Yes, a faulty Fuel Pump can eventually cause your car to stall mid-drive, and it is way more common than most car owners would imagine. It works by pumping fuel towards the engine at a particular pressure, usually around 30 to 60 psi in most vehicles. If the fuel pump happens to fail or malfunction completely, it cannot maintain the suitable fuel pressure, which results in fuel starvation in the engine. This lack of fuel delivery can cause the engine to sputter, lose power, and eventually stall, especially under heavy load, such as during acceleration or when climbing a hill.
Studies show that nearly 20% of engine stalling cases reported in recent years are linked to faulty Fuel Pumps. A normal Fuel Pump flows a quantity of about 40 to 50 liters per hour. An engine may fail in the combustion process with its required air-fuel ratio when it does not fulfill this requirement. For example, in a clogged or defective fuel pump, fuel delivery is cut down by around 30%, which causes impairment to poor performance and can completely stall an engine.
In real-world cases, such as a 2017 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many drivers have experienced stalling issues due to Fuel Pump failure, particularly in vehicles with high mileage or those using low-quality fuel. These vehicles were often unable to maintain the required fuel pressure, and the engine would cut out unexpectedly while driving.
Additionally, when the fuel pump is malfunctioning, it may cause irregular and erratic fuel pressure that can cause immediate drops in engine power. For instance, the normal 50 psi on your car’s Fuel Pump sometimes drops to as low as 25 psi during acceleration, which could cause the car to stall mid-drive. Frequently, this situation worsens with growing engine temperature, whereby every increase in temperature aggravates the inability of the pump to supply enough fuel.
Preventive measures include routine maintenance of the Fuel Pump, fuel lines, and fuel filter. Yet, due to the carelessness of many drivers, such negligence leads to more serious damage. For example, if the Fuel Pump becomes clogged, it may cause the car to stall, which will reduce the overall performance of the engine and lower fuel economy by 15-20%. Therefore, a timely repair of the Fuel Pump can save one from costlier repairs and ensure a smooth drive.