If you drive an automobile that has 100,000 miles on it or more and it has been difficult to get it started, it’s possible that your fuel pump is going out. If you cannot get the vehicle started at all, the fuel pump may be dead. The average lifespan of a fuel pump is 100,000 miles, so if yours is older than that, it will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. RI Automotive can take care of this. Aside from a dead engine, here are other signs that your fuel pump is going out.
Low Fuel Pressure
Low fuel pressure is directly related to the fuel pump. A malfunctioning fuel pump cannot produce the fuel pressure the engine needs to operate efficiently. Unfortunately, the fuel pressure will not be restored until you replace the faulty fuel pump. You can measure your fuel pressure yourself or we can do it for you, whichever you prefer.
Overheating Engine
A dying fuel pump can also overheat your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine. If the fuel pump motor gets too hot, the excess heat seeps into the engine and causes it to overheat, as well. As with the low fuel pressure, your engine will continue to overheat until you replace the fuel pump. It isn’t safe to drive your automobile if the engine is overheating.
Sputtering Engine
Another sign that your fuel pump is going out is if your engine sputters while you are driving. This is particularly noticeable when you are driving at higher speeds. The faster you go the more fuel the engine needs to maintain the speed. If the fuel pump is unable to provide the necessary fuel, your engine will sputter and struggle to run.
Stress Power Loss
The same is true when the engine is under stress. Examples of stress include driving up steep inclines and towing trailers. If your automobile’s engine loses power under these conditions, this is an indication that the fuel pump is going bad and needs to be replaced.
Surging Engine
In rare cases, the fuel pump might also cause the engine to surge, which means it picks up speed unexpectedly. In this case, the fuel pump may be pushing too much gasoline or diesel fuel through to the engine, and, as a consequence, the engine is burning away the excess fuel.
Poor Fuel Efficiency
Finally, all of these things can cause a significant reduction in your vehicle’s fuel economy. If you are heading to the gas station more often than normal, you may be dealing with a faulty fuel pump that needs to be replaced.
Call RI Automotive in Tampa, FL, today if your vehicle is experiencing any of the symptoms discussed above.
