Bring your vehicle into Benton Road Auto Repair at the first signs of fuel pump trouble. How can you tell if you’re having fuel pump problems? Don’t worry, your car, truck, crossover, or SUV will make certain you know. Because of what the pump does, trouble shows up in your engine. Keep reading to learn the symptoms of a failing pump and why it’s important to get your vehicle in for service right away.
Fuel Pump Purpose
As its name suggests, the fuel pump pumps fuel into your engine. Using vacuum pressure, the pump draws fuel from your gas tank and sends it to the engine’s ignition system. This starts your vehicle and also keeps it running until you turn it off. If the engine doesn’t get the right amount of gasoline, it will respond. Its response depends on whether it has too much gas or not enough in it.
Too Much Gas
If the failing pump is sending too much gasoline into your engine, your vehicle will surge. You might keep your pressure on the accelerator the same or you may have even set the cruise control, yet, your engine suddenly surges, increasing vehicle speed and driving it forward. You didn’t increase the demand for gas, so what happened? It could be that the pump pushed more than gas necessary through.
This extra gasoline in the engine can affect your vehicle’s gas mileage. If your engine is getting too much gas consistently, you might not notice engine surges but you will notice it at the pump. Think about how often you fill up weekly and if you’ve noticed you’re heading to the gas station a day or two earlier without any extra driving, your fuel pump could be affecting your gas mileage and fuel economy.
Too Little Gas
If the fuel pump isn’t sending enough fuel to your engine you will notice a loss in your engine’s performance. For example, you may be speeding along the highway and your engine might sputter at the increased speed because it isn’t getting enough fuel to maintain that speed. You might also notice it sputters or your automobile lags when you head up a hill or if you’re towing a heavy load.
Fuel Pump Motor Failure
Your vehicle’s engine may overheat and stall if your fuel pump motor is failing. Once the motor begins to fail, which happens as your vehicle ages, it’s time to replace the pump. You don’t want to drive your vehicle when it’s running too hot, and in the case of the pump motor, your automobile won’t allow you to because it will stall. Let a professional mechanic determine the overheating cause.
Finally, your car, truck, crossover, or SUV won’t start at all if your pump is dead. Benton Road Auto Repair in Bossier City, LA, can inspect and replace your fuel pump.
