Fuel pump failure: many factors may contribute to this malfunction, but one of the most common culprits is a dirty fuel tank. 

Pollutants such as rust, sediment or other loose debris can gunge up the filter, seize up the turbine pump, or build up to greatly reduce fuel flow.

If your vehicle has traveled 50,000 miles and gets 25 miles to the gallon, then roughly 2,000 gallons of gas have gone through the tank. During this time, all kinds of debris can find their way into the tank from the pump!

FAQ: But what if I just replaced my fuel pump? 

When there are contaminants in the tank, the pump is forced to pull more current and amperage, which often results in a burnout. This damages even new fuel pumps that were just installed! Ensure better performance for your new pump by making sure your fuel tank is clean. An effective fuel tank cleaner, such as Berryman B-12 Chemtool Fuel System Cleaner (part #0116) will help to dissolve gum, varnish, and other fuel residues from the entire fuel system.

Did you know that dirty fuel tanks can also affect your gas mileage?

Cleaning your gas tank and using fuel cleaner from time to time is an important task to help prolong the life of not only your fuel filter, but your engine overall. And everyone knows that preventing a problem is better than attempting to fix it afterward!

So, if your vehicle has been sitting for a long period of time or if it’s simply running rough, then it may be time to mask up and clean the fuel tank.

A Guide to Cleaning Your Fuel Tank

Helping your fuel pump and fuel filter failure avoid failure shouldn’t take more than an afternoon! Just follow these 7 simple steps to cleaning your gas tank — no matter what engine you’re working on. 

Key tip: When your fuel tank is sparkling clean, refill the tank with fresh fuel, or be sure to filter the fuel that was in your tank pre-cleaning. This helps prevent contaminants from going back into the washed tank.

Continued maintenance helps prevent fuel lines from clogging up and will keep your fuel pump running stronger for longer. 

At Berryman Products, we are committed to producing the most effective and highest-quality products. We offer a wide selection of products to help all your engines stay in tip-top shape, and we are always ready and willing to answer any questions.