Rep Power: 0

I bought a Honda Civic EX that is from 2000 in June of 2013 which was really well taken care of and came with all the maintenance records. After a few months it began having trouble starting when the gas tank got a little below half. I simply made sure that I kept it pretty full and I had no issues. Once the cold weather set in for the winter I've found that it takes about 10 minutes of trying to start it for about 10 seconds at a time, even with the gas tank full. I found that if I drive it everyday (I normally use it about 3 times a week) it always starts, except for when it's near a 1/4 tank of gas. I took it to an auto shop and after only a few hours of looking at it they said it was my fuel pump and fuel pump relay and would cost me $960!! I looked up how to do this repair on my own and it seems simple enough if I were to get some of my mechanically inclined friends involved AND it would cost closer to $250. I then took it to another auto shop who has had it for a few days and say they can't replicate the problem, though they did recommend I flush my transmission and brake fluids. I'm not sure what to do, should I take it to a third shop? Or should I just got ahead and assume it is the fuel pump and relay?

 
Rep Power: 228

once it's having problems again, locate the fuel line and through on a pair of vise grips (not so tight that there is no flow though, but half or a fourth flow). now turn the ignition two clicks so the pump will prime. now turn the ignition to start and if it fires up you know that it is your pump, because the vise grips simulate higher pressure once the pump primes.

if you get to the point where the vehicle starts up but once you step on the gas it stalls out, then you know if is the fuel pump. as well you can use the above starting technique to try to start it if your pump gets this bad.

 
Rep Power: 242

Something could be clogging the fuel filter/pick up when the level drops.

$960 is crazy!! It's not difficult to DIY.

 
Rep Power: 517

A fuel pressure gauge and a $5 test light could tell you almost all you need to know about if the pump is getting switched on, and if it's working.

 
Rep Power: 203

$5 for a test light?!?....pthff...just go spend the $960 you'll be further ahead. (JOKING)

You must also be racking up some bills just going from shop to shop?

....but yeah, testing fuel pressure is pretty simple. Generally the relay can be repaired just by resoldering the connections if you have the skills to do that.

 
Rep Power: 517

One can probably buy solder and a soldering iron cheaper than a new main relay.


CSB: I saw these guys in the early-mid 90s, playing a bar in Dayton Ohio after a.......*cough* small local festival *cough*.

 
Rep Power: 517

OMGWTFBBQ