Your car might come to a complete halt if the gasoline pump fails. How can you spot a malfunctioning fuel pump? It can be difficult to start, or the engine might surge, splutter, or stall. However, replacing a damaged gasoline pump is the recommended course of action.
To prevent getting stuck on the road and safely drive to the closest repair that can fix or replace your fuel pump, we will show you how to start a vehicle with a faulty fuel pump!
What Does A Fuel Pump Do?
For combustion, the engine in your car needs a steady supply of fuel and air. Additionally, the fuel pump guarantees proper fuel delivery.
How does it happen? The fuel pump forces the gasoline to flow under high pressure, which builds pressure in the system. The crankshaft pulley or camshaft timing belt drives the pump. Fuel pumps come in a variety of varieties, and each one has a unique mechanism.
How Can I Tell If My Car’s Fuel Pump Is Defective?
According to several warning indicators, your gasoline pump will enter failure mode. Check the fuel system for issues if your automobile is difficult to start, struggles to maintain power, runs rough, or stalls out while you are driving.
Here are 13 typical signs of a failing fuel pump:
1. The car starts to crank, but not right away
This indicates that the car’s computer has opted not to let you start because it believes the gas tank’s pressure is insufficient for the vehicle to function. This erroneous warning might also come from a blocked filter.
Before replacing anything else, check under the hood for low or no gas first, then examine the gas filter. A traditional manual gas shut-off valve’s bulb may be squeezed to test if it will let gasoline through. If it does, you may add gas and attempt to start the vehicle once again.
As you crank the engine, depress the gas pedal a few times to let the engine obtain more gas, and then attempt to start it. (Note: Backfiring during this procedure is typical and will not harm anything.)
2. The car stops or sputters while accelerating
This indicates that the computer in your automobile has determined that not enough air is present in the system to enable adequate combustion. A blocked fuel filter or sediment accumulation at the bottom of your gas tank that prevents appropriate flow might be to blame.
This may be avoided by keeping a check on factors like tire pressure, tread depth, and the quality of your wiper blades.
3. When accelerating, the car stutters or bucks
This indicates that the vehicle’s engine is struggling to generate adequate power since its gas tank is low. Your ignition system can also be failing.
4. Hard starts/won’t start
Even after you have followed the instructions in item 1 above, a fuel pump failure will leave you stranded and unable to start your car.
If this occurs, first check for electrical or battery issues. Frequently, a dead cell in your battery can also destroy your gasoline pump. Try priming the tank if a gas station is nearby by depressing the gas pedal three times to the floor.
5. The car sputters at idle
Low fuel pressure can make your car sputter or stop if you attempt to sit still.
The fact that it generally occurs at moderate speeds (while idling, for example), yet may be brought on by anything that obstructs the appropriate flow of gas into the engine, makes this issue the simplest to conceal. This will undoubtedly occur due to a blocked filter, and hard starts during item 4 above may also occur.
6. Engine power loss
Before changing any other system parts, look for a damaged pump if your automobile is not producing adequate power under regular driving conditions.
The computer includes methods for determining the ideal air/fuel mixture, so it will lower power output if it determines that neither is present. There is a strong likelihood that your fuel pump is malfunctioning if you attempt to accelerate from a standstill, and the automobile seems to have lost half its horsepower all of a sudden.
7. Poor gas mileage
How much gasoline is supplied to your engine by the system due to a faulty pump might vary. Consequently, this may result in substantially decreased mileage or increased gas consumption owing to inadequate atomization at faster speeds (ex: you can hear the engine working harder).
8. Fuel leakage
Once you have parked on flat ground, keep an eye out for any leaking from below the car. Look inside the gas cap (and the area around the gasket), beneath the vehicle close to where the fuel line joins, and for any obvious wet areas or pools of gas that were not burnt on your last journey.
Before you run out of gas, call a qualified technician to inspect your pump if you discover any. If the automobile is operating while emitting fumes, someone might suffer catastrophic injuries!
9. When starting from a stop, the car bucks
Your throttle position sensor may malfunction if you are experiencing problems merging onto a busy route.
This component determines how much pressure your computer exerts by reading inputs from your pedal. These issues may be brought on by a faulty TP sensor, which is utilized for more than only performance regulation: Additionally, throttle sensors are used to regulate cruise control features and calculate idle speed.
10. Engine dies when idling
If your car does not keep running after coming to a full stop, there can be an issue with the ignition switch and the throttle position sensor. An open or short might result from this combination, which raises resistance and heat and kills the motor.
Check to see if it will still run if you keep the pedal down halfway when cranking (or even all the way, sometimes). If not, then this is unquestionably one of your issues.
11. When using cruise control, your car shakes
Nothing compares to feeling on a boat when you step on the gas! When using cruise control, your car can shake if your throttle position sensor is not working properly. If this occurs, do not disregard any motor mount sounds since both components are interdependent: You can have many problematic areas!
12. There’s a gas smell inside the car
Here’s a major downer to handle: While driving, if you begin to detect a strong gas odor around your feet, there may be a more serious issue at hand. If the problem has not been remedied yet, check it out as soon as possible since the source is either from your fuel tank area or an external leak.
13. You can hear your pump working under the hood
This often occurs just when your automobile is beginning and should not continue for more than just a few seconds. Some cars’ pumps may turn on automatically for a few minutes after turning off to prime the system for another drive, while others may operate until they are manually turned off. In any case, listen to these sounds before considering investing in components.
Quick Fixes For Starting A Car With A Bad Pump
Let us look at some simple solutions in case you end yourself stuck on the side of the road now that we understand how to spot a malfunctioning fuel pump.
Use a vacuum gauge to enhance the fuel pump’s suction if your automobile has excellent spark and compression. More pressure will be produced. As a result, starting the engine.
Applying external pressure is another method for getting the pump to push fuel toward the engine. You may do this by leaning a large rock or another object on the gas tank. The theory is that more pressure will aid in overcoming the deficit brought on by a malfunctioning fuel pump.
And lastly, do not keep driving if your automobile is overheated! Let it cool down. The pump will function properly after the vehicle has cooled down and is no longer hot, so try starting it again.
Remember that they are merely short-term solutions. Bring your automobile to a mechanic for a fuel pump replacement if you intend to drive it for a long period.
How Should I Use A Fuel Pressure Gauge?
It will be simpler to test the pump if you have a fuel pressure gauge.
The fuel pressure gauge’s hose should be connected to the Schrader valve on top of the engine, which is directly connected to the gas tank. You can get an accurate reading by measuring the PSI (pounds per square inch) of gasoline going into and out of the system.
DIY Steps For Changing/Replacing A Fuel Pump
Using this technique, changing a defective fuel pump for most autos should not take more than 30 minutes! Additionally, the automobile will not sustain any harm if done properly. How to repair or change a gasoline pump:
Locate your gas tank and undo any bolts or clips, keeping it in place before attempting to remove it.
Next, disengage any electrical connections or fuel lines that might facilitate the old one’s removal.
The clips or screws keeping your previous fuel pump in place should be removed using a flathead screwdriver.
How can I stop this from occurring once more? How can I stop it from occurring once more? How is it possible to prevent becoming lost by the side of the road?
Take your car to a technician if you see any issues that resemble indicators of damaged gasoline pumps so they can identify the issue, diagnose it, and provide potential fixes.
How much external pressure be used to assist the fuel pump in supplying fuel?
With a straight screwdriver, remove the gasoline filter’s screw and then wrap it in fabric to protect it from becoming damaged when you later put it back on. Pump your air mattress pump three or four times into the gasoline line coming from the gas tank to get the fuel to fill up.
Then, provide 3 or 4 extra pumps by connecting a second hose from your air mattress pump to a filter hole.
Before removing the ends from one another or withdrawing the straight screwdriver, make sure you release all the extra pressure built up in both ends.
Then, replace the screw in its original location using a screwdriver and tighten it. Then, you may try to start your automobile to see whether it starts and operates without any issues.
Make sure to replace the faulty fuel pump
You must swap out the gasoline pump as soon as possible to prevent additional harm to the vehicle. A defective pump may have several adverse impacts, including poor fuel efficiency, power loss, vehicle overheating, or even engine failure.
Visit an experienced mechanic immediately if you are unsure how to repair a gasoline pump!
Increase the fuel pump’s lifetime (and vehicle)
Using high-quality gasoline is the simplest approach to extending the life of your automobile. Cheap fuel with contaminants may harm the pump, which can cause damage to the engine.
Never forget to replace your fuel filter! Your car is shielded by filters, which also provide a long period of trouble-free operation! Do not attempt to drive on empty. Always maintain at least a quarter of your tank full of petrol since it helps the fuel pump stay cool.
Take these simple precautions and drive carelessly for a very long time since prevention is always less expensive than treatment!
FAQs
What Is A Fuel Filter?
Before the gas reaches the engine, a fuel filter cleans the gas of impurities. Filters come in various forms, from highly effective metal mesh filters to less effective paper-based filters.
The kind of filter your car uses should be specified in the owner’s handbook so you can get a compatible replacement. Inquire about specific companies that provide high-quality goods in your region from someone who is also knowledgeable about vehicles. This step is not strictly essential since it is usually rather clear, but it is still a good idea.
What Differentiates a Fuel Pump from a Fuel Filter?
While gasoline filters are used to filter the gas, fuel pumps are utilized to move fuel from the tank to the engine. The pumps would not function properly if there were an issue with the fuel filters.
It is generally best to make both changes at once. If you have already completed one, be sure to complete the other; otherwise, future issues will just worsen. Change them one at a time if altering just one does not provide any effects. Your budget estimation will determine this.
What Happens If I Do Not Replace My Fuel Filter?
Failure to change your gasoline filter might result in serious issues for your vehicle. First of all, if you do not change this part, rust and grime will build up within your car. This may block the tank, jam the gasoline injectors, and ruin your prized engine! You do not want it to happen, I agree.
Can I change the fuel filter on my own?
You can undoubtedly do the task alone. Changing gasoline filters is not a very difficult process. It is simple to purchase it online or at an auto parts shop nearby. But be sure the one you are purchasing adheres to the requirements set out by your car manufacturer. Be cautious at this point since if they do not match, it can eventually destroy your fuel pump system by entirely blocking it.
How often should a fuel filter be changed?
Here are some suggestions for you since this query is typical in our community. Once again, there is no need to purchase a new filter immediately if the old one is not clogged up (as shown by your automobile causing you problems). Simply wash the old one with water and let it dry. If you are in excellent shape, you could use the filter for another 20,000 miles.
Other Suggestions
Changing your car’s gasoline filter is usually preferable before it becomes necessary. Keep this in mind since you will save time and money! Make sure your automobile is compatible with the new gasoline filters!
Additionally, check for tiny bits on the sidewalls of a paper-based gasoline filter that might fall free and block your fuel injectors (read the description carefully to ensure).