What Is The Most Common Cause Of Fuel Pump Failure?

We explained why a low gasoline tank might cause the fuel pump to fail early on. Today, we’ll discuss different factors. Gas tank-mounted electric fuel pumps are employed in modern autos. Replacing the pump is expensive due to its complexity. Extra caution may prevent fuel pump failure!

Causes of Failure	Description
Fuel Starvation	Low fuel levels strain the pump, risking damage due to overwork. Running out of fuel permanently damages the pump, hindering pressure production.
Fuel Contamination	Contaminants like corrosion and debris wear pump components, with smaller particles causing substantial damage. Strainer attempts to remove larger particles, but many smaller ones pass through.
Electrical Issues	Wear on the brushes and commutator, caused by fuel contamination, leads to increased amperage. Burned connectors and harnesses are standard, requiring careful connection checks before replacing the pump.
Insufficient Filtration	The fuel filter, part of the pump in late-model vehicles, is the first line of defense against contaminants. Clogged filters reduce fuel flow, causing symptoms like backfiring and stalling, potentially leading to fuel pump failure.

What is a Fuel Pump, and What Does It Do?

Fuel pumps used to be replaced without the level monitor or collection tube. Modern systems employ gasoline pump modules. Fuel pumps, internal wiring, anti-drain-back valves, and filters are in the fuel pump section. A trigger unit indicates the fuel level to the fuel level gauge. The module may include a gasoline filter. Usually, just gasoline pump units are available. Fuel senders and filters may be replaced separately.

Moving fuel from the tank to the injection system is what the pump does. It is the heart of the fuel pump section. A small motor with fixed magnets powers a built-in pump. The filter lets fuel into the pump. The fuel runs through the engine and out under pressure. The fuel pressure is significant, and the pump keeps it in a small range.

In older methods, there was a fuel pressure control in the front of the car. It took extra pressure from the engine’s fuel rail and sent it back to the fuel tank through the fuel pressure valve. This was helpful because it let the fuel cool down. Modern systems change the pressure by changing the pump’s power or using an internal opening to release pressure. When there is too much pressure, pumps with release valves dump it back into the fuel tank.

  

Common Causes of Failure

The fuel pump’s job is to get fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. It is a relatively easy job that is easily harmed when problems outside the pump stop it from working right. 

1. Fuel Starvation

Fuel must flow through the pump to cool and lubricate its components. Flow is needed to cool and lubricate the pump. Running short on gasoline is a leading cause of fuel pump failure. This is crucial for newer automobiles without gasoline flow return systems. Running out of petrol once might destroy this car’s fuel pump. 

Low fuel levels make the pump work harder to maintain pressure. The pump must draw in fuel since lighter fuel doesn’t force fuel into the pump. Low gasoline means less fuel to cool the engine and power the pump. Due to misuse and lack of cooling or lubrication, the fuel pump may be damaged.

2. Fuel Contamination  

Fuel is in danger from rust, dirt, and water, which can bring obvious contaminants into the tank. The tank itself is sometimes rusty and leaves behind rust bits. No matter what, the fuel pump pulls contaminants from the fuel tank. The filter on the pump will try to eliminate bits bigger than 70 microns. Many smaller bits (30–40 microns) get through and do most of the damage. The commutator and motor brushes wear down when debris gets into the pump.

3. Electrical Issues

This often happens because of the fuel pollution we discussed above; the motor needs more power to make the same pressure as the brushes and commutator wear out. The wires inside the fuel pump often get burned when the pump is under a lot of stress. Connectors and cables that are burned on broken pumps happen all the time. Before you replace the fuel pump, you should always carefully check the links. The new pump will break down quickly if you don’t repair a burned connection.

4. Insufficient Filtration 

As was already said, the filter stops big dirt and bits in suspension from getting into the fuel line. This is the first thing that keeps toxins out. When the filter gets clogged, it restricts fuel flow, leading to many problems listed below, such as backfiring, stopping, or slowing down. Even worse, it can kill the fuel pump in the same way that not having enough fuel does. Most newer cars no longer have fuel filters that can be replaced separately. The fuel filter is built into the pump and can’t be bought independently. This is bad because the fuel quality means you might need a new fuel pump if the filter gets stuck. Now more than ever, it’s essential only to buy good fuel.

Conclusion

The fuel pump gives the engine the fuel it needs to run, so any problems can make the car very hard to drive and significantly lower its performance. Don’t forget to keep the fuel tank at least ¼ full and change the fuel filter often if your car’s filter isn’t built into the tank. These simple steps can help prevent many fuel pump problems.

FAQs