Yeah, a leaking Fuel Pump can certainly cause a fire hazard. The Fuel Pump is the very important part of a vehicle’s fuel delivery system; its job is to transfer the fuel from the tank into the engine at high pressure. If a fuel pump starts to leak due to a crack, worn seal, or other damage, it releases fuel onto the vehicle’s hot engine components, thus increasing the possibility of ignition. It includes one of the leading causes- fuel leaks- accounting for nearly 10% annually as provided by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA.
These are fuel leaks from Fuel Pump and mostly occur as time wears out the seal in the pump, to be more specific, at 10 years and more senior engines. When fuel leaks onto the engine, it may come in contact with heat-producing parts such as the exhaust manifold, spark plugs, or other ignition sources. Since gasoline is highly flammable, even small leaks can create a high level of risk, especially when driving in high temperatures or when the engine is under stress. According to AAA, fuel leaks are more likely to occur in older vehicles whose failing fuel systems make them 35% more likely to ignite than those that are properly maintained.
For instance, a well-known case occurred in 2018 when a Toyota Corolla was involved in a vehicle fire due to a leaking Fuel Pump. The fuel leak, which came from a damaged seal, dripped onto the engine and ignited a fire that quickly spread. The fire resulted in significant damage to the vehicle and the surrounding property, costing the owner $7,500 in damages.
When the Fuel Pump leaks, the fuel is often under pressure, and any ignition source or even heat can ignite a fire,” says Jane Roberts, an automotive safety expert at FireSafe Auto Solutions. “These leaks must be repaired immediately, lest disastrous consequences ensue.” Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard stipulates that the vehicle must be checked on a periodic basis for any issue with its fuel system. A leaking Fuel Pump should be treated as an imminent safety hazard.
An automotive news study concluded that directly connected vehicle fire incidents account for a total of 5 percent, with the majority linked to failure in the fuel system-most particularly, faulty Fuel Pump and fuel line. The higher the mileage on a vehicle, over 100,000 miles, without ever replacing major parts of its fuel delivery system, notably a fuel pump, the greater one’s chances.
When the Fuel Pump is leaked, the system should be thoroughly inspected. The evidences may include smelling gasoline, spots under the car, or some kind of fuel efficiency that goes down. Ignoring the warnings may lead into very bad situations since leaked fuel may cause fire or, even worse, the spilled fuel will also contribute to natural hazards.
The chance of leakage and the associated fire hazard could be reduced considerably by replacing a faulty Fuel Pump with a high-quality replacement, such as ones offered by Kemso. The seals on modern Fuel Pump are durable, with features intended to prevent leaks, and have been designed to achieve both performance and safety.