A fuel pump is designed to last about 100,000 miles but many last longer than that. There are signs that your fuel pump is experiencing trouble and those signs are easily noticeable. J&S Auto Repair lists signs of a failing fuel pump below and recommends that you bring in your vehicle at the first symptom. This allows for a quick diagnosis and prevents additional damage to your car, truck, or SUV’s engine.
Engine Sputtering
Your engine will sputter or lag in two instances if your fuel pump is dying. If your engine starts to miss when you’re driving at high speeds, it could be that the fuel pump cannot push enough gasoline through to the engine to support the driving speed. Your engine may also lag or sputter when you’re trying to drive up a steep hill or pulling a heavy load if you’re driving a truck. This, too, is a signal the engine isn’t getting enough fuel and, as such, it will slow down and sputter in response.
Engine Surge
The flip side of this proverbial coin is engine surges. In this case, your engine is getting too much gas for the speed you are driving and it will suddenly speed up and slow down without your help. You may also notice a significant decrease in your vehicle’s gas mileage, and these signs tell you that the fuel pump is pushing too much gasoline through to your engine and you’re burning gasoline as a result. Engine surges are frightening and concerning so have them checked out right away.
Overheating
If your vehicle overheats yet the cooling system is fine it could be that your fuel pump motor is overheating. The heat from the fuel pump will transfer into the engine and because it is excess heat, the coolant will not be able to absorb it. This will cause your engine to overheat. As with engine surges, overheats are not something to ignore. Doing so puts you at risk and damages your engine. When the fuel pump causes the engine to overheat, it usually stalls, too, so keep this in mind.
Finally, if your fuel pump is completely dead, your vehicle will not start because the engine is not getting any gas. Call J&S Auto Repair in Warwick, RI. We service and repair domestic and foreign vehicles of all makes and models and we’d be happy to inspect your fuel pump and replace it if necessary. Call us today.
