Repeat after us: I will have my fuel filter changed every 30,000 miles. It is important to change this filter to ensure that it does not get clogged and prevent your engine from starting. If you don’t do a lot of driving, you can have the fuel filter changed every two years. Either way, Stringer Auto Repair can change your fuel filter for you and also clean the fuel system for optimal engine performance.
Hard Starts/No Starts
A clogged fuel filter is going to make it difficult to start your car, truck, or UV. Unfortunately, the fuel cannot get past the clogged filter so it can be sprayed into the cylinders by the fuel injectors. When the engine is fuel-starved, it cannot produce combustion. Consequently, as the filter starts to clog, you will have difficulty starting your engine. Your engine will be dead once the filter is completely clogged.
Misfiring/Rough Idling
If your engine does start, you are not out of the woods. You will notice the engine is hiccupping and stuttering while you are driving it. Unfortunately, this points to a clogged fuel filter that is preventing the steady flow of fuel into the engine. Again, as the engine becomes more and more fuel-starved, it will have a problem producing combustion. This causes misfiring and rough idling.
Frequent Engine Stalling
This can also make your engine stall frequently, especially right after you start it and when you are sitting at an idle. What’s worse, your engine may stall and you may not be able to get it started again if there is not enough fuel in the cylinders for combustion.
Fuel Pump Malfunction
Unfortunately, you won’t realize this symptom of a clogged fuel filter until it is too late. Your car is most likely equipped with an electric fuel pump. Unfortunately, a clogged filter can make it difficult for the pump to get the fuel to pass through it. As such, the motor will exert excessive force in order to move the fuel into the engine. This can cause the pump to malfunction prematurely.
Noises in the Fuel Tank
A sign that your fuel pump is malfunctioning is noises in the fuel tank. The most common sound a struggling fuel pump makes is whining. If you hear whining coming from your fuel tank, drive straight to our shop.
We are Stringer Auto Repair in Johnstown, OH, and we are here to help. Give us a call today.
