How Are Fuel Pumps Constructed?

Of the many sensors and pumps a car engine has, fuel pumps are actually designed to pump very specific amounts of fuel at specific pressures and flow rates into the engine. Of an electric water pump, they normally represent few main elements: motor, impeller, pressure making device, housing and inlet / outlet fittings. The motor, usually electric, powers up the impeller to create suction and get the fuel into the fuel lines from the tank. They are tuned to run at near 12 volts with a steady output and will regulate pressure for 40-70 PSI for normal fuel injected engines.

The impeller, typically constructed from rugged materials such as stainless steel or engineered plastics, spins at high velocity and produces a vacuum that sucks fuel into the pump. This impeller therefore needs to be within strict tolerance specifications, frequently within 0.01 millimeter in order to function effectively without high friction resulting in overheating. Impellers in high-flow rate fuel pumps are built to deliver in excess of 250 liters per hour (LPH) especially useful for turbocharged engines or cars with upgraded fuel injectors.

Housing Construction: As a function of everything else as well, even if you live in a part of the world that occasionally has acid rains, corrosion resistance is evidently a primary consideration, which is why aluminum or anodized metals are commonly used so as to deal with the exposure to both low and high concentrations of the various fuel types (even ethanol blends). The housing surrounds the internals of the pump, providing protection and assuring parts are correctly aligned to maintain efficiency. The housing is designed to be capable of withstanding up to 200°F for extended life in all driving conditions, and meets or exceeds industry standards.

Because excessive pressure may lead to a pump failure, all pumps contain a pressure relief valve that allows the pump to circulate fuel back into the tank when it reaches an upper limit. This valve prevents an overload of your fuel lines and injectors from a backflow, ensuring that the flow is steady and not damaging.

As automotive expert Ed China explains, “A fuel pump is only as good as the way it is built,” which means that every part must work together. A good quality Fuel Pump consists of these accurate parts and supplies proper fuel to the engine, which aids the efficiency of the pump and the life of the pump.

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