Abstract: A pump unit for feeding fuel, in particular diesel fuel, to an internal-combustion engine; the pump unit comprising a head (2) inside which a cylinder (3) is formed along an axis; a pumping piston (4) housed inside the cylinder and comprising a head portion (24) inside the cylinder and an opposite foot portion (23) projecting outside the cylinder; wherein the piston is slidable inside the cylinder in a reciprocating manner between a first position and a second position where the foot projects from the cylinder by a greater or smaller amount respectively; and wherein the outer surface of the piston comprises a portion (16) with a surface finish so as to have less friction and a greater lubricant-retaining capacity than the remainder of the outer surface of the piston; the portion extending along the axis between the head of the piston and a first intermediate point (17) in the first position of the piston, the first intermediate point being inside the cylinder.

Abstract: A pump unit for feeding fuel, in particular diesel fuel, to an internal-combustion engine; the pump unit comprising a head (2) inside which a cylinder (3) is formed along an axis; a pumping piston (4) housed inside the cylinder and comprising a head portion (24) inside the cylinder and an opposite foot portion (23) projecting outside the cylinder; wherein the piston is slidable inside the cylinder in a reciprocating manner between a first position and a second position where the foot projects from the cylinder by a greater or smaller amount respectively; and wherein the outer surface of the piston comprises a portion (16) with a surface finish so as to have less friction and a greater lubricant-retaining capacity than the remainder of the outer surface of the piston; the portion extending along the axis between the head of the piston and a first intermediate point (17) in the first position of the piston, the first intermediate point being inside the cylinder.