Yes, a clogged Fuel Pump can be dangerous; this is because such a block infringes on the very crucial delivery of fuel to the motor engine and may result in hazardous situations. The Fuel Pump works on the principle of always keeping a flow of fuel at constant specification pressures, which is generally between 30 and 80 psi, depending on the vehicle. This pressure drops drastically if the pump is clogged, causing the motor to stall, misfires, or even shut down the motor completely. This may result in highway accidents and loss of control when driving at very high speeds.
Fuel Pump blockages are common because of debris, rust, or a clogged fuel filter. Over time, contaminants from low-quality fuel or a deteriorating fuel tank can gather and build up, reducing the capacity of the pump to supply fuel properly. Moreover, this decreased flow not only affects the performance of the engine but also creates hazardous driving conditions. According to a study made by the NHTSA, "fuel system failures" include the blocked Fuel Pump, which contributes to about 2% of vehicle breakdowns on highways, some resulting in serious accidents.
A blocked Fuel Pump can also cause the engine to run lean, meaning the air-fuel mixture has too much air and not enough fuel. This leads to increased engine temperatures, which can result in overheating or even engine fires in extreme cases. When a Fuel Pump becomes clogged and cannot deliver adequate fuel, there is another type of fuel starvation that can cause engine damage, as well as damage to other parts like the catalytic converter. Repairs for this can be expensive, ranging from $500 to $1,500.
In 2019 alone, this included a string of recalls by key automakers like Subaru and Toyota due to malfunctioning Fuel Pumps that allowed vehicles to stall unexpectedly. Events like these underlined the possible dangers associated with fuel system blockages; this urged the manufacturers toward issuing safety warnings and replacing the defective pumps.
As Henry Ford, the founder of automobiles, once said, "Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success." This can be done by regular maintenance like replacing the fuel filter every 30,000 to 50,000 miles and using the best quality fuel to avoid blockages and thus making the Fuel Pump work properly.
To read more about the maintenance and safety of Fuel Pump, go to Fuel Pump.