Run Out Of Fuel Again? Your Fuel Pump May Be Defective

Does it seem like you’re running out of fuel more often than you did? Are you afraid that you’ll end up running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere without you noticing it? You may have a bad or failing fuel pump.

A failing fuel pump is a common problem when it comes to your fuel system. When this happens, the engine cannot receive fuel efficiently and cause different problems with the car’s performance. Low gas mileage is just one of the signs that your fuel pump may be defective. Here are other signs that you should also watch out for.

Signs Of A Defective Fuel Pump

Whining Noise

One of the most obvious signs that you could notice is the loud whining sound that is produced from the fuel tank. When fuel pumps are properly functioning, they may produce a sound but it will only be a quiet hum. However, defective fuel pumps may produce louder whining sounds. Apart from a defective pump, the whining sound could also be caused by lack of fuel or contaminated fuel.

Sputtering Engine

Another sign that your car could have a defective fuel pump is a sputtering engine. This is most observable when you are running at higher speeds. Observe your car when you are at a constant high speed. If it suddenly sputters, it could mean that the fuel pump doesn’t provide constant fuel for the engine.

Loss Of Power Uphill

Observe your vehicle when you are going uphill or when you pack a heavy load. If the engine loses power while you are accelerating in these scenarios, it could be due to a defective fuel pump. The engine loses power because the demand for fuel is not met by the fuel pump.

Low Gas Mileage

The reason why you could observe lower gas mileage when there is a defective fuel pump is because there could be a valve that doesn’t open. When this happens, there is more fuel pumped into the engine system. The excess fuel is just wasted because it is not used or stored. That is why it seems you run out of fuel often or quicker than you previously did.

Engine Is Difficult To Start

When the ignition is turned, the fuel pump also runs. However, when it is defective, it may not pump fuel efficiently, which is why it is more difficult for the car to start. You could be doing more cranks than usual to start the vehicle.

Sometimes, if the defect is serious, the car may not start at all. This just shows that the fuel pump completely failed. Although the engine still cranks, it just won’t start because there is no available fuel.

Car Surging

Car surging may be scary and dangerous too. It feels like the gas pedal is used even if you didn’t step on it. The occurrence isn’t constant and will occur randomly. If you observe this happen, you have to have your fuel pump checked before you completely lose control of the vehicle.

Car Stalling

There are different causes of a car stalling. However, if your car happens to stall at the same time that high temperatures are shown on its thermometer, it could be a problem with the fuel pump motor. Moreover, when the stalling continues as the temperature rises, there could be a need to replace the fuel pump because it is already deteriorating.

What To Do When You Observe These Signs?

When you observe any of the signs, you should go to your trusted mechanic to have your fuel system checked. They will be able to confirm if your fuel pump is really defective or not. They will also be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced or if there are parts that only need to be repaired.

Don’t wait for a car accident to happen. When our car runs out of fuel, it may also be due to other causes like a defective fuel pump. There can be a more serious problem so you should look out for the signs above.

There can be other causes why you run out of fuel more often than you’d expect. If you unexpectedly run out of fuel and find yourself stranded in the Raleigh area in North Carolina, Straight-Away Towing Service can respond quickly and deliver you the fuel you need.

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