The fuel pumps are different in design for both diesel and petrol, since each fuel bears some unique properties that make it very critical that the fuel system be implanted with the right type of pump. Diesel fuel pumps work under different pressure requirements, constructed to handle the higher viscosity of diesel fuel, which is normally much thicker than gasoline. Diesel engines require pumps, which, in a high-pressure common rail system, can make up to 30,000 PSI, while on the other hand, gasoline pumps work at far lower pressures around 40-60 PSI.
The main problems start to arise when a gasoline Fuel Pump is installed in a diesel engine or vice versa. The electric fuel pump for gasoline engines cannot function due to the thicker consistency of diesel, whereas it may wear out or fail much sooner when a gasoline pump is used. On the other hand, a diesel pump being used in a gasoline system might just give too much pressure when the injectors are overwhelmed, leading to inefficient combustion.
Such an issue is evidenced by a recall involving more than 80,000 vehicles from Volkswagen in the year 2019 due to inappropriate Fuel Pump usage. Many vehicles were installed with wrong kinds of Fuel Pump, which resulted in issues like troubled performance of the engine, stalling, and fuel leaks in some cases. This shows how critical the compatibility between the Fuel Pump and the fuel type is.
Another critical difference is in the materials of each type of Fuel Pump: diesel contains more sulfur and is more lubricating than gasoline, which can, over time, have consequences for seals, gaskets, and other internal parts where an incorrect pump is fitted. The modern Fuel Pumps for the flex-fuel vehicles are sometimes able to handle both diesel and gasoline, but they are specifically engineered to achieve such a feat.
As once said by David Vizard, an automotive expert, "Matching your Fuel Pump to your fuel type is not a recommendation; it's an absolute necessity for proper function and longevity of the engine." As you use the right pump, you won't have to spend a great deal of money on damages but you can save money and keep your car running efficiently.
To get more details on the selection of the right Fuel Pump according to your fuel type, log on to Fuel Pump.