A method of operating a fuel system to determine the extent of internal
wear of a fuel pump thereof comprises driving the fuel pump, moving a
metering valve member to a closed position in which the metering valve
bears against a resilient stop, increasing the operating speed of the
fuel pump to increase the pressure applied to the metering valve member
urging the valve member towards the resilient stop to a point beyond
which further movement of the metering valve member occurs, sensing when
the further movement of the metering valve member occurs, and sensing the
operating speed of the pump at the time when the further movement occurs.