Fuel pumps are vital in vehicles—they move the fuel from the tank to the engine. But not every kind of fuel pump will work with every type of fuel. It all will depend on several technical parameters of the pump, including the material, fuel type, and requirements for the car engine. Standard fuel pumps, for example, are made more for use on gasoline whereas a pump designed for an ethanol-based fuel is made from certain materials that do not wear out as fast from corrosion. Many studies conducted in the industry show that an incompatible pump reduces life expectancy by more than 50 percent, and every failure costs vehicle owners hundreds of dollars.
In contrast, racing fuel supplies — often defined by a high (or at least much higher than triple digit hp with carbs) level of power — can require an entirely different, much more specialized set of pressures, and pumps, delivering much greater flow rates, sometimes well in excess of 300 liters/hour. Normal pumps just aren't meant for these levels, and can lead to dangerously slow fuel delivery, or even engine damage. However, diesel has a higher viscosity and requires more durable pumps to accommodate it. Brands such as Bosch have also put money behind producing dedicated diesel fuel pumps that efficiently manage the higher viscosity of diesel fuels without sacrificing flow rate.
For example, ethanol-blend fuels such as E85, as used in some performance engines, would destroy a traditional fuel pump. Ethanol has the ability to corrode normal pumps that are not made of the correct materials leading to pump failures. He noted that in warranty claims, manufacturers such as Delphi have found that up to 40 percent of allegedly failed pumps in ethanol-fueled vehicles are the result of such a compatibility problem.
Can a fuel pump work with any kind of car? The simple answer is no — everything is specific to fuel type and accessorized in terms of pump design. Combined use is available on more advanced pumps but to achieve the best results, each type of fuel has to be pumped using a pump designed for its characteristics. For dependability, the vehicle manual or a reputable fuel pump provider must be consulted to verify these numbers. Fuel Pump