Your vehicle’s fuel pump moves fuel from the gas tank to the engine using pressure that adjusts depending on the engine’s demand. Your engine cannot run without a fuel pump, which is why there are signs your fuel pump is going out before it actually does. United Auto Care has replaced thousands of fuel pumps in our day and you might need a new one if your vehicle does any of the following.
Sputtering Engine
If you put the pedal to the metal and notice your engine sputters, it might not be receiving the increased fuel required for your need for speed. If your engine sputters once you get it up to a high speed, this, too, suggests a problem with the fuel supply from the gas tank to the engine.
Gauge Warnings
Two gauges can indicate you have a fuel pump problem: the temperature and fuel pressure gauges. If your vehicle overheats and stalls consistently, it might be the fuel pump rather than the radiator. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended fuel pressure and then check your fuel pressure gauge for the reading. If it’s off, bring your vehicle in for a fuel-pump inspection.
Power Surges and Loss
Surging or power loss is different from your engine sputtering. Your vehicle should never surge forward unless you press down on the accelerator. In some cases, the surges could be caused by a faulty fuel pump that is sending too much fuel to the engine. Another sign of a failing fuel pump is losing power when climbing a hill or when hauling a heavy load. In this case, the engine isn’t getting enough fuel.
Gas Mileage
If you keep track of your gas mileage and have noticed a significant drop in your miles-per-gallon numbers, the fuel pump might not be regulating your gasoline properly. This said, many different issues with a vehicle can increase its fuel consumption so get a full vehicle inspection to isolate the problem.
Dead Engine
Finally, if you’ve been ignoring any of the signs above, you may get into your car one morning only to find it won’t start for you. When the problem is your fuel pump, your engine will crank and even rev but it won’t catch and run consistently. This is why it’s important to get your vehicle checked for any of the above symptoms before you end up with a dead engine.
We’ve got your fuel pump problems covered at United Auto Care in Flowery Branch, GA. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
