Like its name would suggest, your engine’s fuel pump works to move fuel from the gas tank to the engine. This makes it an integral part of the operation of your vehicle, and any sort of damage or mechanical malfunction in the pump can have a huge effect on your car.
Understanding the warning signs associated with a failing fuel pump can help you notice the problem early. Once you notice these symptoms of a flawed fuel pump, ask a mechanic to inspect and replace this car component before it fails completely or causes more serious issues under the hood.
1. Engine Stuttering
One of the clearest indications that your vehicle’s fuel pump isn’t working as it should is engine jolts and stutters while you drive at a steady speed.
This stuttering occurs when the pump struggles to provide an adequate amount of fuel to your engine, causing the engine to have difficulty maintaining a certain speed. This fuel pump problem is extremely dangerous because it affects the amount of control that you have over your vehicle. Take your car to a mechanic as quickly as possible.
2. Engine Surges
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may also experience sudden surges of speed while driving if your fuel pump supplies too much fuel to the engine. Like the problem discussed in the previous section, unexpected engine revving can be dangerous. A fuel pump that puts out too much fuel can even flood your engine and cause your vehicle to stall out while on the road.
Keep in mind that it is possible for your engine to experience both engine sputtering and surging with a bad fuel pump.
3. Reduced Fuel Efficiency
An improperly functioning fuel pump can have a severe effect on your vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency. Since inadequate or excessive amounts of fuel are being fed to the engine, it will not operate at peak efficiency.
Over time, your engine will burn more fuel than it needs to as it tries to operate the way it’s designed to run. If you notice a sudden decrease in your vehicle’s mileage with little to no change in your driving habits, the fuel pump could be to blame.
Fixing this problem early is a good idea because the costs of more frequent gas tank fill-ups will quickly outpace the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged fuel pump.
4. High-Pitched Noises
Another good indication that there is something wrong with your engine’s fuel pump is a high-pitched whine or squealing coming from the engine while you are driving.
This noise likely indicates excessive wear to components within the fuel pump. These screeches will typically precede a more serious mechanical failure, so act now to have an expert assess your vehicle. Having a mechanic replace your fuel pump can prevent further issues from happening down the road.
5. Engine Won’t Start
Finally, perhaps the clearest warning sign that your fuel pump is no longer working properly is that you have issues starting your engine. A damaged fuel pump that cannot move enough fuel to the engine will result in an engine that will have to be cranked excessively before it starts.
If your fuel pump has failed, your engine will not start at all, and you’ll be left stranded. However, there are a wide range of reasons why a car may not start, so your fuel pump is probably to blame only if you noticed any of the above issues with your vehicle before it completely failed to start.
For any questions that you may have about your vehicle’s fuel pump, feel free to contact White’s Automotive Center. Our team of highly trained mechanics will be more than happy to address any concerns that you may have about your fuel pump or any other automotive issues you may be experiencing.
