FUEL PUMP WITH INTEGRATED PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

A fuel pump comprises a housing with a pumping chamber, an outlet passage and a pumping plunger which is reciprocally arranged within a plunger bore. A pressure relief valve assembly is arranged in a pressure relief passage and includes: a seat member comprising a through bore extending from a first side to an opposite, second side, and an annular seat in the second side surrounding the bore, wherein the seat member is arranged in the pressure relief passage with the first side exposed to high pressure; a needle having an elongate shaft with a needle head, which extends through bore, the needle head being proximal the seat member and having an annular seat surface adapted to cooperate with the annular seat to close the through bore in a closed position; and a spring element arranged to exert a closing force on the needle such that it is biased in closed position.