I’m Peter Jones, the founder of MotorAndWheels.com and also the proud husband and father of a little bandit who’s about as obsessed with engines and cars as his old man.
Today, we are focusing on the fuel pump, another vital part of any vehicle. Let's dive into what it is, its location, cost, and other vital details.
A fuel pump is a device that moves fuel from your car's fuel tank to the engine. It’s as simple as that. In most modern cars, fuel pumps are electric. Depending on whether your car turns on gasoline or diesel, the fuel pump's design varies a bit. But the role remains the same - to pump the fuel from the tank to the engine.
Fuel pumps come in two main categories: mechanical and electric. Mechanical fuel pumps are typically found in older cars. These look like small round metal devices with an inlet and an outlet port, featuring an arm that connects to the engine's camshaft, allowing it to move with the engine's rotation.
On the other hand, electric fuel pumps, common in modern vehicles, are small round devices about the size of a fist with various tubes to transport the fuel. They are often placed in or on the fuel tank. They might look a bit different depending on your car's make and model.
All cars have a fuel pump, as long as they run on gasoline or diesel. Electric cars are an exception here since they don't require fuel.
To access the fuel pump, you need to consult the car's manual, as the exact location can vary a bit. Sometimes, getting access to the fuel pump will require you to remove other parts of the car, like the seats or other interior parts.
Fuel pumps generally last quite a long time, often exceeding 100,000 miles. So, many times the fuel pump will never have to be replaced in a car. You can prolong its life by making sure the fuel level doesn’t drop below a quarter of the tank. This will help, as the pump needs to work harder when there’s little fuel left.
Discussing costs, a new fuel pump can cost between 600 and 1000 dollars, but if you're looking for a more affordable option, you might find one at a scrap yard for anywhere between 50 and 300 dollars.
If your fuel pump breaks down, you might experience difficulties in starting your car, as well as slow acceleration as the engine won’t get enough fuel or get it quickly enough. If the fuel pump fails entirely, driving the car won't be possible until it is repaired or replaced.
If you want to learn more about the fuel pump, there’s a link in the show notes to an article where I dive a bit deeper. There are also pictures to help you understand it all better. There’s also a link to an overview of all the main parts of the car so you can learn about them too.
Until next time, take care and drive safely!