High temperatures, vaporized fuel and insufficient cooling — all of these characteristics make the hot summer months especially brutal on a Fuel Pump. While fuel pumps are designed for a certain thermal envelope, extreme heat speeds deterioration of their internal parts, causing their efficiency to die and then eventually the pump itself.
In warm climates, this is why your fuel pump fails: it overheats. During running, the pump uses fuel in the tank to cool its motor. As fuel level drops under 25%, the pump is subjected to higher temperatures causing it to overheat. Research shows that driving in temperatures over 90°F (32°C) with low fuel increases the chance of pump failure by 40% because the pump runs dry.
In humid weather, another problem is vapor lock. That’s basically restricting the fuel flow because hot temps vaporize the fuel before it even gets to your engine. The pump is working harder against this obstruction, which increases the stress on its motor. Such an issue is very widespread in places like Arizona or Texas, where the summer temperature rises over 100°F (38°C) on a regular basis. During the summer months, mechanics in those areas are often reporting greater numbers of fuel pump replacements.
Hot weather also adds to the contamination of fuel. Temperature damage — the heat can damage the fuel, leading to its degradation into residues which clog the pump or fuel filter. The pump is really working at an increased capacity if a filter is clogged, restricting fuel flow. While changing the filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles minimizes this risk, long-term exposure to dirty fuel still makes it tough for the pump survive.
These challenges are brought to life through real-world examples. In fact, local auto repair shops documented a 20% spike in fuel pump failures during California’s extreme heatwave in 2021. Numerous drivers suffered from stalling or loss of driveability, prompting investigations that found the failures stemmed from overheating and vapor lock influenced by low levels of fuel.
A gauge can be used to test the fuel pump volume and pressure. If the pressure falls below what is considered normal (40-60 psi), it means the pump is having a hard time maintaining complete and consistent fuel delivery because it’s stressed or overheated.
If you had to replace a failing pump, using an eventual alternative such as Kemso Fuel Pumps means getting durability and quality even under extreme conditions. These pumps are used to work in hot climates and have reduced risks of overheating and consistent performance.
Read more on reliable replacement options on Fuel Pump. You can also avoid expensive repairs and keep your car on the road with proper maintenance and heat treatment.