A leak in the Fuel Pump results in excessive fuel use, reducing the overall fuel efficiency of a vehicle. The Fuel Pump may either not deliver the right quantity of fuel to the engine, or it may leak somewhere in the system before the fuel is delivered. Such leakage of fuel results in its wastage, and, hence, more consumption of fuel. Fuel losses may vary from a small reduction in fuel economy to 10% or even up to 15%, depending on the size and location of the leak.
For example, in those vehicles that have older or poorly maintained Fuel Pumps, the seals can deteriorate over time and leak fuel from the pump assembly in the form of dripping or spraying. Sometimes, slight fuel leakage may go unnoticed for some time and only gradually worsen the fuel economy. Small fuel leaks in the area of the Fuel Pump have been shown to cause drivers to see an increase in fuel costs upwards of $150 to $200 annually. This is particularly an issue with higher-mileage diesel engines, since they require much higher pressures to deliver fuel, thereby increasing the likelihood of leakage.
The effects of a leaking Fuel Pump are not confined to fuel economy only. A leak can become dangerous, too. For example, in extreme conditions, the leaked fuel might come into contact with hot parts of the engine and ignite, therefore creating a fire hazard. Moreover, when the Fuel Pump works incorrectly, the engine gets line feeding inconsistently, and as a result, the engine might start to rough idle, accelerate poorly, and develop engine misfires that further lower fuel economy.
Matters can be worse when the Fuel Filter is clogged, and the Fuel Pump needs to work harder than required to maintain the necessary pressure. A stressed fuel pump will not only use up more power but may even wear out faster, increasing costs when replacement time comes. For instance, replacing a Fuel Pump can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
The fuel pressure test will be used by any mechanic to identify a Fuel Pump leak to see whether fuel pressure holds the expected amount. Any unusual drop of fuel pressure would indicate problems when combined with visible leak signs. For the effective running of a car with the least possible consumption of fuel without leading to unnecessary high rates, the car needs regularly to be checked for potential leakage and changing of Fuel Pump seals and O-rings.
