Why Replace a Fuel Pump?

A fuel pump is an important component for all gas-powered vehicles. As you may know, it's responsible for suctioning gas out of the tank and into the injectors. From there, the fuel is sprayed into the engine's combustion chamber where it's burned with air. Fuel pumps, unfortunately, can fail. How do you know if your vehicle's fuel pump needs replacing exactly?

#1) Poor Acceleration

Your vehicle may struggle to accelerate if the fuel pump is bad. Acceleration requires gas. When you press the gas pedal, the fuel pump will suction gas from the tank and feed it into the injectors. A bad fuel pump means gas won't reach the injectors, thereby starving your engine and causing poor acceleration.

#2) Difficult to Start

If your vehicle doesn't start after turning the keys in the ignition several times, you may need to replace the fuel pump. Many drivers automatically assume their battery is bad their vehicle doesn't start. While a bad battery is often the culprit, you can't ignore the possibility of a bad fuel pump. When the fuel pump fails, your engine may receive little or no gas, in which case you'll have trouble starting it.

#3) Stalling 

A bad fuel pump can cause your vehicle to stall. For the engine to run, it needs gas. Even if you are idling at a red light, your engine still needs gas. With a bad fuel pump, your engine may not receive enough gas to continue running, in which case it will stall. Stalling can have other causes, but if your vehicle constantly stalls, you should consider checking out the fuel pump.

#4) Overheating Engine

You might be surprised to learn that a bad fuel pump can cause your engine to overheat. A bad fuel pump can strain your engine, resulting in higher temperatures. If it's clogged, for example, your engine will have to work harder to power your vehicle. The harder it works, the hotter your engine will become. If the temperature gets too high, your vehicle may overheat and enter "safety mode" to protect against further damage.

#5) Whining Noise

Another sign of a bad fuel pump is a whining noise. Fuel pumps are designed to operate while producing little or no noise. When your vehicle is running, you shouldn't be able to hear the fuel pump. A bad fuel pump, however, may create a distinct noise, such as a whining noise. Alternatively, you may hear a humming noise if the fuel pump is bad.