Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump in Your Truck
Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Fuel Pump in Your Truck
Posted on March 2, 2021
The fuel pump is a key element of your truck's everyday operation. It's responsible for moving gas or diesel from the tank to the engine, and it stands to reason that if it fails, your truck will be going nowhere.
Luckily, there are usually several warning signs that your fuel pump is on its way out, giving you chance to fix the problem before you get stranded in a lifeless truck. Here are six symptoms to watch out for.
1) Unusually High Engine Temperature
If the fuel pump is starting to fail, it'll be less efficient at supplying the engine with the fuel it needs to run smoothly. The engine will need to work a lot harder, and this will show up as a higher temperature than you'd usually see for the kind of driving you're doing. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge, and if it shoots upward for no obvious reason, a bad fuel pump in your truck could be the culprit.
2) Sputters and Judders
If a bad fuel pump is leaving the engine thirsty, then it'll start to sputter and judder as the pressure drops. This is usually most obvious at higher speeds, where the pump just can't keep up with demand.
3) Losing Power with Heavy Loads
Likewise, if your truck doesn't respond as well as usual when you're carrying a heavy load, a bad fuel pump could be the problem. The engine tries to work harder under stress, but simply doesn't get the juice to perform like it should.
4) Poor Fuel Economy
If your truck has turned from a fuel miser into a gas guzzler, it could be another sign of a bad fuel pump. This time, it's a part of the pump called the relief valve which may have failed, making the pump deliver more fuel than is needed, and so pushing consumption up and economy down.
5) Surging Speeds
A failing fuel pump can also lead to sudden surges of speed on the highway, with all the dangers such unexpected behaviour can cause. The pump's failure could be an intermittent problem which temporarily fixes itself, increasing the engine's fuel supply without you pressing down on the gas. And even though the problem may not happen all the time, it's a clear sign your truck's fuel pump is turning bad, as well as being a potentially very dangerous fault.
6) Engine Not Starting
Lastly, if the pump isn't delivering enough fuel to the engine when you turn the ignition, it'll usually fail to start. It may briefly turn over, but won't catch. This can be caused by other issues including electrical problems, and it can happen only every so often, but it's another bad fuel pump warning that you shouldn't ignore.
Do any of these signs look familiar? If you suspect your truck has a bad fuel pump, our service department is here to help. Staffed by a highly trained team using only certified parts, we can get your truck or trailer back into peak condition for an unbeatable price.