The fuel pump is located in the gas tank and it can start to whine when it is going out. It may also groan. This is just one sign that it’s time to replace the fuel pump. We are going to list the other signs below. It’s best to address this problem at the first indication of trouble to avoid ending up with a dead engine.
Problems With the Engine’s Performance
As its name suggests, the fuel pump is a pump that pulls the fuel out of the tank. Once it has the fuel, it pushes it through to the engine so it can be used in the combustion chamber. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, it may not be able to pull enough fuel out of the tank to support driving at high speeds or driving under stressful conditions. Consequently, your engine will lag under these conditions. In addition, the fuel pump can also draw too much fuel out of the tank when it is malfunctioning, and this will cause your engine to surge and pick up speed.
Noticeable Reduction in Fuel Efficiency
Unfortunately, whether the engine is lagging or surging, you will notice a reduction in your fuel efficiency until you have the fuel pump replaced. The engine will use more fuel when it struggles to produce power, and it will burn away the excess fuel if the fuel pump releases too much fuel into the engine. This will decrease your gas mileage.
Tested Reduction in Fuel Pressure
If you are suspicious that your fuel pump could be going bad, we recommend that you test the fuel pressure to see if it is under the normal range. If you prefer, we can test the fuel pressure here at our shop. If the fuel pressure is low, the fuel pump is going bad.
An Engine That Overheats Constantly
If you have noticed that your engine is running hotter than normal lately, it’s possible that the excess heat is being caused by the faulty fuel pump. The fuel pump draws fuel through the motor to keep it cool. If the fuel pump motor gets too hot, it will send this excess heat to your engine.
Difficulties Starting the Engine
Finally, as we mentioned in the introduction to this blog post, if the fuel pump dies completely, you will not be able to get your engine started. As such, if you are having problems starting the engine, bring your vehicle to our shop so we can check the fuel pump.
We are the only shop you need for your automotive services and repairs. Call us today.
