It used to be the case that if fuel pump leaks started a fire, leaking petrol was an extremely flammable danger. Because it has a flashpoint of around -45°F (-43°C), gasoline ignites easily at relatively low temperatures, even when near an ignition source. Where leakage in a fuel pump creates the potential danger of fire, either gasoline or vapor can accumulate and ignite adjacent to engine parts, exhaust systems or electrical wiring and fire could spread. According to the National Fire Protection Association, of the 1.2 million fires reported each year vehicle fires make up around 15% of that number with fuel leaks being one major cause for them.
A small leak may allow gasoline to exit under pressure at a rate of just a few drops per minute, but even this small amount can easily produce an explosive atmosphere if the vapor is dome and it accumulates. Gasoline vapors are often much easier to ignite than liquid gasoline, meaning a higher chance of fire. This is a warning sign of leak, and mechanics advise that if there is smell of gasoline solution must not be stemmed. One professional tells us that “A fuel leak is a safety issue, not a minor problem.”
Older cars are also affected by fuel pump seals and connectors that erode with time, just like any other part on the car, due to repeated exposure of fuel or heat. The seals gradually go bad and sooner or later will begin to leakfuel — slowly enough at first that you might not notice it, but quickenough to let loose fuel at pressures in the neighborhood of 30-60 psiin a typical fuel-injected system. Changing those worn out seals/fuel lines/connectors as a preventative maintenance item will make the car leak and potential fire hazards less of a thing.
Besides the danger presented by leaking fuel, a leak in this location also beings to threaten the performance of the fuel pump itself as harder work is required by the unit to maintain pressure causing it often to wear or fail at an early stage. The sooner you find and repair a leak, the safer your vehicle will be and the better it will run. To find out more about a dependable and suitable fuel system, go here: Fuel Pump.