Some fuel additives remorselessly boast better engine performance, improved mileage or some strange sounding things like they can clean up the dirty parts but still we wonder — Can those numbers damage out your fuel pump? That is a question that you need to address with an understanding of the facts and industry insights.
Most fuel pumps will maintain a range of pressure ratings from 30-85 PSI, based on the engine requirements for that vehicle. These pressure levels may be altered by additives which change the chemical composition of the fuel. Meanwhile, other additives in high concentration (such as ethanol blends over 10 percent) can cause seals to wear out prematurely on become corroded inside the fuel pump. Ethanol, for example by nature draw moisture into the fuel and allows water to enter the system, which will then in turn have a free run on corroding any susceptible open internal parts of your pump over time.
This is reminiscent of a widely cited example from the car industry. The early 2000s saw a spate of recalls by some car manufacturers due to the failure of fuel pumps in vehicles running very high ethanol blend. The recalls covered more than 1 million vehicles, which underscores how certain chemicals can wear down the fuel pump over time.
NOTE: Always use any fuel additive within its manufacturer recommended guidelines. Bosch, Walbro and most other fuel pump manufacturers warn against buying gasoline containing high levels of ethanol or any kind of corrosive additives. According to research data, the average fuel pump lasts roughly about 100,000 miles; improper additives can decrease its life tremendously.
This will help to a degree as brand name or car maker approved additives work well in protecting parts. For instance, consumers frequently point to Chevron’s Techron for being extra-special at running through the fuel system and cleaning it out without scoring any points with the fuel pump. If basic fuel system guidelines are followed, and the way additives interact with your fuel system is understood by you as a vehicle owner or fleet user, expensive repairs can be prevented to ensure that it (the car) operates at peak efficiency on things like new Fuel Pump for every mile of its life.