What Is A Fuel Pump And Why Is It Important?
The fuel pump transfers gas from the fuel tank to the engine. You may not be familiar with what a fuel pump looks like because the pump itself is usually situated in the fuel tank. If your Mazda's fuel pump goes bad, it won't send enough fuel to the combustion chambers. This means you'll experience rough running and likely, over time, a complete breakdown.
How much do you really know about how your fuel pump functions? Enough to be able to diagnose the issues that wold arise if it fails? Read on to learn the tell-tale signs to watch for. We'll discuss every aspect of the fuel pump, starting with what it is, how it works, and why you should be familiar with this part.
Where Is The Fuel Pump?
Image Credit: DoIt_Vehicles
The fuel pump is typically located inside the gas tank. This may seem like a strange place to put it, but there are several key reasons for this:
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Gasoline doesn't conduct electricity, eliminating the risk of electrical shorts
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Lubrication from the fuel keeps the pump’s parts running smoothly
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The fuel cools the pump, improving its service life
So don't fret if you can't find your fuel pump when you're under your car. Its placement in a protected, enclosed location is intentional!
Mechanics Of A Fuel Pump
The fuel pump does just what you think - it draws gasoline from the tank and delivers it to the engine via the fuel lines. It is then injected either to the intake manifold or directly into the combustion chamber. In older vehicles with carburetors, mechanical fuel pumps were standard. Today's fuel-injected cars generally use electric pumps. These pumps are far more precise than their older counterparts, and help modern vehicles achieve the superior fuel efficiency we all desire.
An engine needs a very precise fuel/air mixture ratio to function properly. If this ratio is incorrect, it can run too rich, too lean, or simply not function at all. The fuel pump handles this job. It ensures that the correct amount of gas is always available to the engine and fuel injectors.
If the fuel is contaminated, fuel filter is clogged, or there is too little gas in the tank, your fuel pump can malfunction. You may notice poor acceleration, erratic idling, or a loud whirring noise coming from the fuel tank. You may need a little help diagnosing the issue to be sure it's your fuel pump that's the problem. Stay tuned to the next post is this series - we'll cover some troubleshooting tips and tricks that may be helpful.
Find OEM Mazda Fuel Pumps At REALMazdaParts.com
If you need a replacement fuel pump, only an OEM part will do. It is guaranteed to fit right and work just like the original. Using aftermarket parts can damage the rest of your fueling system, or prevent your Mazda from operating properly.
At REAL Mazda Parts we've been selling genuine Mazda parts online since 2014 and every OEM component is backed by Mazda’s manufacturer warranty.
Use our free Mazda VIN Decoder to find the right part first time. You can also contact us online and our expert team will quickly help you find the perfect replacement fuel pump for your Mazda.