The fuel pump you use determines the type of car ride you get. Sometimes if the fuel pump is in a bad condition, you will notice there are noises being produced by the car during acceleration.
Finding the best fuel pump depends on your car’s set up. There are different types of fuel pumps meant for varying cars.
This variation entirely depends on the performance requirements for that specific engine. Improved engine performance is one of the reasons why a car consumes more fuel. A fuel pump’s life span depends on the fuel’s quality in terms of its components.
The fuel pump receives fuel coming from the fuel tank into the combustion chamber. Here, the fuel mixes with air and ignites to produce power for the engine. But first the fuel usually goes to the carburettor or the injector.
A fuel pump can last for a prolonged mileage without braking down. This entirely depends on the quality of the fuel pump that you purchase.
COMPONENTS OF A FUEL PUMP SYSTEM.
There are a bunch of parts within the fuel pump that affect how it works effectively.
1. Fuel feed pump.
This component sucks fuel from the tank, sort of like how a vacuum cleaner does it.
2. Mesh screen.
This is a part that contains intertwined metallic strings to make it look like a sieve. It works by filtering any particles that could penetrate the fuel pump from the fuel tank. This ensures that the fuel being pumped into the carburetor or fuel injector is free from impurities.
3. Metering pump.
It’s created to mimic a type of movement that pushes, pulls, jostles and spins the fuel. This mechanism creates some pressure for the fuel sucked by the fuel feed pump.
4. Fuel line.
This is the exit from the fuel pump because it empties to the fuel injector which leads to the combustion chamber. This fuel then ignites to create energy power for the engine.
TYPES OF FUEL PUMPS BASED ON FUNCTIONALITY.
Fuel pumps operate differently because they’re made differently to fit different fuel demands for varying engines.
1. Mechanical Fuel Pumps.
A while back, there were engines where fuel was fed directly from the tank to the carburettor. The carburettor is a technology that’s currently out of date. Including this type of fuel pump. The reason why these pumps were abolished is because they used to slow down fuel delivery.
Sufficient pressure is needed to pump the fuel into the combustion chamber. But carburetors were terribly slow. Mechanical Fuel Pumps are usually found in older model Vehicles that use a carburetor. Meaning their fuel delivery is slow due to low pressure.
1. Manual Fuel Pumps.
This pump uses manual mechanisms to suck fuel from the tank by creating sufficient pressure through gravity. Afterwards this fuel is transferred to the combustion chamber.
This type uses mechanical hand pumps which rotate vigorously to create necessary pumping force. The manual pump is one of the cheapest amongst all of them.
2. Electric Fuel Pumps.
This pump is unique because of how it initiates the fuel pumping process. They’re not as physical about the pumping process as the others. All they need is an electric current to help pump fuel.
Unlike the others, electric fuel pumps offer greater fuel pressure. Which can be tuned depending on the car owner’s preference. Hence offering more power to the car. Additionally, this creates better fuel economy for the Vehicle.
Further, this pump offers an advantage in terms of its usability. That is, it can be used without any mechanical connection to the fuel tank. Manufacturers that incorporate this pump simply place it inside the fuel tank.
A car explosion can be diagnosed as a fuel pump’s fault. But these electric fuel pumps offer added safety of minimizing any explosions.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS.
1. In-tank electric fuel pump.
When this technology was introduced, the electric fuel pump was placed inside the tank. This minimized the possibility of an explosion because the fuel is cooled when inside the tank.
The downside is when your tank runs low on fuel and the pump doesn’t get any fuel to be pumped inside.
2. In line fuel pumps.
They are mounted outside the fuel pump. It comes accompanied by balance and pressure sensors that prevent any explosions by cutting down fuel supply to the engine.
Further fuel pumps are categorised according to the amount of fuel they can pump per minute.
This separates them as either low, medium or high speed fuel pumps. Low speed ones pump 50 litters per hour, medium speed ones pump 70 litters. On the other hand high speed ones usually pump 90 litters per hour.
SIGNS OF A BAD FUEL PUMPS.
A faulty fuel pump does not transfer sufficient amounts of fuel into the engine. Further the timing of fuel release into the combustion chamber is usually off so the engine doesn’t get sufficient power.
1. Starting difficulty.
Every time the car is ignited, the fuel pump jumps into action. Because of this repeated action the fuel pump becomes worn out.
This weakens the pressure that fuel is pumped with to the combustion chamber. If the car won’t start it could be because of weak fuel pump pressure.
You will have more than usual cranks of the engine before the car starts.
2. Engine surging.
A faulty fuel pump will either send in excess fuel or limited amounts of fuel. Now if the fuel is in excess you will usually have engine surges.
3. Engine Sputtering.
When your car is at high speeds, the engine needs the fuel pump to increase the amount of fuel it’s pumping. This provides the engine with the necessary power for movement.
Under most situations, the engine will sputter before going back to normal operations. This gives time to the fuel pump to provide a reliable fuel stream for the engine.
4. Stalling at high temperatures.
The car’s engine sensors are equipped with the capacity to detect changes in temperature. Now if this happens, the on-board computer will display a thermometer dashboard warning light to alert you.
If the fuel pump isn’t working as it should this will cause engine temperatures to rise. But a malfunction of the engine cooling system components could cause the car to overheat hence causing it to stall.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A FUEL PUMP.
There are many buying criteria to consider before choosing a fuel pump. For example, compatibility, pressure and flow rate.
1. Fuel pressure.
Engine performance levels determines how much fuel your car needs. A fuel pump determines how much fuel flows as well as it’s pressure.
In this equation, fuel pressure comes before fuel flow. Simply because the amount of pressure that comes from the fuel pump determines how much fuel reaches the combustion chamber.
Fuel pumps are most effective when there is no/little pressure. On the other hand, an increase in fuel pressure causes a reduction in fuel flow. Hence the reason why most pumps have different flow rates per pressure.
Further, different types of fuels have different pressures. Hence the reason why you need a compatible fuel pump for the fuel your car uses. Otherwise, the fuel pump won’t last for as long as it should.
2. Engine performance purpose.
There is a chance that you‘re purchasing your fuel pump for either daily commute or performance purposes. These two types of engines need different types of fuel pumps.
If you don’t need high performance fuel pumps, you shouldn’t get one for your daily commute car. Because this will highly affect your car’s fuel economy.
3. Fuel pump location.
The ease of installation depends on where the fuel pump is to be placed. Some are placed inside the fuel tank while others are mounted outside the tank.
As stated earlier, the electrical fuel pumps are placed either inside or outside the fuel tank. But the others will depend on the one you choose.
4. Fuel pump durability.
Once more, this is entirely dependent on the engine performance you’re aiming towards. Most car owners will go for heavy duty fuel pumps yet it’s not necessary. Yet you will be expecting that the heavy-duty fuel pump will last longer than the others. That’s not entirely true.
Just find out what your car manufacturers recommend in terms of their input on your car. That will help you discover what your car needs in terms of engine power output.
Further, just consider the pump’s manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Simply just ensure that you buy fuel pumps from manufacturers who have a warranty on their product.
5. Pump Voltage.
First of all, let me mention that fuel voltage isn’t the same as flow pressure. Well, in some way these two terms are related but they’re not the same.
Here is how; when pump voltage increases, so does the flow. So, simply, one affects the other. Voltage is a very important consideration when you’re shopping for a fuel pump. Consider the voltage rating of the pump before you buy it.