submerged in cool “liquid” and at a point farthest away from the hot engine, is less likely to start a fire.

A fuel pump’s job is pretty self-explanatory: it pumps fuel to the engine of your Volkswagen. It’s a hardy piece of equipment providing years of trouble-free service, but every once in a while you’ll need a fuel pump replacement. How would you know? Look for these bad fuel pump symptoms:

• Engine “chokes” or struggles to maintain speed
• Noises, backfires and a sputtering engine
• Hesitation at start or take-off
• A bad fuel pump can overheat, causing the engine to overheat
• Any of the above issues along with a “Check Engine” light

Ignore these symptoms long enough and you can add another symptom to the list: your car won’t start. So if you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, it’s best to see your mechanic as soon as possible.

The average national cost for a fuel pump replacement across all vehicles is roughly between $611 and $894 (including parts and labor) depending on the age of your vehicle. Your Volkswagen might be more (or less) than that, but you’ve come to the right place on KBB.com. We’ve analyzed 1000s of real repair orders to come up with the Kelley Blue Book Fair Repair Range to show you what you should expect to pay for a fuel pump replacement for your Volkswagen. Of course, to get the most specific estimate, it’s always best to check with your local Volkswagen mechanic or dealership.