Having car or machinery problems is something everyone wants to avoid. However, it’s inescapable to experience a malfunction at least once. We’ve seen a lot of people worry about what would happen if a part of the vehicle stops working while they’re operating it. So, what happens when fuel pump goes out while driving?
By giving you insights into how this mechanism functions and its use, you’ll better understand what to expect if this dreadful situation happens. Not only will you be more prepared to act quickly, but you’ll also be able to come up with the right solution for the moment.
Continue reading to discover how a vehicle acts when the fuel pump is going out and what happens when it fails while driving!
Source: Shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Palitsyn Evgenii
What Is a Fuel Pump and Its Use?
A fuel pump is a crucial part of any liquid-fuelled vehicle that uses petrol or diesel to function. Its main use is to transfer the fuel from the fuel tank to the place where it’s mixed with air, such as fuel injectors and carburetors. Depending on the machine, there are two common fuel pump types: low-pressure and high-pressure.
While the first type is used for carburetors and operates from 10 to 15 psi, the second is usually seen in direct-injection engines and operates up to 30,000 psi. Some other popular fuel pumps we should mention are the electrical ones that use 40 to 60 psi and turbopumps that supply and oxidize the fuel in the combustion chamber.
Since the fuel pump is an essential part of any fuel-based vehicle, having it malfunction will result in difficulty or inability to turn on the engine. Thus, if you notice a lower fuel efficiency, contact us at Goldfarb & Associates for an injector pump repair. Since we offer the highest quality of new and remanufactured diesel fuel injectors, we can easily replace the faulty parts of your vehicle.
What Happens When Fuel Pump Goes Out While Driving?
As mentioned, having a faulty fuel pump will affect the engine power due to an inadequate gas and fuel mixture. This can result in the inability to turn on the engine because no fuel is injected into it.
Even though these parts are built to be durable, they can take damage due to dirt, overload, and wear over time. Furthermore, prolonged use with the “low fuel” sign on may cause it to overheat and start pulling air and debris from the fuel tank.
While many try to avoid this issue, it can easily be overlooked if someone doesn’t know the signs of a failing fuel pump, which we mentioned below. The worst-case scenario is if the part gives in to damage while the machine is still in use. So, can a fuel pump fail suddenly while driving?
The simple answer is yes. If the fuel pump goes out while driving, it’s most likely that the vehicle will stall and break down in the middle of the road. Once that happens, you may not be able to start your car or machinery again. However, before the part completely fails, there are a few signs we recommend to consider.
What happens if you drive with a broken fuel pump?
Driving with a broken fuel pump inevitably causes significant driving performance issues. For instance, one of the minor issues it causes is lower gas mileage. Plus, prolonged use of the vehicle with a failing pump may cause damage to the engine itself.
Another common issue with driving with a broken fuel pump is the engine revving up without applying pressure to the pedal and then lowering the power again. If you’re suspicious of the fuel pump’s functionality, we don’t recommend driving at high speeds because the engine will likely stall and put you at risk.
How does a vehicle act when the fuel pump is going out?
As mentioned, a few signs can foretell the fuel pump is going out. The ones that we always encourage our customers to look out for are the following:
- Noise from tank
- Engine sputters
- Difficulty starting
- A sudden decrease in acceleration
- Decrease in fuel economy
If you notice any of these signs while driving the vehicle, we recommend contacting us at Goldfarb & Associates. Continuing to operate the vehicle can lead to further complications, such as complete engine failure.
Source: Shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Setta Sornnoi
Conclusion
What happens when fuel pump goes out while driving? As mentioned, it can affect the engine power. Remember that you won’t be able to use the vehicle if the pump fails, so it's best to be mindful of all the signs indicating its failure.
Lastly, if you experience this issue while driving, it’s best to stay calm and collected. Then, call a professional service without trying to drive the machine again.
