A fuel pump plays an essential part in the operation of a vehicle. It takes the fuel from the fuel tank and relays it to the engine so the car can start and run. However, can a fuel pump go bad if your vehicle has been sitting too long? We have the answer to that question in this article!
If your vehicle is sitting too long, then the fuel pump can go bad. This can happen because the pressure has gotten too low, which means the vehicle cannot start. Modern-day fuel injections systems need high pressure to function correctly, and when a car sits too long, the fuel pump won't deliver that level of pressure.
If your car has been sitting for a while, there are several reasons why it won't start. However, a fuel pump going bad after a car has been sitting is a common culprit. In this article, we will discuss the signs of a fuel pump going bad. In addition, we will discuss how long a fuel pump will last and the costs of replacing one, so keep reading!
Do Fuel Pumps Go Bad From Sitting?
Fuel pumps do not go bad immediately after a vehicle has been sitting. Instead, the fuel pump usually goes bad over time because it becomes less effective at taking fuel from the tank and sending it to the engine so it can run.
When your car sits for too long, the gas inside of the fuel tank starts to break down. As that happens, the pump becomes less effective at moving gas into the engine. When that happens, the car will not start because it doesn't have enough fuel pressure to get going.
In addition, fuel pumps will usually go bad from sitting overnight. If you have a vehicle that you don't drive daily, then it is very common for the fuel pump to die after a car has been sitting overnight.
This is because of how cold the temperature gets overnight and how cold the gas becomes inside the tank. The cold temperature causes the fuel pump to work harder and faster, leading to burning out and dying.
In addition, a fuel pump will go bad from sitting overnight because of condensation. When a car sits for too long, especially during cold nights, there is a good chance there will be some condensation inside the tank.
Since gas and water don't mix well together, when you start your car in the morning, the gas will mix with the condensation in the tank, which can lead to running issues.
What are the signs of a fuel pump going bad?
There are several signs of a fuel pump going bad, but there are main signs you should keep an eye out for if your car has been sitting too long.
Delay in Acceleration
You have to press the gas pedal down further than usual to get the car moving. This is one of the most common signs that something is wrong with the fuel pump. This is usually a sign that the fuel pump is going bad and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Trouble Starting
The fuel pump may be going bad if the car has trouble starting, especially after sitting overnight. For example, if your car doesn't start immediately after turning the ignition, the fuel pump might have a problem.
Check Engine Light Comes On
The check engine light is on after the car has been sitting overnight. - If your car doesn't start when you turn the ignition in the morning, but you have recently had maintenance or repairs done to it, then there might be a problem with the fuel pump. When this happens, the check engine light might come on because of a fault that has been stored in your car's computer.
Slow Acceleration When Speeding Up
If the car is slow to accelerate or lacks power when you speed up, then this is another sign that something is wrong with the fuel pump. To maximize the life of a fuel pump, it's always a good idea to have regular tune-ups done to your vehicle. Not only do regular tune-ups prolong the life of the car, but they will also prevent problems before they happen.
Fuel Tank Noise or Vibrating
After driving your car for an extended period, you might hear the fuel tank vibrating or making noise under the car. - If you hear loud noises coming from under your car when you are driving around, then it is possible that something is wrong with the fuel pump. I
Power Loss
If your car is losing power when driving it, this can be another sign of having a bad fuel pump. When the car doesn't have enough power to drive around, then the chances are that the fuel pump has stopped working.
Low Fuel Efficiency
If your car is losing fuel efficiency when you drive it, it can be a sign of having a bad fuel pump. When the car is losing fuel efficiency, something might be wrong with how the car uses gas.
How long should a fuel pump last?
A fuel pump can last on average about 100,000 miles. However, as discussed above, a fuel pump can go out sooner if the vehicle has been sitting for an extended period of time.
In addition, the fuel can go bad if it has been sitting in frigid cold weather conditions for a short period of time. This is because the fuel pump has to work harder and faster when starting a car up in cold weather.
Can I drive with a bad fuel pump?
When it comes to driving with a bad fuel pump, you should not drive the car around. When the car has a bad fuel pump, it will lose power and stall at intersections or on the road. This is why it is best to have your fuel pump replaced as soon as possible so that you can minimize any risks of accidents when driving.
How expensive is it to replace a fuel pump?
Getting your fuel pump replaced is not cheap. However, the price depends on what type of car you drive and if other parts need to be replaced. The costs can range from $220 to as much as $1,000. Typically, the fuel pump can be about a two to three-hour job to be replaced.
The price of getting a fuel pump can also vary depending on the mechanic shop. It never hurts to shop around and get different price quotes.
Can you fix a fuel pump without replacing it?
It is possible to fix the fuel pump without having to replace it. However, this can be a long and arduous process that requires you to take apart your car's entire fuel line system.
For example, if your fuel filter has gone wrong or dirt is clogging up something in the fuel line system, you will need to fix this before repairing the fuel pump.
However, if you are not good at doing car repairs or do not have the time to take apart your entire car's fuel line system, then it might be best to bring your vehicle to a mechanic who will be able to correctly diagnose the problem with your fuel pump and fix it for you.
If you want to replace the fuel pump on your own, this is not recommended. You can buy a fuel pump and install it by yourself, but you might end up making the problem worse. Also, if you are not sure what is wrong with the fuel pump in your car, then it's better to bring in a professional who knows what they are doing.
Car won't start when replacing the fuel pump—What to do?
If you replaced the fuel pump and your car still won't start, there could be issues within the fuel lines.
When you removed the fuel lines, it is possible that they didn't go back on correctly, or they were loose. A loose connection could cause a loss of pressure, and therefore your car won't start up again.
It's also possible that there are micro leaks within the connections where the fuel line meets the pump. When this happens, you will need to go to a mechanic and have them look at it.
Final Thoughts
The fuel pump is one of your car's most essential parts. This is because the fuel pump is what keeps your engine running smoothly and without any problems with the gas that goes into the vehicle. For this reason, it is important to get your car checked if you notice that there are issues with your vehicle starting up or if there is any hesitation or lack of power while driving.
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