How Can You Tell If Your Fuel Pump Requires Repair? Spotting the symptoms of a failing fuel pump early saves you money on repairs and keeps the engine running smoothly. Fuel pumps can last anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 miles typically but just as general maintenance habits and operating conditions vary; so does the lifetime of a fuel pump. There are some signs that servicing may be needed.
A worn pump often causes difficulty starting the engine. A pump that is failing will not be able to provide the engine with enough fuel pressure to work, especially during ignition. As per an Automotive Engineering Review study, 20% of vehicles with starting problems had fuel pumps that were no longer working properly. Confirming that the pump is delivering fuel in the manufacturer’s specified range — usually between 30 and 80 psi — is easily done with a fuel pressure gauge, which costs about $20 to $60.
A bad pump will also not deliver the fuel quickly enough, resulting in poor throttle response, hesitation, or stalling during acceleration. These symptoms happen whenever the pump stops providing consistent pressure, affecting the air-fuel ratio. Low pressure due to clogging or internal wear makes the engine do work ineffectively, which decreases the fuel economy up to 10%.
Strange sounds coming from the fuel tank, eg whining or grinding, are indicators the pump has internal damage. Healthy pumps hum at a steady pitch. Unusual sounds are usually the product of contaminated fuel or wear on the engine’s internal parts, such as the motor or impeller.
Contamination in the fuel system accelerates wear of the pumps. Debris, water or degraded fuel that gets into the system degrades efficiency and elevates the possibility of a failure. Changing the fuel filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles reduces the risk of contamination. Filters run $15 to $50—and the extra straining on the fuel system.
Pump performance is also affected by intermittent operation or drops in voltage. The pump also should receive the proper 12 to 14 volts: Your can test this with a multimeter at the pump’s terminals. Voltage irregularities are symptoms of trouble in connectors, wires, or the fuel pump relay, which costs $10 to $40 to replace.
“As per ChrisFix, a leading automotive expert, saying service your car Fuel Pump on time to avoid unforeseen breakdowns and maintain engine reliability.” Such routine inspections — pressure testing, electrical diagnostics — catch problems before they lead to catastrophic failure and thus prolong the pump’s life.
It offers high-quality diagnostic tools and replacement parts. Proper fuel system maintenance and servicing ensure that your fuel system is operating optimally and that your vehicle is running at peak performance.