You change your oil regularly, get the tires rotated, and even have the brakes inspected, but what about the fuel system services? Most drivers don’t think about this system because it doesn’t need a ton of maintenance. This said, it does need to be maintained just like the other systems in your automobile. Ultimate Auto Repair notes that there are signs your fuel system is dirty. Here’s what they are so you can keep an eye out for them.
Signs of Fuel System Trouble
Because your fuel system is responsible for delivering the gasoline from the tank to the engine, your engine’s performance will suffer if something is wrong. For example, if the system cannot push enough gas through to the engine because the filter or injectors are clogged, your engine will lag and could even stall. If the engine is getting too much gas because the fuel pump is stuck open, the engine will surge or stall because it’s flooded. Signs that these are happening include
- Rough starts or a dead engine
- Rough idling
- Power loss when under stress
- Sluggish acceleration
- Power surges followed by losses
- Gasoline smells
Check your owner’s manual to see how often you should have your fuel system cleaned and maintained and then stick to this schedule. If you do not know the last time you had a fuel system service, it’s probably time for one. The general rule of thumb is every 60,000 miles or three years, whichever comes first, but if you drive a vehicle with a high-performance engine, you might need fuel system cleanings more often. We’d be happy to take a look at your fuel system to see if it’s dirty.
Fuel System Service
Fuel system services clean the fuel system. The reason why fuel system cleanings are necessary is because of a natural process that happens in your vehicle’s combustion engine. Although extremely efficient, combustion engines come with one caveat: carbon buildup. Carbon buildup is a natural side effect of combustion, and this buildup is what clogs your fuel injectors and other fuel system parts. Natural sediment in gasoline also clogs the fuel filter. As such, a fuel system cleaning includes
- Fuel injector cleaning
- Throttle body fuel varnish removal
- Valve fuel varnish removal
- Changing the fuel filter
- Fuel tank moisture removal
A clean fuel system is efficient and boosts engine performance. The service also helps us inspect the fuel pump for signs of age-related failure. As with other preventative maintenance, fuel system cleanings prevent fuel system breakdown, so call Ultimate Auto Repair in Jackson, MI, to schedule your fuel system service.
