What are the symptoms of insufficient fuel pump pressure?
2 Answers
Symptoms of insufficient fuel pump pressure are as follows: 1. The fuel pump under the rear seat makes a "buzzing" noise while the vehicle is moving. 2. The vehicle lacks power during acceleration, especially with noticeable hesitation during sudden acceleration. 3. Difficulty starting the vehicle, including failure to ignite. 4. The engine warning light on the instrument cluster remains illuminated. Causes of low fuel pump pressure include: 1. Wear of the oil seal at the rear end of the fuel pump drive gear shaft or loose pipe connections, allowing air into the fuel line, low fuel level in the tank, or a dirty filter. 2. Wear or jamming of the fuel pump gear's end face bearing, leading to excessive axial clearance. 3. Damage to the needle roller bearing, causing abnormal gear meshing and scoring of the fuel pump housing. 4. Jamming of the fuel pump regulator or relief valve, insufficient spring tension, or broken springs.
Last time my car had this issue, it would start shaking like it was gasping for breath as soon as I turned it on, and there was no power even when I floored the accelerator. It was most noticeable on the highway, where accelerating felt like an old ox pulling a cart. The scariest part was when it would stall inexplicably at red lights, almost causing a rear-end collision. These symptoms are actually all signs that the fuel pump isn't delivering enough fuel. The car's fuel injection volume is insufficient, and the ECU keeps trying to compensate, resulting in cold start difficulties and unstable idling. I suggest not pushing it too hard—delaying repairs can lead to clogged injectors, and in severe cases, you might need to replace the entire fuel system.
