Can a Fuel Pump Lead to Poor Fuel Economy?

An inoperative fuel pump is another, and it can easily throw off the entire fuel delivery system and lead to poor fuel economy by disrupting the air-fuel ratio that’s designed for your particular engine. An underperforming fuel pump will deliver a suboptimal pressure, and the engine may not be able to burn the entire amount of fuel. According to studies, a defective fuel pump can deliver as much as 20 percent less fuel than the system is designed to handle–pushing vehicles over average ranges–which prompts drivers to end up needing more frequent refuels.

The fuel pumps are calibrated to hold constant pressure (30 to 80 psi depending on the car). Should this pressure fall below the optimal range, the engine compensates for the difference by burning more fuel to compensate. Such wastefulness causes a higher fuel mileageas well as is putting excessive stress on the components ofthe engine thus underlining their durability.

Decreased fuel economy is often accompanied by poor acceleration and stalling. As an example, a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) case study found that a car was getting 15% less than expected mileage because it had a pump that delivered only 70% of its rated capacity. So, it is imperative to have your system checked regularly; all these issues can go undetected until you start seeing a massive fuel bill.

Clogged fuel filters — which usually coincide with a dying fuel pump — do not help mitigate that. When filters aren’t changed according to recommendation—which is about every 20,000 to 30,000 miles—the pump has to work harder and it’s parts wear out quicker. According to AAA statistics, close to 12% of the vehicles that were performed on had complaints regarding poor fuel economy and neglected maintenance of the fuel system.

Fuel injection systems in modern vehicles depend on pump performance as part of its overall best practices. Even slight deviation can disrupt the injector calibration, resulting in an uneven amount of fuel being delivered. As leaders in automotive technology Bosch are keen to highlight fuel pump maintenance is vital for maintaining the high efficiency that modern injection systems promise.

If you have a faulty Fuel Pump, then the cost is usually between $500 and $800 per replacement part depending on the make/model of your vehicle. Although that price might sound high, in the long run you will get it back (and then some) at the gas station. They recommend checking the pump every 60,000 miles and replacing it if its performance level begins to drop to prevent increased expense for repairs stemming from prolonged inefficiency.

A Fuel Pump that works consistently ensures maximum mileage, minimum emissions and a smooth engine. Correcting pump problems earlier also achieves a return in fuel economic system and an extended existence of many other components in the car’s gas device.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top