But in more extreme cases it can cause misfiring or backfiring and could cause the engine management warning light to activate. This can be manifested by more sluggish performance or difficulty in starting the engine. Poor quality fuel Sometimes it isn’t just your vehicle’s fuel system that can be at fault, as putting poor quality fuel into your tank can have adverse effects on the performance. If your vehicle hasn’t been serviced thoroughly in some time, it is worth adding the fuel filter to the list of serviceable items such as the air filter and oil filter. The good news is that, for many models, the fuel filter can be relatively easy and quick to replace. You may also find that it's hard to get the engine started. In more extreme cases you may find that the engine repeatedly stalls or struggles to maintain its idle. In some modern cars it might not be very easy to inspect the fuel filter, but some signs can indicate that something isn’t right with it.If you experience a lack of responsiveness from the engine or a hesitation when you apply the throttle it could be caused by the filter restricting the correct amount of fuel reaching the injection system. The very purpose of this usually small part is to prevent any contaminants from getting into the fuel injectors, which in turn could affect the smooth running of your engine or at the worst damage it. Need to replace your fuel pump? Shop now at - Fuel Pumpsįuel filter One other potential weak link in the chain can be the fuel filter.
If the pump isn’t getting the right current flow through a poor grounding or interference, then its operation will be affected, but pinpointing these may not be entirely straightforward. Loose or corroded connections can also be a cause of intermittent or faulty fuel pumps. Another reason could be a faulty relay that is causing it not to function correctly. Keeping fuel levels lower for extended periods of time can lead to parts of the pump drying out and breaking and/or cause it to overheat and potentially fail.If the fuel pump isn’t working at all don’t just presume that the entire unit is broken. As well as acting as the combustible element in the cylinder of your car’s engine, the fuel also helps to provide lubrication and cooling for the pump itself. Continually driving with low fuel levels can also lead to premature wearing out of the fuel pump. Other symptoms can range from sluggish acceleration to an increase in fuel consumption. In more severe cases the engine may cut out when idling at traffic lights, for example. With most modern cars it doesn’t take much of a change in the air-fuel ratio for any misfire to occur. Experiencing any misfires or sudden decreases in power while driving can be another indication that the fuel pump is not functioning correctly.
If the starter motor performs normally, but the engine is hard to start, especially for the first time of the day, the pump may be struggling to get sufficient fuel to the engine. Some of the obvious symptoms include a loud electrical clicking or whining noise when the engine is running even at idle. Here we take a look at the more common problems with your vehicles fuel system and how quickly they can be remedied.įaulty fuel pumps There can be a number of tell-tale signs that a fuel pump may be failing. One of the key ingredients your engine needs to run correctly is fuel.
Not all issues are as severe or expensive to repair as you might think. Anything that might affect the flow of fuel to the engine is going to result in poorer performance or, at worst, cause your engine not to run at all.