In fact, a faulty or failing Fuel Pump could affect the sound of the engine, usually characterized by drastic changes in general acoustic performance. A normally working Fuel Pump would usually keep the fuel flowing to the engine at constant pressure, typically ranging between 30 and 80 psi, which helps to ensure smooth combustion. If this pump is failing or has merely failed, there might be several setbacks or disturbed flow of fuel leading to an array of engine noises that could spell trouble.
One symptom that generally signals a failing Fuel Pump is a whining or humming noise emanating from the general area of the fuel tank. Such noises are most often caused either by the pump not managing to maintain the required pressure or by some internal wear. Sometimes, the noise gets louder when the level of fuel is low because the pump needs to work harder to pull fuel from the tank. This noise can be very distinct when higher mileage is reached, or when the pump is near the end of its life expectancy-which is usually in service around 100,000 to 200,000 miles depending on quality and application.
Other unusual noises can be produced when there are problems in the performance of the engine such as sputtering or misfiring. This occurs when the Fuel Pump cannot deliver enough fuel for proper combustion. For example, when the car is accelerating or at full speed, the engine may start to hesitate or even produce a rough noise-a direct indication of the inability of the fuel supply to be delivered consistently. In fact, it has been recorded that when an engine suffers from fuel starvation brought about by a weak Fuel Pump, a 10% to 15% loss in power can be realized, which ultimately contributes to abnormal noising of the engine.
The Fuel Pump has been the issue involving large-scale recalls, such as the 2020 recall that Toyota issued for over 700,000 cars. Strange noises coming from the engine, rough idling, and stalling were symptoms largely associated with a failing Fuel Pump that can’t sustain proper pressure to maintain regular engine performance and noise.
As Henry Ford once said, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” A good Fuel Pump keeps the engine purring smoothly and silently, while a failing one creates unusual noises that are usually the first warning of impending failure.
For further details on Fuel Pumps and how to handle related noise in your engine, see Fuel Pump.