# Changing parts **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [August 31, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463 "2010-08-31T18:10:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ronny\_Speir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Ronny\_Speir](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ronny_Speir)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/1 "2010-08-31T18:10:52Z")
I have a 1996 toy with 143,250mi in great shape worried about some parts that can stick you on the side of the road on particular fuel pump then alternator dont know if they have ever been changed the fuel pump first should I just go and have it changed, sort of expensive for low income senior some times with a pump thers no warning with altinator you can usually get home using less electric power as possible thank evey one Ronny ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/2 "2010-08-31T18:12:24Z")
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it unless the manual tells you to replace it as part of scheduled maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/3 "2010-08-31T18:39:22Z")
Don’t make trouble. All maintenance that should be done should be written in the owner’s manual. Things like fuel pumps should be left alone until there is a real problem. I would only guess most cars end up in the bone yard with their original fuel pumps. One exception would be if you are working on something else and you just spent two hours getting to it and you have a chance to change out a part or two that will cost you only a few dollars and very little labor, would I bother. Remember that often replacing one part leads to other problems. Don’t borrow trouble. Also consider that a fuel pump may run dry and that can damage the pump. Even if you happen to change the pump the day before, that new pump will also burn out if it is run dry. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/4 "2010-08-31T19:08:10Z")
My Ford Escort’s fuel pump has almost 270K on it / alternator went about 225K before going. Dodge Caravan - 220K on both pump & alternator. Drive on. If it makes you feel better check (or have checked) the charging system & fuel pressure every 6mos or so. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/5 "2010-08-31T19:15:51Z")
The problem is that brand new parts can fail at any time too. Also, there’s the possibility of "service induced failure." I’d leave the alternator and the pump alone unless there are some warning signs of failure. ---
**Author:** ![cappy208](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cappy208/32/31_2.png) [@cappy208](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cappy208)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/6 "2010-08-31T20:31:11Z")
with your car i’d be more worried that the waterpump and timing belt were changed on schedule than the fuel pump. your’e correct about the alternator though, they usually give warning signs they are about to go, like a grinding noise, or the flashing red ‘battery’ light on the dash. Have you changed the serpentine belt recently? that would be an important item too. You Do regular oil changes? In all likely hood your toyota will be on the road for another ten years or so! ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/7 "2010-08-31T21:00:13Z")
I don’t see many cars broken down on the side of the road these days. Except for belts suddenly breaking, most parts will give symptoms of wearing out before they die. Replace things that need replacing - otherwise don’t go looking to spend more than you need to just to be proactive Keep jumper cables with you, a cell phone, and maybe a AAA membership card or insurance card with towing coverage. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/8 "2010-09-01T01:11:10Z")
In the past 25 years we’ve owned 4 vehicles that had well over 250k miles and all were sold or given away with the original fuel pump and alternator and starter…I can’t say that’s true for all manufacturers…but it’s true for Nissan and Honda. And I’d be extremely surprised if I had to replace them on my 4runner or wifes Lexus before 300k miles. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/9 "2010-09-01T04:57:44Z")
Fuel pumps are a tough call. Failure symptoms can vary quite a bit from quitting instantly and permanently to acting up for a spell and then working fine for a month or so until it goes through another episode. If the car sees a lot of open road use and the fuel filter has not been changed regularly my opinion would be to think about heading off a potential problem before it occurs and change the pump rather than risk sitting on the side of road wondering why it was not done. A few years back I went over my daughter in law’s Lincoln LS that was supposed to have been maintained by a facility in another state. I discovered the original fuel filter (at 80k miles) still on it and told her the pump may likely die in the near future due to this filter not being changed. The fast lube charged for it but didn’t do it because apparently they could not find it. (Located inside the LF fender) Not too many months later while on a road trip in western KS the pump just up and died on I-70, and on a July 4th weekend to boot. So after the tow bill, night in a hotel while waiting for an ordered part, and the 700 bucks for a pump module the bank account took a pretty hefty hit. ---
**Author:** ![Ronny\_Speir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Ronny\_Speir](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ronny_Speir)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/10 "2010-09-02T01:28:47Z")
All belts have been change with in 4000mi waterpump and belt changed with in 35000 mi thanks ever one for you answers P.S. but the gas filter needs changing ---
**Author:** ![Ronny\_Speir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecb155/32.png) [@Ronny\_Speir](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ronny_Speir)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/11 "2010-09-02T01:32:57Z")
Thanks everone for your help. All belts have been changed waterpump an belt chained 35000mi ago but fuel pump filter needs changing again thanks Ronny ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/changing-parts/54463/12 "2010-09-02T02:07:13Z")
I’ve had original pumps last over 300K and OEM replacements last less than 30K. The only things I pre-emptively change are belts, hoses, maybe batteries, etc. Unless its something I know will be a problem.