Are you wondering if you need a new fuel pump? Contact Rick & Ray’s to learn all about our services.
Your car’s fuel pump brings fuel from the gas tank to the engine. As you can imagine, it’s a vital part of how your vehicle operates. If damage or mechanical malfunctions occur to the pump, your vehicle’s operation will be compromised.
That’s why you should know the warning signs that signal a failing fuel pump. Early diagnosis and repair is key. When you can catch the symptoms of a bad fuel pump, you can then bring your car to a trusted mechanic so they can fix the problem before it becomes more serious and costly.
Here are some signs that you need a new fuel pump:
The Engine Stutters
If the engine starts to jolt and stutter when driving along at a steady clip, it may mean the pump is struggling to provide enough fuel to the engine. As such, the engine may have difficulty keeping up a certain speed. This is a dangerous situation, as it impacts how much control that you have over your vehicle. Immediate attention by a mechanic is necessary.
The Engine Surges
If you start to notice sudden surges of speed when driving, this could be happening because the fuel pump is supplying too much fuel to your engine. Keep in mind, unexpected engine revving is dangerous. Your engine could get flooded if your fuel pump is sending it too much fuel, leading to a stall-out while on the road. And don’t think you can’t experience engine surges and stuttering at the same time. You can!
You Have Reduced Fuel Efficiency
A malfunctioning fuel pump can impact your vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency greatly. When excessive or inadequate amounts of fuel are being sent to your engine, it won’t work at max efficiency. As it works overtime to run the way it was designed to, the engine will burn more fuel than is necessary.
If you have noticed a sudden decrease in mileage but you haven’t changed your driving habits, the fuel pump may be the culprit. Getting the fuel pump replaced early on will save you the high cost of filling your tank more frequently than usual.
You Hear High-Pitched Noises
If you’re hearing high-pitched whines or squeals originating from the engine while driving, this could signal excessive wear to fuel pump components. You would be wise to pay attention to those screeches because they are a warning sign that more serious mechanical failures are coming. Your mechanic can replace the pump so you can avoid more expensive and serious problems later on.
Overheating Engine
If your fuel pump is on its way out, it can overheat, which causes your engine to overheat. An overheated pump will stall the engine. You should pull over immediately if you see signs of overheating.
You Have Low Fuel Pressure
This will require you to test your fuel pressure, and you can easily pick up a gauge at an auto parts store. You’ll need a friend to help you. Read the gauge while they rev the engine. You can find the recommended fuel pressure by reading the owner’s manual.
Your Engine Won’t Start
If you are having trouble starting your engine, a damaged pump may be to blame. That’s because the pump can’t move enough fuel to the engine, which means you likely have to continually crank the engine before it turns over – if at all. In the case of total pump failure, your car will not start at all. So if you are in the middle of nowhere, or in a rush to leave for work, you’ll be stranded.
Just be aware that there are many other issues that could contribute to an engine not starting, so it’s smart to just take your vehicle to a mechanic for proper troubleshooting and diagnosis. Make note of anything you were doing prior to the engine not starting. Your mechanic will need all the input they can get to make an informed diagnosis.
Contact Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza
Not sure if you need a new fuel pump? That’s where our mechanics come in! Bring your vehicle in for troubleshooting and a consultation. We can let you know if you need a fuel pump replacement or repair. Just contact us in Fort Worth TX at 817-609-4293. For your convenience, we are located at 2425 Cullen St. in Fort Worth, TX, with business hours of Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Our Services
Alternator Replacement
Nobody plans for their car to stop working. No doubt it’s an inconvenience when an alternator replacement is suddenly necessary. Big questions loom, like how long it’ll take to do an alternator replacement, and how much the job will end up costing.
Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Dealing with auto air conditioning repair brings about a few different problems. The heat outside can get pretty intense, making you incredibly uncomfortable whenever you go anywhere in your car. On top of that, the worry about how much an auto air conditioning repair will end up costing is stressful.
Auto Electrical
Most people realize that owning a car means some maintenance and repairs, but auto electrical service can add an unexpected level of stress to the experience. Vehicle owners often wonder how long such problems will take to resolve, and just as important how much it’ll end up costing.
Brake Repair
Any brake repair work should be taken seriously and performed with care. After all, you have a lot riding on your brakes every time you press down on the pedal. At the same time, we at Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understand you might be concerned with how long a brake repair job will take and cost. One of our main objectives is to make the process painless, delivering superior customer service to make you a repeat customer.
Diesel Repair
Many shops don’t understand the specialized nature of diesel repair. It’s a different process than working on gas-powered vehicles, with plenty of unique considerations that must be taken into account. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza, we understand the importance of your diesel vehicle. You want diesel repairs or maintenance performed correctly the first time.
Emission Repair
No one anticipates needing an emission repair, but the time does come. Instead of worrying about what it means, trust the professionals to resolve the problem quickly and completely.
At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we understand that car trouble, including a necessary emission repair, can create some stress. That’s why we work hard to make your customer experience second to none. Our goal is to ensure you’re so pleased that you keep coming back to us.
Engine Repair
Dealing with engine repair issues can be stressful. You cannot use your vehicle, your ability to get around is limited, and you’re left wondering how big the final bill will be. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we completely understand your concerns. Along with our engine repair expertise, we provide excellent customer service. In fact, we measure our success by whether or not you want to return to us for future maintenance and repairs.
Oil Change
Every vehicle needs an oil change service at regular intervals, or else some pretty big problems can crop up over time. Dirty oil will slowly wear away at different engine components, even leading to complete failure. Take the time to guard against a huge bill.
Transmission Repair
Dealing with a transmission repair can be stressful and potentially expensive. It’s a critical part of any car, because without the transmission working properly you literally won’t get very far.
Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understands your automotive needs. That’s why we work hard to do more than just fix your vehicle, providing you with the best customer service around. Our goal is to make every one of our customers happy, then see them again for future car maintenance and repairs.
Truck Repair
Your truck works hard just like you, so having it out of commission simply isn’t an option. Not only does an ailing truck limit how you get around, but it keeps you from tackling tough jobs. On top of it all, the stress of wondering what’s wrong, along with what your truck repairs will cost, hangs over your head.
Wheel Alignment
If you’re driving down I-35, do you feel like you’re in control of your vehicle? Are you fighting the steering wheel to hold your car straight in its lane? Or is your steering loose, causing you to wander between lane markers? You probably need a wheel alignment.
