Fuel pumps are great at moving fluids, helping the engine get the fuel it needs to run. However, they aren’t so good at pumping air. In fact, they shouldn’t, and it’s a considerable cause for concern. If there’s a leak in your fuel pump, this allows air to enter, causing air ingress inside.
This can cause a wide variety of problems for your engine, including loss of performance and internal damage. If your vehicle is currently operating with a leaking pump, here’s how the issue can be identified, and fixed, to get your engine running optimally again.
Where does the fault lie?
Air ingress happens inside the fuel tank, so internal components will initially be affected. This includes damage to the advance piston, housing, and advanced housing. Since the parts are metal, they’ll also contaminate the fuel pump in the process. If your fuel pump should fail due to air ingress, your warranty will be void.
What causes air ingress?
There are a number of ways in which a fuel pump can become faulty. It could be as simple as running out of diesel or just poor fuel management in general. However, some causes are more serious and will require immediate attention. If your supply pipes are damaged, that could be causing a lack of fuel reaching the pump. The same can be said if the tank breather and pick-up lines are also damaged or just clogged.
How can it be prevented?
Once you’ve fitted your fuel pump – which has either been repaired or replaced – make sure to check that the filters have also been replaced with genuine units. Ensuring that fuel reaches the engine requires multiple components, so make sure that all the fuel lines, filter housing and tank are all in full working order. Once your checks are complete, you’ll be able to get your vehicle back on the road. However, stay on top of your fuel level, or else you’ll encounter the same problem!
United specialise in repair of diesel pumps and injectors, delivering high-quality services to our customers. If you are currently having any issues with your engine, including troubleshooting the problem, get in contact with our team to see if we can help.
