What drives a mechanical fuel pump?

A mechanical fuel pump is primarily driven by the camshaft. The camshaft plays a crucial role in an internal combustion engine, as it controls the timing of the opening and closing of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. In mechanical fuel pumps, a lobe on the camshaft pushes a lever attached to the pump, effectively creating a pumping action that draws fuel from the tank and delivers it to the engine.

This design is effective because it synchronizes the fuel delivery with the engine's operation, ensuring that fuel is supplied as needed during the engine's intake cycle. The connection to the camshaft allows for a consistent and reliable source of mechanical energy to operate the pump, which is essential for maintaining proper fuel pressure and flow to the engine.

Understanding the relationship between the camshaft and the mechanical fuel pump is vital for diagnosing fuel system issues and for maintaining proper engine performance. Other options such as the crankshaft are involved in engine function but do not directly drive the mechanical fuel pump, and the timing belt is primarily responsible for keeping the crankshaft and camshaft in sync rather than powering the pump itself. The fuel tank simply serves as a storage location for the fuel rather than playing an active role in the operation of the pump.