3 Fuel System Problems Every Vehicle Owner Should Learn To Recognize
Posted on: 12 January 2016
When you are looking at the components of a vehicle that make it functional, every last part of the fuel system is important. This is the system that pumps the much-needed fuel through the veins of your car's motor to keep it running. There are a few common fuel system problems that every vehicle owner should get to know right from the start.
Problem: Clogged Fuel Filter
Symptoms: A clogged fuel filter can cause some pretty telltale problems with the way your vehicle runs. You may notice that the car will not start as quickly and easily as it usually would. You may experience missing with acceleration and could even see your motor cut out at inopportune times, such as when you are taking off from a stopped position, such as at a stop sign or red light. A fuel filter is typically an easy fix by a mechanic, taking just a few hours to complete, even though the symptoms portrayed can be worrisome.
Problem: Leaking Fuel Lines
Symptoms: Leaking fuel lines can be much worse than just a mechanical problem; this issue can be incredibly dangerous because the risks of seeing a fire ignite beneath the hood are fairly high if fuel is coming in contact with some areas of the motor. Leaking fuel lines will show up in a few different ways:
- a strong smell of gasoline when the motor is running
- more gas consumption than usual
- missing during acceleration
If you suspect that your car has leaking fuel lines, it is not a good idea to drive it until the problem is fixed. Talk to your mechanic for advice and have the vehicle towed to the mechanic's shop for attention.
Problem: Low-Quality Fuel
Symptoms: "Bad gas" is rarely as big of an issue as a lot of people make it out to be. In fact, a lot of times, other fuel system problems are blamed on bad gas. However, it is possible to occasionally get fuel at a gas station that either contains water or contaminants that will cause your motor to run roughly. You may notice a lot of sputtering and missing or even that your motor smells different than usual when it is at an idle. Anytime you suspect that you do have bad gas in your fuel tank it is best to contact a mechanic (such as one from Professional Automotive) to have the tank drained and the rest pf the fuel system components checked for damage.
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