The fuel pump bearings fundamentally support the smooth rotation of the internal parts, impeller or rotor, inside the fuel pump, which highly influences its lifetime and efficiency. These bearings reduce friction and heat inside the pump to maintain fuel pressure, normally in the range of 30 to 80 psi, depending on the model of the vehicle. Without good bearings, the pump would be subject to excessive friction and resultant rapid wear and overheating, all of which could reduce its service life by as much as 30%.
Bearings in a fuel pump are designed to operate at high rotational speeds, normally in excess of several thousand RPM, to keep pace with the fuel requirements of the engine during periods of acceleration. Poor bearings make the pump work harder to maintain this speed, hence their efficiency decreases and may even cause fuel delivery issues. The pump can also produce unusual whining or grinding sounds when the bearing issues are giving it a battle-an early warning that the bearings are wearing down and are about to fail.
High-performance vehicles have much higher fuel demands and, correspondingly, higher pressure requirements. A performance fuel pump, with its robust bearings, easily sustains an increased flow rate, such as 255 liters per hour, without sacrifices to efficiency or stability. Conversely, at this magnitude of load, standard-grade parts may experience swift wear on the bearings, which leads to premature failure of a pump. For that reason, a mechanic will usually recommend fuel pumps with strengthened bearings for high-performance applications with the goal of ensuring reliability when under stress.
Proper lubrication is essential to fuel pump bearings; it reduces friction, hence increasing the life span of the pump. Dry bearings due to fuel contamination or eventual wear and tear generate a lot of heat that causes them to deteriorate rapidly. Replacements of the fuel filter, ideally every 30,000 to 50,000 miles of running, keep the contaminants out of the system and reduce bearing wear, preserving pump efficiency.
As Carroll Shelby once said, the great automotive innovator: “Performance is all about power and precision.” Quality Fuel Pump bearings ensure both by supporting smooth, efficient fuel delivery. For durable fuel pump options designed for optimal performance, visit Fuel Pump.