Your vehicle’s engine needs a constant influx of fuel and air for the combustion. And a working fuel pump ensures correct fuel supply. But what happens when you have a bad fuel pump? Some of the symptoms of a bad fuel pump are difficult starting, engine surging, sputtering or stalling.
Of course, the best way to deal with a bad fuel pump is to replace it. But today, we’ll teach you how to start a car with a bad fuel pump. In this way, you can avoid being stranded on the road and safely drive to the nearest mechanic to fix replace the fuel pump.
How to start a car with a bad fuel pump? First, we recommend using a fuel pressure gauge. Another tip is to apply external pressure to aid the pump to supply fuel. Also, don’t let the car engine’s overheat. Remember that these are just temporary pump fixes.
How to Start a Car with a Bad Fuel Pump? These Temporary Fixes Will Save Your Day
First things first: You should know what is the fuel pump function.
Fuel pumps are among the most essential parts of your car. After all, it’s the one that makes sure to distribute the fuel from the gas tank. In the simplest terms, a fuel pump transfers gasoline or diesel from the fuel tank to the carburetor of the internal combustion engine.
Also, you should know some of the bad fuel pump symptoms. If you notice them early, you can visit your mechanic to fix or replace your fuel pump.
The tips we’ll now give you are temporary fixes, and not solutions. So, it’ll be better to replace your pump as soon as possible. What happens is that if you continue using a bad fuel pump, you are risking to damage your engine and this will result in expensive repairs.
We really hope you are not reading this post while being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Right now, we’ll give you some quick fixes to get your car running again.
- Use a Fuel Pressure Gauge
One of the signs of a bad fuel pump is the low pressure in the engine. A faulty fuel pump will lower the required pressure and the ability to supply the right amount of fuel. This will disturb the engine’s air-fuel ratio. And this surely will hinder your ability to start the engine.
So, we recommend to use a fuel pressure gauge to diagnose if the fuel pump is bad.
If you don’t own one, you can buy the fuel pressure tester kit Actron CP7818.
We advise to read the user manual to learn how to attach the fuel pressure gauge with your car’s engine.
The fuel pressure gauge will help you start the car with a bad fuel pump. Also, this method it’s a good way to identify the real issue of the fuel pump. - Apply External Pressure to Aid the Pump Supply Fuel
As we said before, one of the reasons of a start problem in your car is the low pressure in the pump. By not delivering the right amount of fuel, it would be a nightmare to start the car’s engine.
So, by applying external pressure, you could aid the pump supply fuel.
Here we share a video about how to apply external pressure to start your car.
Some of the tools you’ll need are a straight screwdriver and air mattress pump.
You first have to get the screw off from the fuel filter, and then push the air mattress pump into the fuel line that comes from the gas tank. Then, give 3 or 4 pumps, and then unplug the air mattress pump and quickly connect the fuel line to the fuel filter. Do it quickly because the fuel line will be gushing out liquid.
Fasten the screw to connect everything as it should. Then try to start your car.
Watch the video for a easier way to understand better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHoJGYow_mc
Of course, this tip will allow you to start the car, but you will have to get the issue fixed later.
- Maintaining the Car Engine’s Heat
Temperature rising is a sign of a bad fuel pump. So, one of the best tips to start a car with a bad fuel pump is to leave your car’s engine cool.
When your car gets cool, it allows the fuel pump to reset without the need of pressure.
Also, you should neither let your car engine get too cool or get very hot. This is because a significant amount of heat will help you to start the engine as well as to avoid the pump’s malfunctioning.
Make Sure You Fix the Bad Fuel to Avoid Serious Side Effects
You have to keep in mind that these three tips are temporary fixes.
Otherwise, this can bring a number of side effects to your car. It can even make driving your car dangerous.
The possible side effects that can result from having a bad fuel pump are:
• Really bad fuel economy
• Power loss
• Car overheating
• Frequent engine failure
So, before things get worse, or before your car stops on the middle of the road, you need to look for a mechanic to solve the fuel pump problem and enjoy optimal engine performance. - \
After Replacing the Pump, Follow These Tips to Increase Its Lifespan
Since you now have a fuel pump in optimal conditions, we advise you to follow these maintenance tips.
• Purchase high-quality fuel that has not impurities.
• Make sure you always keep the gas tank a quarter of the way full. When the pump is submerged in fuel, it will keep cool. Otherwise, the pump will overheat and fail prematurely.
• Use good quality fuel injector cleaners. There is always the risk of impurities in the fuel, and these particles can cause a fuel pump to go bad. Click on the following link to learn about the best fuel injector cleaners. Another benefit of using these fuel cleaners is that they help increase your car’s performance and fuel economy.
Remember this: Preventing fuel pump failure is far less expensive than replacing the pump.
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