Some fuel pumps can also be cleaned and reused, although it all depends on the condition of the pump and what contamination is removed. The majority of stock fuel pumps are running what will be a high pressure system, upwards of 60-80 psi, so even a slight obstruction can greatly hinder fuel flow and thus the performance of the engine. Cleaning a fuel pump usually refers to removing debris, residues that usually form over time, typically due to sediment or low-quality fuel clogging the internal filter or mechanisms.
In cleaning something like a fuel pump, it is necessary to use a specific cleaning solution that breaks down the fuel deposits without dissolving the fuel pump itself. As an example, numerous car specialists advise fuel system cleansers that attack carbon deposits and also varnish. Though cleaning is more useful with fuel pumps that have no serious mechanical wear to overcome, as a worn-out pump with a damaged gear or brushes won’t be saved by a quick clean.
Liquid cleaning is useful for a small amount of sediment, but if you need to clean ultrasonic. Ultrasonic cleaner uses high-frequency sound waves to dislodge contaminants from difficult-to-access regions within the pump. Sonic cleaning is especially popular at automotive workshops because it provides the means to clean complex components without full disassembly. According to a report Automotive Service Magazine, ultrasonic cleaning can restore the efficiency of the fuel pump to around 80 percent (in non-mechanically-worn fuel pumps).
Nonetheless, for a heavily contaminated or very old fuel pump, cleaning is not always the way to go. A fuel pump should last around 100,000–150,000 miles, depending upon fuel quality and driving conditions. Pumps that have travelled more than this distance may be suffering internal wear that even cleaning cannot resolve and offer less certain performance for replacement. Replacing the Fuel Pump offers a permanent solution and avoids problems that partially restored or old pumps may cause for drivers in the long run.
So basically, unless fuel pumps are slightly contaminated, cleaning them is only a temporary solution from which they can recover easily – in case of serious clogs or mechanical wears, replacements are your only salvation. The performance of reusing a pump is dictated by the pump (its condition), amount of cleaning done, and the consistent need for fuel delivery in high-demand engines.