The invention relates to a single-stage or multistage suction jet pump comprising a propelling nozzle (5), one or more suction nozzles (2), a diffuser (7), and a volume flow limiting valve in or directly in front of the propelling nozzle. The volume flow limiting valve has a valve element (4) in the overpressure region (1) of the suction jet pump, said valve element having an opening (8) with a cross-sectional area which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the propelling nozzle (5). The valve element spans at least one additional gap opening (9) which first releases the cross-section of the gap opening (9) when the pressure difference between the overpressure region (1) and the suction region (2) increases and which switches in the event of a defined large pressure drop and the valve element (4) reduces or closes the cross-section of the gap opening (9) such that the volume flow flowing over the opening (8) is limited to a defined level even in the event of a further increasing pressure difference.