Car just died need help, think it's the fuel pump.

[Stockton]

So a few months ago I noticed when I turned my car on the normal steady "whirring" of the fuel pump under the rear seats wasn't steady it was more of a sputtering.

After some suggestions on here I changed my fuel filter.

Everything seemed fine after that. I drove my car on a 1200 mile road trip down the entire East Coast to my new home.

It's been about 6k miles on the new fuel pump and 2 days ago I hear the sputtering when I start it. I drove the car about 1 mile home and it's been in the garage.

Today I go to leave for a very important interview for a scholarship and I hear the sputtering on start then as it idles it's moaning and gurgling very load.

I got to the end of my street and the car died.

All power staid on, the engine just stalled out. I turned the key and it started up for a split second then sputtered out...I'm assuming just from the fuel in the line.

After that it won't roll over at all.

I'm assuming it's the fuel pump.

How hard is it to change yourself? Is this something I can do or should I have the dealership do it?

Also should I replace the fuel filter again since I'm replacing the pump or should the filter be ok since it only has 6k miles on it?

Any DIYs on the fuel pump or should use the Bentley Manual?

[phantom b6]

3 of us today have had this problem!

[roqsupastar]

there was a recall on the fuel pump, had mine changed through the dealer back when I had a b6, if you look on the nhtsa website youll find

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
AUDI / A4 2003

AUDI / A6 2003

VOLKSWAGEN / PASSAT 2003

Recall Number: 06V017000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - MARCH 2003, EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence:
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
Notes:
VW RECALL NO. M7 AND AUDI RECALL NO. JL. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.


and


Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
AUDI / A4 2003

AUDI / A6 2003

VOLKSWAGEN / PASSAT 2003

Recall Number: 07V375000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L TURBO, 2.8L V6, OR 3.0L ENGINES, A CHANGE IN THE ELECTRICAL MOTOR COMPONENTS IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
Consequence:
IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 28, 20007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-222-8987 OR AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834. THIS RECALL IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).
Notes:
VW RECALL NO. M7 AND AUDI RECALL NO. JL. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[Stockton]

Yea, when I had the problem last time I called the dealer and gave them my vin.

My car is an '04 and they said there are no active recalls.

So is this something I can do myself or should I have a mechanic do it for me?

How about the filter, should I replace that should that be ok since it's fairly new?

[Papachristou]

i would do you filter as well because it probably picked up some trash... it isnt too bad of a job, just nasty.. you just need a small screwdriver... take the back seat out, undo the lines *be ready for fuel to start flowing) take the pump out and put in your new one... its kinda tricky to figure out how it clips in (mine was full of fuel so i couldnt see anything) but i did it in about 1.5 hours

[Stockton]

Ok cool thanks. Did you use the Bentley Manual or did you have a DIY you found online?

I just filled up my tank the other day too.

That's another thing I noticed. When I had the problem the first time it was after I put a full tank of gas in.

This time it happened again after I filled up.

I always fill up so that's not a rare thing so I guess it's just a coincodence I noticed the problems after I put in a fresh full tank.

I don't think it's bad gas I used BP Premium 93 or Shell 93 and the chances of me getting 2 bad tanks of gas in different states are rare.