Unless you drive a fully electric vehicle, you need fuel to power your car, truck or SUV down the road. You fill up the tank when it's empty, but you may not think too much about fuel system maintenance. A good mechanic will let you know when the fuel system should be inspected and be able to make the necessary repairs if something is wrong. However, it always helps as a vehicle owner to know when you might have a fuel system problem. It's better to catch a minor issue early before it develops into something much worse.
Signs of Fuel System Problems
First, let's talk about the symptoms that may be telling you there is a problem with your vehicle's fuel system. Here are a few of the warning signs that you can look for:
Check Engine Light—This warning light can come on for almost any automotive issue, and it can represent a fuel problem. It's best to get your vehicle checked out to determine the source of the issue.
Loss of Fuel Economy—You may notice your MPGs gradually going down. Again, this could be caused by any number of things (engine, transmission, exhaust, etc.). Of course, this could also be a sign of something wrong within your fuel system.
Loss of Fuel Pressure—Your vehicle may seem slower to accelerate than normal or you may hear pops and backfires coming from your engine. This is often a result of fuel not getting to the engine as consistently as it should. There are numerous signs that you are losing fuel pressure.
Fuel Leaks—If you ever notice fuel leaking from under your car, it is a major problem that you will want to address immediately. It shouldn't happen and can be a very dangerous situation.
Causes of Fuel System Problems
What is causing your fuel system to have problems could be any number of things. You might have corrosion in your gas tank or other contaminants weakening the effectiveness of your fuel. You may have a clog, kink or damage to your fuel lines that is limiting the flow. One of the most common problems is a dirty or clogged fuel filter. It is there to filter out contaminants before they reach the engine. Over time, the grime it collects can start to affect the flow of fuel, or it just degrades to be ineffective at blocking the contaminants.
Fuel System Service
A general fuel system inspection is good to conduct at least once a year as part of a regular automotive maintenance plan. Your mechanic, auto shop or dealership can provide this service. When the time comes for maintenance, you can get a fuel system service. This generally involves cleaning the fuel lines and replacing the fuel filter, among other important maintenance tasks that need to be done periodically.
If you are having fuel system problems or are interested in getting a fuel system service in the Northern Delaware area, call Fox Run Auto today at (302) 597-9205 or schedule your appointment online.