Six Signs of a Failing Fuel Pump Friday/ Automobile

How do you know if the fuel pump on the vehicle you are driving is going bad? What are some of the classic symptoms of a failing electric fuel pump? Here are six symptoms that will help determine if a fuel pump is failing. #1. Intermittent operation, especially when the engine is hot. If the vehicle starts fine but after a few miles of driving begins to sputter, then the fuel pump could be going bad. This may only occur when the engine is hot, so let the engine idle for at least twenty minutes before checking this particular problem.

2. A screeching sound when the engine is engaged is another symptom. This sound could vary depending on the vehicle but the sound will be annoying. The sound will just happen when the engine is first engaged and then disappear. 3. A slow or no starting vehicle is another early warning sign of a bad fuel pump. If one's vehicle starts slow or will not start at all and you know that the starter and battery

are good, then the next logical part could be the fuel pump. Starting and acceleration of one's vehicle depends heavily on the amount of fuel that is being supplied. 4. Engine misfire at highway speeds which cause the vehicle to have problems for a couple of miles. Hesitant or sluggish accelerations is one of the signs that the vehicle is either out of gas or that the fuel pump is failing. 5. Engine loses power when climbing hills or pulling a trailer. This too can be a sign of a failing fuel pump as the extra power needed comes from the gas that is supplied to the engine.

6. While someone is turning the ignition key have someone else listen to the gas tank for the pump motor to engage. This is one way to determine if the fuel pump is operational or not. The fuel pump will sound like the whirling of an electric motor if it is engaged properly. While each of these are symptoms of a failing fuel pump they can also be symptoms of any other part of the fuel system assembly. Remember the fuel system depends on the pump, filters, fuel injectors, spark plugs and so on.

Doing any job yourself is good but when in doubt always have your vehicle double checked by a certified mechanic preferably one who you know is honest. This is how we care for our car ,' Around Our Southern Home and Garden'.