Hi there, it’s Pete here from Northside Automotive, with some advice about maintaining your car’s fuel pump.
Looking after the wellbeing of your car’s fuel pump is simple and straightforward. And there’s a chance you will save you time and money in the long run. Read on to find out how you can make sure your fuel pump lasts as long as your car does.
Every modern car with a fuel-injected engine has an electric fuel pump. The pump transfers a constant, pressurized supply of fuel from the tank to the fuel injection on the engine.
The fuel pump is a vital part of your car’s machinery, and it’s easy to look after if you follow these simple rules:
- Avoid letting the fuel level fall below a quarter of a tank. If the car is running on low fuel, the pump has to work extra hard and will wear out. Having enough fuel in the tank means that the pump stays cool. If the fuel is low, then the pump can overheat from overwork, causing damage.
- Replace fuel filters and strainers every 6 months. Filters and strainers purify the fuel that goes to the injectors. Keeping the filters fresh will mean that the fuel going to the engine is clean and won’t clog the fuel pump.
- Avoid low quality or contaminated fuel. Make sure that you’re filling your car up with the type of fuel recommended by the car’s manufacturer.
- Keep your fuel tank clean. Fuel tanks often fill up with water, dirt, debris, and fungi – all of which will affect the performance of your fuel pump. Rust can also build up on the bottom of the fuel tank. Your mechanic can provide advice on cleaning the fuelttank.
As you can see, it’s pretty easy to look after your fuel pump. If you don’t take care of the pump, it could mean the end of your car, or buying a replacement fuel pump – which could set you back hundreds of dollars or more.
Some signs of fuel pump failure are: noise coming from the pump area, long engine cranks, lack of power, stalling, or the car not starting despite the engine turning over.