If a fuel pump is overworking, this usually means that the entire fuel-system has been under stress (caused by any number of mechanical or environmental issues). One of the main culprits is a fuel filter that has become so clogged from contaminants, it no longer allows proper fuel flow and in turn, forces your pump to work over-time just to keep up with pressure. While industry standards recommend fuel filters be changed out every 30,000 to 50,000 miles (depending on make and model), many vehicles surpass this interval eventually falling victim to clogs that diminishing pump efficiency by nearly 15%. Unless resolved, a dirty filter may ultimately result in overheating or early breakdown of the pump that can spell expensive repairs for you.
Low fuel levels are another reason. What happens when the tank is nearly empty, though, is that it forces the pump to suck in additional air which can lead to hot spots around where the fuel pump motor resides. That additional heat adds up to more wear and tear in the long run. Running on a quarter tank or less of gas all the time, one study found, can reduce fuel pump life by 20%, cutting their effective operational lives to just over 80,000 miles–a whole new lifetime Constraint. Most mechanics recommend keeping the pump fully submerged in order to cool it as much as possible, contributing to its longevity, and suggest that you keep at least half a tank of fuel. Approximatley $500 to $1,200 is spent on fuel pump replacements and since the price can range depending upon the make of your car model. Precautionary steps are thus a very reasonable option!
The problem is also exacerbated by electrical problems like bad relays or worn wiring. Relapse: If a relay goes bad it could be sending mixed signals to the pump causing it running at higher speeds sometimes and wearing out faster. NHTSA data shows wiring issues cause about 10% of all fuel pump failures, especially in older cars. When it comes to electrical problems, the earlier you fix an issue the cheaper will be in terms of repair because not fixing now can result some breakdowns later down hundreds of dollars. Furthermore, an intermittently-stalling pump provides no warning prior to its failure, which could lead into hazardous circumstances particularly when the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds.
As automobile legend Henry Ford once stated, “The more you stop to fix an issue today will save a lot of those road tomorrow. Prevent the Fuel Pump from Overwork: Checking each of the components in a regular fuel system inspection guarantees that they are functioning at their top performance, which also ensures maintaining away from wearable overworking. The early warning sign is to identify symptoms while it still works, for example are odd whining noises or an occasional sputter that you just noticed. Dealing with these issues as soon as they occur instead of when a failure happen will result in smoother engine operation, longer pump life and less costly repairs.