Fuel pumps are known to chip away and lose their efficiency, which makes the car lack power. Automotive systems operate with exacting fuel pressure, typically 40 to 60 psi in most modern vehicles. Essentially, you get insufficient fuel delivered to the engine after a drop in pressure–typically from a malfunctioning Fuel Pump — which translates into low power when accelerating or going up hill. Studies are revealing that even a 10% reduction in fuel flow can result in an engine efficiency drop of up to 15%.
The Fuel Pump is a very – and one of the most important part, maintaining that right ratio between air and fuel for combustion. When there is insufficient pressure, you cannot get torque out of the engine, particularly when highly loaded. Turbocharged engines, for example, are very fuel pressure sensitive — requiring more fuel flow at higher RPMs. Engine misfires or stalls occur here because demands on the fuel system are not being met by the Fuel Pump, resulting in observable power loss.
Almost 82% of consumer reports cite suspect Faulty Fuel Pumps as the cause of lack of power at some point. Fuel Pump defects affected more than 1.8 million vehicles at major brands such as Honda or Toyota, leading to many of them being recalled in 2020. Drivers were placed in dangerous situations after these failures occurred at speeds over 50 mph. One of the most serious examples from these incidents included a car stall during highway overtaking, disabling the driver from accelerating while coming close to crashing.
As noted by Bosch, a leading manufacturer of automotive components, the saying goes: “Reliability comes from consistency”, points out the necessity of high-performance Fuel Pump. Typically a Fuel Pump will last between 100,000 and 150,000 miles; however complex maintenance and dirty gas out the number as low as 50,000 miles. Hesitation when accelerating, sputtering at high speed, and the dreaded difficulty starting the engine are some common early warning signs drivers notice. If left untreated, these symptoms can run up expensive bills due to replacement costs that can range from $400 to as much as $900.
Fuel Pump Fuel Pump failing not only sapping the power, but also making it susceptible to engine damage due to improper mixing of air and fuel. Solving Fuel Pump problems early keeps it up and running at all times, reducing the likelihood of unexpected failure events. Regular maintenance such as checking the fuel pressure and looking for any clogs or leaks can increase the life of a Fuel Pump, ensuring that when called upon, the engine will produce power consistently.