Basic Aspects of Fuel Pump Maintenance in the Car

The engine generates the mechanical energy required to move a vehicle through the internal combustion process. The engine needs a continuous supply of fuel to run efficiently. Disruption of the fuel supply to the internal combustion chamber might bring down the vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Maintenance is the key to prevent such kinds of malfunctions and ensure smoother engine performance.

The fuel pump plays a crucial role in the performance of the vehicle as it helps to pump the fuel from the fuel tank to the internal combustion chamber through the carburetor or fuel injectors. The fuel pump is of two different types based on the working principle.

• Mechanical fuel pump: It uses the power of the engine in order to pump the fuel from the gas tank to the combustion chamber.
• Electrical fuel pump: It uses positive electrical pressure in the fuel line to pump pressurized fuel to the combustion chamber.

Signs of a bad fuel pump:

A fuel pump needs regular maintenance irrespective of its working principle. Any symptom which indicates that the fuel pump has some sort of mechanical malfunctions should not be ignored. The defective fuel pump should be repaired immediately to ensure continuous fuel supply to the internal combustion chamber.

Starting issues:

It is one of the most common signs associated with a defective fuel pump. A fuel pump weakens over time due to the heavy workloads. A weak fuel pump could not pump fuel required by the engine which might cause starting issues in the car. Weak or worn out fuel pumps should be replaced after a certain time interval to ensure a continuous supply of the fuel to the combustion chamber of the engine. Besides, a completely failed fuel pump could not supply the required amount of fuel to the engine due to which the engine might not start at all.

Low fuel efficiency:

Driving a vehicle with a defective fuel pump might affect the gas mileage of the car. A defective fuel pump pours more fuel to the combustion chamber than the required amount. Excess amount of fuel in the combustion chamber doesn't generate more power but cause emission problems in the car. Thus, the reason behind the appearance of such warning signs should be identified and repaired immediately to improve the gas mileage in the car.

Whining noise from the fuel tank:

The appearance of the whining noise from the gas tank clearly indicates that the fuel pump has some sort of malfunctions which should not be ignored. Neglecting the appearance of the whining noise from the gas tank might bring down the vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Thus, the condition of the fuel pump should be inspected regularly and warning signs which indicate that the fuel pump has deformities should not be ignored.

Sputtering sound from the engine:

It clearly indicates that the fuel pump has some defects which need to be repaired immediately. Disruption of the fuel supply to the engine or lack of an adequate amount of fuel in the combustion chamber is solely responsible for the appearance of such signs. Neglecting such signs might have catastrophic outcomes. Thus, the reasons for the appearance of such warning signs should be identified and repaired immediately.

Loss of engine power:

The stressed engine needs more power to work efficiently. However, a defective fuel pump could not pump the required amount of fuel to the internal combustion chamber of the engine and thus could affect the power generation. The clogged fuel pump is solely responsible for the power reduction of the engine. Thus, any signs which indicate that the fuel pump has defects should not be ignored.

Engine surging:

The fuel pump ensures a continuous supply of a computed amount of fuel to the internal combustion chamber. However, the defective valve in the fuel pump could not regulate the quantity of the fuel effectively which could trigger engine surging.

Bottom line

The fuel pump is one of the most neglected components in the car. However, it plays a key role in the performance of the vehicle and is considered as the heart of the vehicle. Thus, it needs special attention to run efficiently without any major mechanical malfunctions in the car. Regular maintenance is the key to keep the fuel pump in working order. Any signs which indicate that the fuel pump has some sort of malfunctions should not be ignored. Such defects should be repaired immediately to prevent any major mechanical failure in the car.

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