The pump (7) is provided with a body (16) having a compartment (17), and
with at least one pumping element (13) that moves in a cylinder (12) in
communication with the compartment (17), to raise the pressure of the
fuel. The pump (7) comprises fluid-supply means (14, 22) for delivering
the fuel to the pumping element (13), and an inlet mouth (26) made in the
body (16) and supplied with the fuel coming directly from an external
source (2). The inlet mouth (26) is fluidically connected to the
compartment (17) to supply it with the fuel in order to lubricate and/or
cool the pump (7) itself. Set between the inlet mouth (26) and the
compartment (17) are: a non-return valve (33) to prevent in any case the
pumping elements (13) from sucking the fuel from the compartment (17) of
the body (16); and a flow regulator (29'), which allows an amount of fuel
to pass such as to enable proper lubrication and cooling of the
compartment (17) and of the parts present in the compartment (17). The
fluid-supply means (14, 22) comprise at least one further inlet mouth
(24) made in the body (16) and fluidically connected with the pumping
element (13) by means of pipes (9).