| December 3rd, 2008 by admin |
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How Your Car’s Fuel Pump Works
How Your Car’s Fuel Pump Works
Out of sight, out of mind. That’s how most people treat their vehicle’s fuel pump. The fact is, there’s no warning light on your dashboard that tells you when to replace the thing. In most cases, you’ll discover the problem when you’re holding up dozens of cars lined up behind you. So, what exactly does this part do? Below, I’ll explain how this seemingly innocent component works and describe how it can ruin your day by malfunctioning.
What It Does And How It Works
Fuel pumps are used to transfer gas from the tank to the engine. Cars, trucks, and SUVs are typically built with the gas tank on one side and the engine on the other. The part basically serves as the bridge between the two. They work a little differently depending on the vehicle you’re driving. For older cars that use a carburetor, the part is mechanical. In cars with fuel injection systems, the part is electric and is typically found inside the gas tank.
Carburetors use a vacuum to suck in gas before delivering it to the engine. The pump helps the carburetor do its job. Fuel injection systems, on the other hand, work in a completely different manner; they spray gas directly into the engine’s combustion chamber. In that case, the pump isn’t needed to help create a vacuum. Instead, its job is mainly that of a delivery mechanism.
What To Do When It Fails
Like any component that is used constantly, it can eventually fail. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, you won’t be able to operate your car. It’ll simply die (and usually, at the worst time possible). One of the causes for this part to malfunction is the relay that sends power to it. In fact, if you take your car to a repair shop, that’s the first thing they’ll check. If the relay is fine and it’s working like it should, your mechanic will most likely just replace the pump.
In the event that your car dies and you suspect that this part is the culprit, don’t try to replace it yourself. Because it’s located within the gas tank, the entire tank often needs to be removed and the fuel lines need to be disconnected. The best advice I can offer is to have a technician do the work. Buying a new one will cost anywhere from $20 to over $200, depending on your car. The labor required to remove the old one and install the new unit will probably cost another $100 or more. It’s expensive. But, once it’s in, it’ll last for years.
Other Off Site Related Sources:
http://www.spectraauto.com/wordpress/
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