Your car may not start for plenty of reasons, including a bad fuel pump. But sometimes it is needed to start the car anyway to rescue or complete emergency purposes. So, how to start a car with a bad fuel pump?
You can still start your vehicle even if the fuel pump goes bad by using a fuel pressure gauge, external pressure, or keeping the car from overheating.
Read on to learn how to identify if the fuel pump goes bad, how to start the car, and how to prevent this hassle.
Contents
How to Know If a Car Has a Bad Fuel Pump?
The car shows some warning symptoms that indicate the fuel pump is going into failure mode. Some common symptoms are:
- Difficult to start
- Struggles to keep the car running
- Stall out during driving.
- The other signs of a bad fuel pump
- The vehicle cranks but won’t start instantly
- The car may stall, buck, or stumble during accelerating
- The car sputters at idle
- Engine power loss
- Poor gas mileage
- Fuel leakage
- The car bucks during accelerating from a stop
How to Start a Car with a Bad Pump?
Following the tips to start a car with a bad fuel pump is nothing but a temporary solution. So, after applying these tricks, if you keep using the bad fuel, it’ll damage the engine and cost an expensive repair. Hence, replacing the fuel pump is a permanent solution.
· Use a Fuel Pressure Gauge
A damaged fuel pump reduces the pressure required and may fail to deliver the required amount of fuel. This can change the air-to-fuel ratio of the engine and hinder its ability to turn on. To avoid this, use a fuel pressure gauge to determine if the fuel pump is faulty.
This’ll help start the car even with a bad fuel pump. Apart from that, it’s a handy way to determine the real problem with the fuel pump.
· Apply External Pressure
If the engine doesn’t get enough fuel, the car’s engine won’t start. In this case, applying external pressure can help the pump supply the right amount of fuel to start the vehicle. To apply this method, you’ll need an air mattress pump and a straight screwdriver.
You have to start by getting the screw off of the filter and pressing the pump around 4 times into the fuel line from the gas tank. Then remove the mattress pump and attach the fuel line quickly to the filter. Making a delay can let the liquid gush out.
Secure the screw to attach all the things and attempt to start the vehicle. The car should start now.
· Maintaining the Heat of the Car Engine
One of the most effective ways to start a car with a bad fuel pump is to keep the vehicle’s engine cool. If the engine cools off, the fuel pump will reset without needing any pressure. In addition, it’ll be better for you to make the car’s engine too hot or too cool.
The reason is that a significant amount of pressure will help turn the engine on and prevent the malfunctioning of the pump.
How To Prevent This Hassle?
Below are multiple tips to extend the life of the fuel pump and avoid the issues:
- Maintain the filters and the fuel system properly.
- Keep the fuel tank almost full.
- Maintain the vehicle and check it regularly.
Final words
As you have learned how to start a car with a bad fuel pump, I hope you can now rescue it in an emergency. But remember, this is only an emergency solution. Instead, replace the fuel filter before it’s too late and costs you thousands. For convenient driving for a long time, maintain your vehicle regularly and properly.