The fuel pump in your SUV is located in the fuel tank. This pump lasts approximately 100,000 miles. If you take excellent care of your SUV, you will likely get more mileage out of the pump. Regardless, there will come a point when the fuel pump needs to be replaced. Your SUV will start to have problems. We are going to discuss these problems below as they are signs that the pump is going bad.
Problems With Engine Performance
You probably already know that the fuel pump takes the fuel that is in the tank and moves it into the engine. While the SUV is running, it needs a constant stream of fuel. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, it may not be able to provide this constant stream. Consequently, your SUV’s engine may start to sputter and lag. The opposite can also occur if the fuel pump since too much fuel into the engine. In this case, the engine will surge and your SUV will pick up speed unexpectedly.
A Noticeable Reduction in Fuel Economy
Unfortunately, this is going to hit you in the pocketbook. When the engine is struggling to run or burning too much fuel, you will see a noticeable reduction in the gas mileage that your SUV gets. Consequently, you will be filling the SUV’s tank more often than you normally do.
Audible Noises in the Fuel Tank
Speaking of the SUV’s tank, if you hear audible noises coming from the tank, the fuel pump is letting you know it is in trouble. The most common sound that the pump will make is a whining noise that will get louder the worse the pump gets. In some cases, the pump may also squeal.
Inadequate Fuel Pressure in the Engine
We can do a quick test of your SUV’s fuel pressure to see if the pump is operating as it should be. If the fuel pressure is low, this is a sign that the pump needs to be replaced. It is unable to push the fuel into the engine at its normal force.
An Engine That Overheats Constantly
Aside from the fuel, a dying pump can also push extra heat into the engine. When this happens, you will start to have an overheating problem with your SUV.
Difficulty Starting the SUV
Finally, it makes sense that it would be difficult to start the SUV if the pump is not sending fuel to the engine. If you are having problems firing up your SUV, give us a call today.