Can a fuel pump get weak?
Because of how they operate (constantly running whenever the ignition is turned on) over time fuel pumps can eventually wear out and weaken. A weak fuel pump may still pump fuel, however the vehicle may experience difficulty starting as a result of the lack in pressure.
How long does it take for a fuel pump to flow?
The old rule of thumb that says a “good” fuel pump will flow about a pint of fuel in 15 seconds (half a gallon per minute) might still hold true, but some engines need more than this, and testing the flow on a pulse-width-modulated fuel pump might be impossible.
Is it bad to have a low flow fuel pump?
So if you get a pump that is flow rated at 0.4 GPM and you install it in a vehicle that requires 0.5 or 0.6 GPM, the pump may supply enough fuel at idle and low rpm, but may starve the engine at higher loads and speeds. Yet it is not a “bad” pump — just an under-rated pump for the application.
Why does the fuel pump need to be at high speed?
The volume of fuel delivered by the fuel pump to the injectors is also critical. Some pumps may develop adequate fuel pressure when the engine is at idle or running at low speed, but the pump doesn’t spin fast enough to keep up with the engine’s fuel requirements at higher speeds.
What causes a fuel pump to die before filling up?
If you make a habit of running your tank all the way to empty before filling up; your fuel pump will most likely die before its designed lifespan. This is due to the fact that when you shut off the engine with a low fuel level; the fuel can drain from the priming chamber designed into the fuel delivery system.
The old rule of thumb that says a “good” fuel pump will flow about a pint of fuel in 15 seconds (half a gallon per minute) might still hold true, but some engines need more than this, and testing the flow on a pulse-width-modulated fuel pump might be impossible.
So if you get a pump that is flow rated at 0.4 GPM and you install it in a vehicle that requires 0.5 or 0.6 GPM, the pump may supply enough fuel at idle and low rpm, but may starve the engine at higher loads and speeds. Yet it is not a “bad” pump — just an under-rated pump for the application.
How can you tell if the fuel pump is the filter or the tank?
It’s important to check the flow of fuel between the tank (s) and the fuel pump. Using the KTM 950 Adventure tank in the picture shown, we were able to confirm by opening the shut-off valve that plenty of fuel was flowing past the in-tank fuel filters and into the line that run to the fuel pump.
The volume of fuel delivered by the fuel pump to the injectors is also critical. Some pumps may develop adequate fuel pressure when the engine is at idle or running at low speed, but the pump doesn’t spin fast enough to keep up with the engine’s fuel requirements at higher speeds.