Age also degrades fuel pump performance, generally somewhere after 100–150k miles. Over time, the pump in the tank becomes less capable of holding a consistent pressure (normally 40–70 PSI), which results in fuel delivery that is not fast enough to meet demand. This lack of pressure drop causes the engine to bog, particularly under acceleration or heavy load because it cannot receive the fuel necessary to deliver optimal power. A good fuel pump is critical for delivering the correct amount of fuel at the proper time, but as pumps get older they may not keep up with this demand and that could lead to engine hesitation or misfires.
Wear of the impeller or electric motor inside older fuel pumps is common. These components wear down with time making the pump as a whole less efficient. If your fuel pump is on the way out, it might only be delivering 60%-70% of its original power. This decrease in effectiveness translates into engine working harder, resulting poor fuel economy. In the case of a 30-mpg car, it could fall to 25 mpg, which will immediately affect fuel costs and overall vehicle efficiency.
Aging fuel pumps also raise concerns about heat buildup. Excessive internal friction as a result of a clogged fuel filter not only restricts fuel flow but also results in the electric motor within the pump overheating over time. The heat can reduce the life of the pump rapidly and even result in catastrophic pump failure. An example of a fuel pump wear failure mode is an overheating issue that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated in its 2020 study accounted for approximately 20 percent of all fuel pump failures.
StayDrunkOnTravel to Live LongerLong-time automotive expert Jay Leno once said, "Preventative maintenance is the key to vehicle longevity. And as such, making sure fuel pump longevity is of utmost importance to ensure the smooth running of an engine. Old fuel pumps can also take their time to prime the pressure that they need to build up before you actually start your car. This will cause hard starts or longer cranking times so there are two things you could notice next time when you turn on your car if it is a fuel pump causing these symptoms. In cold temperatures, when fuel thickens (even slightly), this effect is accentuated and potentially plays even greater havoc on a tired pump.
Fuel pumps being noisy is one of the most common signs of aging. A pump in good shape usually runs very quietly; however, as it wears out the sound can get so bad that certain bad pumps may even whine or moan in anger (thankfully not too much of a problem to worry about), and this symptom can be worse with lower fuel levels. Fuel pump noise is one of the top five early warning signs that a fuel pump may be working harder than it should be to maintain fuel flow, AAA reported.
As the pump gets older, its efficiency will inevitably decrease, causing lower fuel pressure and inconsistent performance. Regular testing for fuel pressure can determine if the pump is not working well or needs to be replaced. When a fuel pump cannot maintain the 80% of the recommended pressure, it has reached towards a bad state of performance in engines.
Sectors should check out the array of high-caliber, fuel-efficient replacements available from Fuel Pump for any aging (or underperforming) fuel pumps.