If you notice that your fuel is not reaching the same mileage as it has before, one of the causes might be a fuel pump problem. It could be that the valve isn’t closing properly to stop the fuel flow or the pump could be sending the engine too much fuel. Either way, you won’t be getting the same fuel efficiency once the fuel pump is faulty.
Since it costs a lot to replace a fuel pump, you need to make sure that it is really the cause of the problem. First, you have to conduct a fuel pressure and flow check to see if the pump is working efficiently or not. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check the fuel system of your car.
Wear Safety Gear
Before doing any inspection, make sure that you wear complete safety gear – goggles and gloves. You’ll be dealing fuel that is under pressure and it could start a fire or cause injury when things go wrong. If you’re wearing complete safety gear, you could avoid or minimize the harmful effects that can be caused by inspecting fuel pressure. Also, be sure that your workplace is well ventilated to diffuse the fumes easily and minimize health risks. Never smoke or use anything that could cause a spark around the area where you’re handling fuel.
Check Fuel Pressure
To check the fuel pressure, you have to start up the vehicle and leave it on idle. Pressure gauges are used to measure the fuel pressure. Get a pressure gauge and install it on the fuel pump. Run the pump and check the pressure reading on the gauge. To know if the reading is low or high, you could refer to the manufacturer’s notes. Low pressure reading needs to be fixed immediately. However, if the pressure is just right, you need to check the fuel flow to see if the issue is there.
Check the Fuel Flow
If there is no issue on the fuel pressure, the problem might be in the fuel flow. Adequate amount of fuel should be sent to the fuel injectors in order for the engine to run properly. Checking the fuel delivery can be done easily using a flowmeter. However, if you don’t have this tool, you could also use a glass measuring container to perform a timed fuel delivery test.
To do a timed fuel delivery test, you need to start up your car and leave it on idle. The car needs to be started in order to get the fuel pump running so you could check its efficiency. While the pump is running, your goal is to collect sample fuel within five seconds. The amount you’ll get would determine if the pump is providing the right amount of fuel or not. Refer to the manufacturer’s notes to know if it is delivering the right amount or not.
Keep your engine running at its best condition and make the most of your car’s fuel by making sure that your fuel pump is working at its optimal condition.