The fuel pump can make the engine pick up speed by itself if the pump is malfunctioning. A faulty fuel pump might release extra fuel into the engine. JA Motors advises that when this happens, the engine will surge. This is just one sign that your fuel pump is going bad. Here are other signs of a malfunctioning fuel pump that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Strange Power Loss
More likely, your engine will lose power if the fuel pump is going bad. Specifically, your engine will struggle to run when it is operating under stressful conditions such as steep mountain driving. It will also sputter and lose power when you are driving faster on highways.
Bad Gas Mileage
Either condition will cause your engine to burn more fuel. This can be frustrating because your fuel economy will tank – no pun intended. The poor fuel economy will get worse as the fuel pump nears the end of its life, which is usually around 100,000 miles or more.
Overheating/Stalling
Your engine may also get too hot and then stall due to the overheating. This can be a sign that the fuel pump motor is overheating and sending the heat into the engine. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, it may be unable to draw enough fuel from the tank to keep the motor cool.
Pressure Problems
If you believe that your fuel pump is going bad, you can check the fuel pressure for confirmation. A dying fuel pump will be unable to generate the recommended fuel pressure in your owner’s manual. Just pick up a pressure gauge to test the pressure rating.
Whining in the Tank
The fuel pump may also make sounds in the fuel tank that you can hear. The most common sound is whining. This is a sign that the fuel pump is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. Whining noises may be a precursor to the other problems listed in this post.
Hard Starts/No Starts
Finally, it will be hard to get your car, truck, or C/SUV started if the fuel pump is dying. At first, you may just have problems getting the car started; eventually, the engine will be completely fuel-starved and refuse to start. You definitely need a new fuel pump at this point.
JA Motors in Peachtree City, GA, can help, so call us today to schedule a service appointment. We are your one-stop shop for all of your automotive service and repair needs.
