The fuel pump is an important part of the fuel system, which acts to transfer the fuel from the tank to the engine at pressures that are required for economical combustion. It can either be installed in-tank or in-line, depending on whether it is inside the fuel tank or along the fuel line, ensuring that the fuel actually reaches the engine with sufficient pressure, usually between 35 and 65 PSI for gasoline engines, and often over 15,000 PSI for diesel engines, especially for those with common-rail injection. Thus, the pressurized delivery allows consistent fuel atomization-a process indispensable to acquiring just the right air-fuel mixture which powers the engine efficiently.
During a typical fuel system operation, the fuel pump draws fuel from the tank and pushes it through the fuel filter, carrying with it impurities that can be harmful to the engine. From there, the cleaned fuel moves along the fuel lines, reaching the injectors controlled by the engine's ECU, which in turn provide only that quantity of fuel necessary for optimal combustion. While a High-performance or turbocharged engine can require 20-30% more fuel, the Fuel Pump is going to have to have a high capacity to maintain pressure and meet the increased demands of the engine under heavy load or when rapidly accelerating.
Bad fuel pressure will seriously affect the performance and life of the engine. Low pressure in fuel can lead to misfires, poor acceleration, or even complete stalling since unduly adequate fuel upsets the mix of air and fuel required for ignition. According to Bosch, a leading fuel technology manufacturer, fuel systems operating at correct pressures can result in fuel efficiency as high as 15% more than in those systems where there are inconsistencies in pressure. This, in return, also reduces emissions and creates cleaner combustion.
The fuel pump is essential to modern vehicles, especially where electronic fuel injection requires high levels of precision. The fuel injectors spray metered quantities of fuel via the fixed pressure that the pump is supposed to give them; anything less, and performance will be compromised. As auto expert Scotty Kilmer said, "The fuel pump is the heart of your car's fuel system, pushing fuel exactly where it needs to go.".
Whether in a high-performance or a standard engine, the fuel pump plays an essential role in the fuel system. Its longevity towards long life in the fuel system will be further assured with its routine service, such as pressure checks and keeping the fuel filter clean