The type of fuel used will influence the nature of a fuel pump in both performance and service life. Dirt, water, and various other sediments act as contaminants in fuel and can easily clog the fuel pump filter, which not only means less efficiency but also increased stress on the pump motor, over time. An example: According to research from the American Petroleum Institute (API), a slight increase in contaminants can decrease the efficiency of fuel pumps by as much time as 20% due to blockages impeding the free flow of fuel. This clearance reduces the effectiveness of the engine and it emits more CO2, making the fuel pump work harder thus reducing its lifespan and increasing repair costs.
We have suspected low-quality fuel that is often more and more mixed with ethanol saving environment, is not a good dose even if it is good for KEP – the internal combustion engines; eventually this will with time erode fuel pump parts. Ethanol sucks up moisture from the air, and that wetness can wreak havoc on components of a fuel pump, particularly in older cars that didn't have ethanol-blended fuel in mind in their (more sensitive) schematics. Motor Trend Found cars that regularly used gas with greater than 10 percent (E10) are at a higher risk for corrosion in the pump if the car was not designed for the ethanol blends. This can, in certain instances, cause a pump to fail and require replacement prior to 50,000miles.
Fuel quality is critical for high-performance engines that need accurate fuel delivery at elevated pressure. The vapor lock then occurs from the boiling of low-grade fuel in the lower pressure region of the fuel line, causing it to evaporate before reaching the engine, resulting in a stalling of the engine. This is more common in warmer climates and is catastrophic for engines that rely on high-pressure fuel systems to operate properly.
Maintenance costs are also a direct function of fuel quality. Wrong quality fuel not only causes the fuel pump to malfunction but can clog fuel injectors and damage other components of the fuel system. A regular fuel system cleaning (about $100 to $200) is required if low-grade fuel is used regularly. While higher-grade fuel does cost more, it can reduce these types of costs, allowing the overall life of the fuel system to last longer.
The availability of clean fuel as the global fuel quality continues to diverge. The first approach would be that the fuel quality does indeed affect a pump; better fuel = lower fuel system component wear + lower corrosion + more stable pressure. Drivers looking to maximize their Fuel Pump lifespan can improve vehicle performance and fuel system lifespan through a simple and low-cost step: using quality fuel.