To avoid the damage of the fuel pump in very hot or cold weather, it is necessary to keep at least a certain amount of fuel in the tank. The fuel inside the tank cools down the fuel pump during extremely hot periods. If it falls below one-quarter of the tank, the pump can overheat, and its efficiency could go as low as 20 percent. If overheating happens, one can witness premature failure, which occurs, especially during hotter summer months over 90°F. Keeping the fuel tank at least half full minimizes the possibility of pump damage by allowing more fuel to be circulated to take the heat away.
Cold weather, on the other hand, brings its own set of problems. Condensation may form inside the fuel tank at very cold or sub-zero temperatures and contaminate it with water. Water freezes inside fuel lines and constricts fuel flow, tending to overwork the pump. Commonly, a 10-15% drop in fuel efficiency ensues with the presence of water. A fuel additive that removes water or prevents freezing can prevent blockages that put extra stress on the pump.
Extreme cold is also important when considering battery maintenance. A weak battery will fall below 12 volts in freezing temperatures, a fact that impacts the fuel pump's ability to operate properly. Ensuring that the battery is fully charged and the alternator is operating efficiently prevents voltage drops that allow the pump to operate inefficiently or even fail. In fact, fuel pump efficiency can be as much as 10% less with every 1-volt drop in battery power, especially at cold starts.
It is also another effective method to use high-quality fuel. Poor quality fuel or highly ethanol-laden fuel, such as E85, is more corrosive in both high heat and severe cold periods. Ethanol has a tendency to attract moisture, furthering water contamination in extremely cold weather conditions that can cause clogged fuel injectors or lines. According to a 2017 industry report, in cold climates, vehicles operating on high-ethanol fuels had a 25% higher number of fuel system issues compared to those using standard gasoline.
Other fuel pump protection involves regularly changing the fuel filter. Over a period of time, filters may block with trash and water. They would most especially affect a time of fluctuation in temperature during seasonal changes. A severely clogged filter can cut fuel pressure as high as 30%, making the fuel pump to work harder than it ought to be. It might develop overheating or even failure.
More on protecting your Fuel Pump from extreme weather, log on to Fuel Pump.