7 Common Signs of a Damaged Fuel Pump

You might think that the engine is the most important component of a vehicle, but if there's no fuel pump to do its work, then your engine's practically useless.

This often underappreciated car part is the one that supplies the needed fuel to power your car engine. Without it, even your 1,700-hp, twin-turbo V8 that can go from 0 to 400 kph in less than 30 seconds is as good as dead. You might as well just walk to the gas station to use their restroom.

Solving the problem early on

So as you can see, the fuel pump is an extremely valuable part of a vehicle. And smart drivers (like you) should familiarize yourself with those red flags that indicate a damaged fuel pump. That way, you can nip the problem at its early stages so you don't pay a lot on repairs.

Here are some things you need to watch out for:

Your car's engine sputters when driving at high speeds.

Your fuel pump might be defective if your engine sputters when you speed up your vehicle and then goes back to normal when you slow down. This is because at high speeds, the pump is straining to supply a constant stream of fuel to the engine at the right pressure.

Your vehicle overheats.

Is your car's temperature rising while it stalls at the same time? See if you can get it to move; if not, then your fuel pump might be damaged.

Your car's fuel pressure gauge indication is low.

The fuel pressure gauge indicates how much fuel is getting used by the engine. Check your owner's manual to see the correct pressure when the pump is operating correctly--if the numbers are low, then it's a sign your fuel pump might be defective.

Your car loses power during exerted effort.

A car exerts a lot of effort in situations where it climbs steep hills or haul in heavy cargo. This can stress out an already weakened fuel pump as it fails to keep up with the car's fuel demands. The car loses power as a result.

Your vehicle surges.

A car surges when your car suddenly jerks forward (like the gas pedal has been stepped on hard at short intervals) even while your car is moving at a consistent speed. This happens due to the erratic resistance caused by the fuel pump motor.

Your car loses gas mileage.

Get to know your vehicle--is it a gas sipper or a gas hoarder? Fuel pumps have relief valves--and those that are damaged don't open, and allow excess fuel to flow into the car's engine system. The result: fuel waste.

Your engine's not starting.

This is the final indicator of a bad fuel pump--if you ignore the warning signs listed above. Once the fuel pump completely breaks down, fuel cannot reach the engine upon ignition.

The fuel pump plays a significant role in your engine system. Make sure to give it enough attention so your car remains in good shape for a long time.