Ever wondered what a fuel pump is? A fuel pump is a basic component of a car and other devices with internal combustion engines that moves fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor or fuel injectors. Some engines use gravity instead of fuel pumps to move the fuel from the fuel tank through a hose. However, some engines need fuel pumps to transfer the fuel to the carburetor or the fuel injectors.
An internal combustion engine combusts fuel and air in a combustion chamber. The reaction creates hot and pressurized gases which expand. These gases then act on rotors, pistons and other parts of the engine to produce useful work for the machine. An internal combustion engine needs a fuel tank to store the fuel that it uses. It also needs a carburetor or fuel injectors to mix air and fuel, so that a combustible or explosive mixture is produced. The fuel pump’s purpose is to bring the oil from the fuel tank to the carburetor.
Before fuel injectors became popular, most engines used mechanical fuel pumps. These pumps create negative pressure to extract fuel. However, a common problem that emerged was that fuel vaporized in the supply line because of the low pressure between the fuel tank and the pump. Instead of sucking liquid fuel, the pump sucked in vapors, which caused the engine to stall.
These issues led to the development of electric fuel pumps which work more efficiently at higher fuel pressures. Electric pumps are usually located in the fuel tank. They ensure a steady flow of fuel to the carburetors or fuel injectors, and they also cool the pump. It is safe to submerge the electric pump in the fuel tank because liquid fuel does not explode when ignited.
A damaged or clogged fuel pump will stall your engine. You should always check if your fuel pump is in good condition. If not, you should clean it or replace it with a new one. You can also lubricate it to make it perform better. Maintaining the fuel pump will keep your vehicle running smoothly.