However, there are a few exceptions and contexts where you might encounter an external fuel pump:
* Older vehicles (pre-1970s): Some older cars and trucks used external fuel pumps, often mounted on the engine block. These were mechanically driven (by a camshaft lobe) and much more prone to failure.
* Some agricultural and industrial equipment: Larger pieces of equipment, like tractors and some construction vehicles, may use external fuel pumps, often due to the higher fuel flow demands or the need to draw fuel from a remote tank.
* Classic car restorations: Someone restoring an older vehicle might choose to keep the original external pump (though many opt to upgrade to an in-tank system).
* Gravity feed systems (very rare in modern vehicles): In extremely simple systems (like some very old or very small engines), gravity might be sufficient to feed the carburetor, negating the need for a pump entirely. However, this requires the fuel tank to be significantly higher than the engine.
In short, while they were common in the past, external fuel pumps are largely a relic of older technology and are uncommon in modern passenger vehicles.
