Fuel filters and fuel injectors… how much do you know about them? If the thought of having your vehicle’s fuel system cleaned seems foreign to you, you’re not alone. The majority of vehicle owners don’t give the maintenance of the fuel system much thought, until they begin to have problems with engine performance. A fuel system that becomes dirty or compromised can greatly affect power, performance and fuel economy. And, not only will you be spending more at the pumps, you will end up having to replace other engine parts prematurely and/or needlessly.

The fuel system is comprised of the gas tank, fuel pump, fuel lines, filters, and fuel injectors. They all work together to deliver the right amount of clean fuel to the engine so it can be ignited by the spark plug at just the right time. When one of these parts becomes faulty, the ability for the engine to receive the proper amount of fuel is compromised. This, in turn, will cause a lot of problems with engine performance. Anything that affects the ability of the fuel/air mixture to combust at the right time will cause other issues with the engine, including problems with the exhaust system. That’s why it’s extremely important to make sure you maintain the fuel system.

When it comes to the fuel system, here are some of the things that can go wrong:

• A clogged fuel pump screen filter. Anything that prevents the fuel pump from sending the proper amount of fuel to the engine causes problems. You may find that you have problems starting your vehicle. You may also experience backfiring, stalling and your vehicle will hesitate when you try to accelerate.
• Low voltage to the fuel pump. Your vehicle’s electrical system provides power to the fuel pump. If the car battery is beginning to fail or the wires leading to the fuel pump are faulty, the fuel pump won’t be able to deliver the proper amount of fuel to the engine.
• Cracked or clogged fuel lines. Have any cracked or clogged fuel lines replaced.
• Old, clogged fuel filter. In time, all fuel filters will get dirty and need to be replaced. Some say a fuel filter should be replaced between 20,000 and 40,000 miles. Others say that because fuels are cleaner, the time frame for replacing one can be extended. When you bring your vehicle in for fuel system service, ask us about when you should have the fuel filter replaced.
• Old fuel injectors. Like the fuel filter, fuel injectors will get old, clogged and need to be replaced. The typical replacement mileage is between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. This time frame can be decreased or lengthened depending on the quality of gas you use and whether or not you have the fuel filters cleaned.

One last important item to note… try not to let the gas tank be close to empty before you fill it up again. Doing so will allow sludge and dirt to get into the fuel system. Instead, fill up when the gas gauge shows that there is at least ¼ of a tank left.

The best way to make sure your vehicle is operating its best is to maintain all the engine components, including the fuel system. Schedule an appointment to have your fuel system cleaned by the auto technicians at Colonial Service Station in Staten Island, NY.