Monday, March 31, 2014
Can a Failing Fuel Pump Cause a Vapor Lock
Several things can cause a fuel pump to begin to fail, such as electrical problems which can prevent an adequate amount of voltage from flowing through the circuit that supplies power to the fuel pump. The failing fuel pump can then cause other problems that vehicle owners should be aware of.
Vapor Lock
Residual fuel pressure should remain in a vehicles fuel system even if a fuel pump has quit running. However, a leaky fuel pump can allow the system to lose pressure rapidly. In hot temperatures, a vehicle can experience vapor lock if residual fuel pressure gets too low.
Pressure
After checking a fuel pumps pressure specifications, a test can then be performed to compare that with the current pressure being produced by the pump. A pressure reading that isnt high enough often indicates a weak and failing fuel pump.
Tests
There are several types of test that can be performed on a fuel pump to see if its failing, such as a dead pressure test which reveals the total output pressure of the fuel pump. Another test is called a fuel volume test which is helpful in making sure the fuel pump is supplying enough fuel to meet the engines needs.
