In a bad fuel pump condition, this can cause an engine sputter, more so in cases where it is unable to provide consistent fuel supply to the motor. It usually sends the correct amount of fuel pressure from the tank to the engine, mostly in a range of about 30-60 psi in most vehicles. If the fuel pump starts to fail, it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, which results in erratic fuel flow and causes the engine to sputter, particularly during acceleration or at high speeds. A study by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) found that faulty fuel pumps account for 15-20% of all engine sputtering issues in vehicles older than 10 years.
The fuel pump can be compromised with problems such as clogged fuel filters, internal wear and tear, or electrical problems. For instance, a clogged fuel filter can impede the flow of fuel to the engine, and because of this, the engine will struggle for adequate fuel, thus causing sputtering. According to the SAE, fuel filters must be replaced every 30,000 miles to avoid blockages of this nature. Sometimes, a worn out or defective pump may not be able to maintain the required fuel pressure inside the system, leading to fuel starvation and, by extension, sputtering.
Besides, without fuel, there is likely to be a misfire of the engine; this translates to a combustion problem inside the cylinder. This is accompanied by an apparent loss of power that results in erratic behavior by the engine. According to a report in 2021 from the Fuel Pump Manufacturers Association, or FPMA, over 25% of the fuel pumps actually fail due to poor maintenance and fuel contamination alone, and how important the upkeep of your fuel system is.
According to industry expert Mike Smith, a senior mechanic at AutoCare, “When a fuel pump starts to go bad, it doesn’t always just stop working. Sometimes it just fails intermittently, causing inconsistent fuel delivery that leads to poor engine performance, including sputtering and stalling.” Such performance problems are most often associated with either an older or low-quality fuel pump that degrades over time, especially if a vehicle is not regularly serviced.
Most definitely, regular maintenance should involve testing the fuel pump in all motors that show signs of engine sputtering. A pump would usually be diagnosed by measuring its fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge. If this pressure falls below the lower range, then the pump is certainly faulty and should be replaced. You can visit the website for the Fuel Pump for further information on its replacement and diagnostics.