Your engine warning light is on, the car feels weak when you press the accelerator, and a scan has shown the P0087 fault code. It sounds technical, but the idea behind it is simple: your engine is not getting fuel at the pressure it needs. We see this code a lot on diesel cars in East Ham, and it is also found on many modern petrol cars. Here is what P0087 means, what usually causes it, and how it gets fixed.
What Does the P0087 Fault Code Mean?
P0087 stands for “Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too Low”. In plain English, the engine’s computer has checked the pressure of the fuel waiting to go into the engine and found it is lower than it should be.
If your engine warning light has come on with this code, our guide on what the engine management light means and whether it is safe to drive explains what the different light colours and behaviours are telling you.
How the Fuel Rail Works (The Simple Version)
Most modern diesel cars, and many petrol cars with direct injection, use something called a common rail system. Here is how it works in four simple steps:
- A small pump in or near the fuel tank sends fuel towards the engine.
- The fuel passes through a filter, which catches dirt and water.
- A high-pressure pump squeezes the fuel to a huge pressure. On a diesel, this can be hundreds of times the pressure in your tyres.
- The fuel is stored in a strong metal pipe called the fuel rail, ready for the injectors to spray it into the engine.
A sensor on the fuel rail keeps checking the pressure. If the pressure stays too low for too long, the computer stores P0087 and turns on the warning light. Often it will also put the car into limp mode, which cuts power to protect the engine.
Think of it like a garden hose. If the tap is only half on, or the hose is kinked or blocked, the spray at the end is weak. The engine needs a strong, steady spray of fuel to run properly.
What Causes a P0087 Fault Code?
Low fuel pressure can start anywhere between the fuel tank and the fuel rail. That is why this code needs a proper check rather than a guess. The table below shows the most common causes, what you might notice, and a rough guide to repair costs in the UK.
| Cause | What you might notice | How common | Rough UK repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocked or old fuel filter | Power drops when accelerating hard, often on a car overdue a service | Very common | £60 to £180 |
| Running very low on fuel | Code appears after driving on the reserve, often on hills or bends | Common | Free (fill up, then clear and check) |
| Air in the fuel lines | Long cranking before it starts, often after a filter change or running out of fuel | Common | £50 to £120 to bleed the system |
| Faulty fuel pressure sensor | Warning light on but the car may drive fairly normally | Fairly common | £150 to £350 |
| Faulty pressure regulator or metering valve | Rough running, stalling, power that comes and goes | Fairly common | £150 to £400 |
| Weak lift pump in the fuel tank | Hard starting, cutting out, worse when the tank is low | Less common | £250 to £600 |
| Fuel leak | Smell of fuel, wet patches under the car or on the engine | Less common | Varies with where the leak is |
| Worn high-pressure pump | Big loss of power, stalling, sometimes metal bits in the fuel | Less common but serious | £800 to £2,500 or more |
| Wrong or dirty fuel | Problems start straight after filling up | Rare | £300 to £1,500 or more, depending on damage |
These prices are only a general guide. The real cost depends on the make and model of your car and what the checks find. We always confirm the price before any work starts.
Signs You Might Notice
- The engine warning light coming on
- The car going into limp mode, with much less power than usual
- The engine hesitating, jerking or feeling “flat” when you accelerate
- The engine taking longer than normal to start, or not starting at all
- The engine cutting out, especially when the fuel tank is low
- Rough idling or a shaky engine when stopped
- Worse fuel economy than usual
Is It Safe to Drive With a P0087 Code?
It is not a good idea to keep driving for long. Low fuel pressure can make the car lose power suddenly, which is dangerous when joining a main road or overtaking. The engine can also cut out without warning.
There is a hidden risk too. On a diesel, the fuel helps keep the high-pressure pump cool and slippery. If the pump is starved of fuel, it can wear quickly and send tiny bits of metal through the whole fuel system. A cheap filter job can then turn into a very expensive repair with a new pump, rail and injectors.
If the car is in limp mode, keep your speed down, avoid long trips, and get it checked as soon as you can.
How We Find the Problem
Because P0087 has so many possible causes, we never just read the code and replace a part. Here is what a proper check involves:
- We ask how the car has been running. Did the problem start after filling up, after a service, or when the tank was nearly empty?
- We read every stored fault code, not just P0087. A code for the pressure sensor, the regulator or a fuel leak often points straight to the real cause.
- We watch the live fuel pressure. Our equipment shows the pressure the computer is asking for and the pressure it is actually getting, both at idle and under load.
- We check the simple things first, like the fuel filter, the fuel level and any signs of air or leaks in the fuel lines.
- We test the sensor, valves and wiring to make sure they are giving honest readings.
- We test the pumps, checking how much fuel the lift pump and high-pressure pump are delivering.
- We road test the car after any repair to make sure the pressure stays steady.
A cheap code reader can tell you the code number, but it cannot do these checks. Our guide on code readers versus proper car diagnostics explains why that difference matters so much with a code like P0087.
Codes That Often Appear With P0087
P0087 sometimes shows up alongside other codes. These can help point to the cause:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| P0088 | Fuel rail pressure too high |
| P0089 | Fuel pressure regulator performance problem |
| P0093 | Large fuel system leak found |
| P0190 to P0193 | Fault with the fuel rail pressure sensor or its wiring |
| P0299 | Turbo or supercharger not giving enough boost |
Will P0087 Make My Car Fail Its MOT?
It can. During an MOT, the tester checks that the engine warning light comes on with the ignition and then goes off. A warning light that stays on is a fail on most cars. A diesel with low fuel pressure can also run badly and puff out smoke, which may fail the smoke test. You can see exactly what testers look for in the government’s MOT inspection manual section on exhaust emissions and the engine warning light.
It is best to get a P0087 code sorted well before your MOT is due.
How to Stop P0087 Coming Back
- Change the fuel filter on time. On a diesel, this is one of the most important parts of a service and one of the main causes of P0087.
- Do not drive on an almost empty tank. Keeping at least a quarter of a tank helps stop the pump sucking in air and running hot.
- Use a busy, trusted fuel station. Fresh, clean fuel is less likely to carry water or dirt.
- Act quickly on warning signs. If the car feels weak or hesitates, get it checked before the high-pressure pump is damaged.
- Never ignore wrong fuel. If you put petrol in a diesel, or diesel in a petrol car, do not start the engine. Call for help straight away.
Why Choose First Auto Centre
We are an RAC-approved garage on Lawrence Road in East Ham, with over 20 years of experience across our team. We work on all makes, with particular expertise in Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. We use proper diagnostic equipment to find the real cause of a P0087 fault code, so you only pay for the repair your car actually needs. We will always explain what we find and give you a clear price before any work starts.
If your car is showing P0087, our car diagnostics service will get to the bottom of it quickly.
Quick Questions
What is the most common cause of P0087?
On diesel cars, a blocked fuel filter is the most common cause. Faulty pressure sensors and regulators come next.
Can I clear the P0087 code myself?
You can, but it will usually come straight back because the problem behind it is still there. Clearing it also wipes useful information that helps us find the fault faster.
Does P0087 only affect diesel cars?
No. It is most common on diesels, but many modern petrol cars with direct injection use a fuel rail too, so they can show P0087 as well.
Can a new fuel filter fix P0087?
Often, yes, especially if the filter is old or overdue. If the code returns after a new filter, the problem is likely a sensor, valve or pump.
How much does it cost to fix P0087?
It can be anywhere from around £60 for a fuel filter up to £2,500 or more for a new high-pressure pump. The only way to know for sure is a proper diagnostic check.
Is P0087 the same as P0088?
No. P0087 means the fuel pressure is too low. P0088 means it is too high. Both need checking, but the causes are different.
Book Your P0087 Diagnostic in East Ham Today
A P0087 fault code will not fix itself, and driving on low fuel pressure risks damaging expensive parts. Call us on 020 4539 0131, book online, or drop in at 1 Lawrence Road, London E6 1JN. We are open Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 18:00. We will find the real cause, explain it in plain English, and give you a clear price before any work starts.
