Signs It Is Time To Replace The Fuel Pump In Your Vehicle
All gas-powered automobiles need fuel in order to operate, which makes the fuel pump a very important part. But like all auto parts, the fuel pump in a vehicle will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Ideally, you should replace your fuel pump before it fails completely. Some common signs that your car needs a new fuel pump include:
Engine Sputters
A common early sign of a faulty fuel pump that needs to be replaced is engine sputtering at high speeds. The sputtering and jerking may be intermittent, and after a few sputters and jerks the vehicle may begin to operate normally again as the fuel pressure stabilizes. This type of issue should never be ignored-- if your vehicle's engine sputters or jerks at high speeds it needs to be looked at by a mechanic.
Loss of Power During Acceleration
When you come to a complete stop, the amount of fuel being transported to your car's engine by the fuel pump is cut off. When you resume accelerating, you may feel like your car is stalling when you put your foot on the gas. This is because a faulty fuel pump is not able to push the gas through to the engine at the proper rate.
Sudden Loss of Power
Some activities, such as driving up a steep hill or towing a large load can put extra stress on a car. If the fuel pump in your vehicle is on its last legs, it may not have enough power left to regulate pressure and the flow of fuel to the engine while the vehicle is under stress. In these types of situations, you may find that your car suddenly stalls and loses power. This can be a very dangerous situation, so if occurs you should immediately pull over to the side of the road and have your vehicle towed to an auto repair shop.
Surging
While a bad fuel pump typically causes a loss of power, it is also possible for it to cause the vehicle to surge unexpectedly. This happens because the fuel pump no longer has the ability to draw the right amount of electricity needed to keep the pressure stable and speeds steady. If the pressure in the fuel lines suddenly spikes, the car may surge in acceleration even if you are not applying extra pressure to the gas pedal. If the fuel pump begins surging, it is most likely about to fail and needs to be replaced.