Typically, a fuel pump that shuts down after about 30 minutes of running is typically associated with overheating.PrimaryKey: Fuel pump shut-off frequent due to overheat? The pumps get hot when they run, and their way to cool is the fuel in the tank. If the fuel level is low, it can be forced into heat and tip-over re-closure after a while. When fuel pumps are made to perform on an empty tank for too long they can lose up to 20% of efficiency, so you can also expect constant shut downs in less than 10 minutes under heavy load.
Electrical problems often make fuel pumps stop working a few minutes after this. A bad relay or corroded wiring can cause sporadic power to come on the pump. At just a 10% voltage drop, the pump can no longer produce the required fuel pressure -- typically between 40 and 60 psi -- and experienced fuel starvation... causing to shut down. Update: For models more than 10 years old, it is a well-known work-around for turning on the AC for some time but, electronic relays have also been shown to fail in extreme temperatures with a faulty conditioned air relay and this only exascerbates that issue.
The wear of the fuel pump motor… The inner parts of the pump may wear down over time, which will cause friction and heat to generate near the pump until it stops working after a brief amount of time. Fuel pumps have a range rating of about 100,000 miles and they loose performance with age. After extended use, a worn pump could output 15-20% of its original power and hence cause these many shutdowns.
Clogged fuel filter is another factor. A clogged fuel filter reduces the amount of fuel passing through it to the engine, making your pump work harder. A blocked filter could cause the pump to stop working, perhaps to prevent overheating (running at max speed) because of reduced fuel pressure. Studies illustrate that 25-30% of fuel flow can choke blocked filters, and this is enough to decrease the movement of fuel from the pump into the engine; in certain cases, noam after a few minutes of activity.
Reasons for this happening could be because of overheating near external contaminations — such as driving in hot weather or under a heavy load. The pump can be forced to temporarily shut down when running at up to 20% increased temperature, such as from pushing on in extreme heat-to the point where it almost runs out of fuel.
For more information on fuel pump care, step by Fuel Pump.