There are a handful of engine and fuel system component problems that can be caused by a clogged fuel filter. J&M Auto Service can replace your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s fuel filter every 30,000 miles so you can avoid the following problems. If you are having any of the following problems, drive your vehicle to our shop right away so we can inspect the fuel filter and replace it if necessary.
Difficulty Starting the Car
It makes perfect sense that you will have difficulties starting your automobile if you have a clogged filter in the fuel system. Naturally, the fuel cannot make its way through the filter and into the fuel injectors to be sprayed inside the cylinders. When this happens, your engine may struggle to start or refuse to start. Replacing the clogged filter will reopen the flow of fuel into the cylinders.
Misfiring Engine/Rough Idling
In addition to the above, your engine is also likely to misfire and idle roughly when the fuel filter prevents the fuel from making its way to the injectors. In order for your engine to run, it must produce continual combustion. The cylinders need air and fuel for the spark plugs to ignite in order to do this. If the engine is being starved of fuel by the clogged filter, it will not run smoothly.
Problems With Stalling
In fact, you may start to have problems with your engine stalling all the time. This definitely points to a fuel-delivery issue. In addition to a clogged fuel filter, the engine may have a hard time receiving the fuel because the fuel lines are clogged, the fuel pump is malfunctioning, or the fuel injectors are clogged.
A Failing Fuel Pump
Unfortunately, the above are not the only problems that can be caused by a clogged fuel filter. The filter can also overwork the fuel pump motor and cause it to fail prematurely. Generally, you should get about 100,000 miles out of the fuel pump. If the filter forces the pump to work harder to get the fuel to flow through it, the motor will overheat frequently and fail.
A Noisy Fuel Pump
A sign that this is happening is noises coming from the gas tank where the fuel pump is located. You may hear whining or growling sounds coming from the tank that indicate that the fuel pump’s motor is being overworked.
J&M Auto Service in Tea, SD, can help, so give us a call today to set up a service visit.