Does a Bad Fuel Pump Affect Emissions? So the short answer…yes, your fuel pump failing can affect your car's emissions. This is the job of the fuel pump: to deliver the correct pressure of fuel to ensure it gets burnt correctly in the engine. If the pump is failing, it can cause a variance of the air-fuel mixture that will result in incomplete combustion which results in more pollutants being released into the environment. According to a survey, if the fuel pump in your vehicle is not working properly then it can result in up to 30% more admissions over vehicles with efficient systems.
The main problem with a bad fuel pump, is that it will make your engine run lean (not enough fuel in the mixture - too much air). This can lead to increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, one of the primary contributors to air pollution. Emissions testing often includes citing vehicles with higher levels of NOx, which violate legal environmental standards. Fuel-related issues, such as malfunctioning pumps account for around 20% of emissions failures according to industry experts.
The automotive industry uses the term “lean fuel mixture” to describe this unbalance. A fuel pump that is weak will not be able to retain the pressure required for the injectors to operate properly and can therefore result in an insufficient amount of fuel being delivered. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that vehicles with faulty fuel delivery systems can emit up to 50% more carbon monoxide (CO), which contributes to pollution in urban areas.
A leading car manufacturer was forced into recalling more than 200,000 vehicles when it emerged that defective fuel pumps were making them too polluting. The problem came from the fact that the faulty pumps could not keep fuel pressure high enough, meaning more unburnt hydrocarbons (HCs) were exiting through the exhaust system and adding to smog.
To quote the equally powerful Rachel Carson, a celebrated environmentalist: — “Rather it is of a dimension with exorcisms from evil spirits or Ninth Nights and New Moons... ” If a vehicle is already past its mileage limit for the failing fuel pump, it should immediately be fixed to ensure that it operates and emits at its best.
In terms of cost, well… let's see: a fuel pump replacement could be anywhere between $500 and $1,000, but the trickle-down financial effect of additional emissions is tougher to gauge. For example, a failed emissions inspection can result in a fine or demand for even more repairs. Aside from that, wasting fuel delivery can also drop gives 20% less fuel economy and in higher costs of the whole time spent.
So yes, in conclusion, a bad fuel pump can negatively influence the emissions of a car because it screws up the air-fuel mixture and causes less than full combustion. Keeping your fuel system well maintained can prevent this from happening. Fuel Pump is a website all about Fuel Pump and Emission Control.