Electric Fuel Pump
Electric Fuel Pump Is An Integral Part Of The Car
Modern cars are equipped with an electronic fuel injection system or EFI and the electric fuel pump is an integral part of this system. EFI systems operate better with higher fuel pressure, which older mechanical fuel pumps cannot provide.
The electric fuel pump creates pressure within the fuel system that pushes the fuel out into the engine. Any unused fuel is routed back into the fuel tank. By doing this, raw fuel is kept away from the hot engine reducing vapor accumulation.
The electric fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank and for good reason. Fuel in the tank helps to cool the pump and it is also unlikely for the electric fuel pump to start a fire since fuel does not explode in liquid form.
Electric Fuel Pump
However, because an electric fuel pump will run as long as it is switched on, the risk of leading into a dangerous situation increases in the event of fuel leak. To address this, newer cars are fitted with a safety feature that shuts off the electric fuel pump in the event of an accident or mechanical failure.
Electric Fuel Pump are durable
Electric fuel pumps are generally designed to last as long as the vehicle. Usually, it is the electric fuel pump relay that breaks down and not the pump itself. The fuel pump relay regulates the power going to the electric fuel pump from the battery. You can tell that an electric fuel pump is going bad if the vehicle is hard to start and/or if the vehicle is sluggish every time you step on the gas pedal. One way to check your fuel pump is to park in an area free of noise, turn the ignition key to the on position without starting the vehicle.
An electric fuel pump is not noiseless, so you should be able to hear a slight whine near the fuel tank. It is better to have someone else turn the ignition key so that you can listen near the fuel tank outside of the vehicle. However, to be really sure, the best way to check the fuel pump is to install a pressure gauge on the fuel line. If the fuel pressure is below the specified rating, it is time to replace the pump.
Common Causes Of Electric Fuel Pump Failure
The most common causes of electric fuel pump failure are; dirty fuel, driving with very low fuel, faulty wiring and in some cases, poor design.
Electric fuel pump failure can be very troublesome because it renders the vehicle useless and usually requires the services of a tow truck. Replacement electric fuel pumps can be expensive due to the fact that they are usually sold as an assembly. A fuel pump assembly consists of the electric fuel pump, filter or “sock”, the fuel sending unit for the fuel gauge, the housing, gasket and electrical connectors.
You can save some money by buying just the pump itself – that is, if you don’t mind dismantling the fuel pump housing, doing some wiring if needed, and assembling the whole thing back again. However, with less popular vehicles, this might be the only route to take.
