car wouldn't start tonite when I left work. Had to join RACV on the spot ouch $300 gone. When the guy came after a short inspection and test, he asked me to try starting the car after he gave it a whack with a hammer in it's nether regions (it worked and the car sprung to life). He said that my petrol pump was kerput and told me it needed replacement asap. He told me to drive home ad not to stop on the way, and he followed me for the first km or so, to ensure that my car didn't die on me.

So guys is this something I should replace straight away i.e. stump for the mobile mechanic over the weekend? Or is there a good likihood he has brought me some time and I can keep going with the occaisional thwack until it dies totally?

i'd be getting on to it asap

Your choice. But you will look silly stalled at a traffic light whacking your fuel tank with a hammer while other motorists swear at you. No, I would swap the pump out as soon as possible.

Thks guys. for the quick reply.

what part off vic are you in .

your best bet would be to change it asap. the reason is that even though this bloke hit the gas tank and your car went again, there is no guarantee that whacking it with a hammer will help ever again. fuel pumps are bastards to get out, so unless your pretty sure of what your doing, id recommend getting it done professionally