PRINCIPLES GASOLINE/DIESEL FUEL SYSTEMS - OD1620 - LESSON 1/TASK 2
(3) As  the   bellows   are  fully   expanded,   a   pair   of   contact  points   are
open, switching off the electromagnet.
(4) The   return   spring   pushes   the   armature   back   up   contracting   the
bellows.     This   action   pushes   the   fuel   out   of   the   pump   through   the   outlet
valve.
(5) The   contact   points   are   closed   as   the   bellows   are   fully
contracted.     This   causes   the   electromagnet   to   pull   the   armature   down   and
repeat the pumping process.
(6) The pump will stop when the fuel pressure is high enough to hold
the  bellows   expanded   against   the   return   spring.     The   operating   pressure   of
the pump is determined by the return spring pressure.
5.
Fuel Tank Ventilation Systems
a. Purpose.    The   fuel   tank   needs   a   ventilation   system   to   keep   the
pressure within it equal to atmospheric pressure.  This is important for the
following reasons:
(1) Air must be allowed to enter the tank as the fuel is pumped out.
Without ventilation of the tank, the pressure in the tank would drop to the
point where the fuel pump would not be able to draw fuel from it.   In some
cases, the higher pressure around the outside of the tank could cause it to
collapse.
(2) Temperature   changes   cause   the   fuel   in   the   tank   to   expand   and
contract.     Absence   of   a   ventilation   system   could   cause   excessive   or
insufficient fuel line pressure.
b. Configurations.  The most common methods of venting a fuel tank are:
(1) By venting the fuel tank cap to the atmosphere.   This method was
the most common on earlier passenger cars and trucks.   It still is used on 
vehicles   not   subject   to   emission   control   regulations   or   that   are   not   used
for fording.
(2) By providing a line to the fuel tank that vents the fuel tank at
a point high enough to prevent water from entering when fording water.
16