5 Signs That Indicate Your Fuel Pump Is Failing
As the name suggests, a fuel pump is a component of the engine that is responsible for supplying fuel to the engine from the gas tank. Most fuel pumps in vehicles produced in the recent years are electronic and moderate the pressure at which the fuel is released to the engine. With that said, many vehicles still use a mechanical, inline fuel pump.
As you can imagine, a fuel pump is one of the most integral parts of your car’s engines. Fuel pump problems can cause critical problems in other areas of the engine and can be noticed in the form of performance issues in the driving experience of your vehicle.
Some of the signs that indicate your car’s fuel pump needs attention are:
Engine Sputters
A failed fuel pump is unable to consistently supply fuel to the engine. As a result, the engine may sputter at times, especially if the vehicle in question has been travelling at a high speed continuously for some time.
If you notice even small sputters in your engine while driving at high speed, it is a clear indication that your fuel pump has started failing and may need repairs or a complete replacement.
Sudden Loss Of Engine Power Under Stress
Similar to travelling at a high speed, going uphill in your car puts more-than-normal stress on your car’s engine. This means, when travelling uphill (or doing a similar stress-inducing activity, like pulling a load with your car), your car’s engine requires more fuel to deliver normal performance.
If you feel a sudden loss of power while driving uphill, it means that your car’s fuel pump is not able to keep up with the engine’s demand of more fuel.
A similar principal can be applied to a situation where you suddenly lose power while accelerating.
If these moments of loss of power are frequent, that means your fuel pump is seriously damaged and requires immediate attention.
Sudden Surges Of Power In The Engine
As mentioned earlier, the fuel pump’s function is to supply AND moderate the supply of fuel being injected into the engine. A malfunctioning fuel pump can result in an inconsistent flow of fuel to the engine.
As a result, just like the loss of power mentioned in the previous points, drivers may also notice a sudden surge in power while driving. This condition is known as surging and must be addressed immediately as surging poses a threat to your safety, along with the safety of other people on the road.
Decrease In Gas Mileage
Inconsistent flow of flue to the engine will mess with the engine’s ability to deliver efficient performance. Not to forget, unchecked quantities of fuel being supplied to the engine will result in a lot of fuel being wasted.
If you notice that your car has suddenly started consuming unusual amounts of fuel, your fuel pump may need to be checked.
Engine Failing To Start
All the signs mentioned before this point were warning signs that you must get your fuel pump checked. However, if you choose to ignore those signs, your fuel pump may stop functioning completely. As a result, there will be no fuel supplied to the engine.
So, if you have noticed one or more signs mentioned in this article and now your car won’t start, chances are that your fuel pump has failed completely. You can confirm the same by checking the fuel pump fuse in your car’s fuse box. If the fuse is blown, so is your fuel pump.
Conclusion
A damaged or faulty fuel pump, if not fixed in time, can cause other more expensive and complex problems in your car. If you notice any of the signs mentioned in this article, get your fuel pump checked by a professional immediately.