Recognizing these sign will help you to determine the source of contamination of fuel pump. The most obvious sign of a dead battery is engine performance issues, such as stalling or having more difficulty when trying to start it up. According to some reports, as many as 20% of vehicles that won’t start could have fuel contamination that hinders the fuel pump’s ability to operate. Debris or water mixed in the fuel forms an obstacle and causes a disruption in part of any combustion process, while parts affected by that obstruction will start losing performance.
Decreasing fuel economy is another suggestion that contamination is taking place. Research from the American Automobile Association shows fuel that has even trace amounts of contamination can decrease mileage by as much as 15 percent. The fuel pump already needs to deliver more fuel to the engine, and this additional pumping effort overworks the pump and could lead to failure.
Physical symptoms are another way of giving hints on contamination. This can include a driver smelling fuel, which is an indication of fuel leaks created by wear inside the pump caused by contaminants. Lisa Green, the solution manager for CTS coolants at ExxonMobil on unusual smells: ‘An unusual fuel smell is a sign that something is amiss in the fuel system and could be a result of contamination.
Discoloration of the fuel or sediments are another sign. Dark Particles or Cloudy Appearance in Fuel Indicates Contaminates According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, soil, rust or water in a chemical state can be detrimental to fuel quality which has an adversarial effect on the fuel pump. In general, any particles can be filtered out by a clean fuel filter; if the filter is plugged and offers enough resistance to flow it will starve the pump for fuel with potential damage to follow.
This is another major symptom of contamination other than the fluctuating fuel pressure. The fuel pump should hold around 40 to 60 psi. If it fluctuates outside of this range, that means contaminants are impacting how the pump operates. John Smith, an automotive technician of 25 years, says, “Monitoring fuel pressure—the volume of gas delivered by the container—can indicate a problem early on and save money on possible repairs in the long run.
Lastly, whining or grinding noises from the fuel pump also indicate contamination. This is a common noise from the internal components of the pump wearing out due to fuel being pumped through with dirt in ex) it could happen form some cheap muddy gas. Actually, some studies maintain that as many as 30% of all fuel pump failures are due to wear that is related directly to contamination.
To wrap things up, hints of fuel pump contamination include poor engine performance, reduced mileage and economy, fuel smells, presence of sediments in the system, inconsistent fuel pressure and unusual noises from the pump. Remembering these signs before they damage your fuel system can go a long way to making sure that your vehicle runs for longer on the road. For the best solutions for fuel pumps, visit us at Fuel Pump.