A faulty fuel pump can cause serious damage to the performance of an engine by interrupting the normal flow of fuel to an engine. The fuel pump is responsible for delivering to the engine the correct amount of fuel, at the correct pressure usually between 30 and 60 PSI (pounds per square inch). When the fuel pump fails, fuel either flows erratically or under-inadequate pressure, and this leads to a variety of the engine’s performance issues. In fact, according to automotive repair data, nearly 10% of all engine performance problems are linked to fuel pump malfunctions.
One of the most noticeable effects of a faulty fuel pump is engine stalling. This can occur because the pump isn’t providing a consistent fuel supply, causing the engine to lose power and shut off unexpectedly. It’s like this: for the car going on the drive, perhaps power loss does occur whereby the pump lacks generating the power required to effect proper burning of fuel, as confirmed by the research conducted at NADA indicating that fuel pumps operating under 50% capacity from their usual output are in greater danger than other cars without it by approximately 35%, which mostly relates to various stalling or surging difficulties.
Other problems related to a faulty fuel pump are hesitation or poor acceleration. Drivers usually experience slow or lagging responses while accelerating. If the pump does not provide the quantity required and in continuous form, the engine is not able to build up the necessary power to accelerate. This is often well evinced when the drive has to go uphill or try merging into a fast-flowing stream of traffic on a highway. According to a study done by the Car Care Council, a vehicle with a malfunctioning fuel pump has a 45% higher chance of developing acceleration problems than a fully functional fuel pump.
Poor fuel economy is also one of the many side effects of a faulty fuel pump. Due to the inconsistent supply of fuel, the engine may burn more fuel than it actually needs, thus leading to a noticeable decrease in MPG. Recent research conducted by the American Automobile Association estimated that a faulty fuel pump could decrease fuel efficiency up to 25%. With poor fuel economy, that translates into money out of your pocket at the pump. A clogged fuel pump means either too much or too little fuel reaches the engine, each option compromising the combustion process.
In extreme cases, a severely compromised fuel pump may even cause engine misfires. Without sufficient fuel reaching the cylinders for proper combustion, the result is incomplete combustion, which causes misfires; it may even lead to permanent engine damage. Most fuel pumps tend to last between 100,000 and 150,000 miles, but once they start to fail, their efficiency in supplying fuel drops off very rapidly.
The cost of replacing a failing fuel pump is from $400 to $900, depending on the vehicle model and labor fees. This amount pales in comparison to the potential damage the malfunctioning fuel pump can cost to other parts of the engine. Every car owner should have routine inspections of the fuel pumps for proper functioning of the engines. For example, the replacement of a faulty Fuel Pump component before it causes serious damage can give more life to the vehicle and make driving smoother.