How Do You Know If Your Fuel Filters are Clogged?
Fuel filters are a part of the fuel system on cars. They are designed to trap and filter dirt to ensure that the fuel your car runs on is clean. Usually the fuel filters are fitted somewhere between the carburetor and fuel tank along the fuel line. There, they trap wastes, water and other materials that do not belong in the carburetor or fuel tank, and help to prevent problems from occurring. However, fuel filters can become clogged and this can adversely affect the functioning of your vehicle.
Your Car Won't Start
A car that doesn't start is an obvious sign of fuel filter issues, but make sure to look for a couple of key indicators that a clogged filter is the problem. Sometimes the engine will turn over; other times it may not. A filter might be clogged completely if you turn the key in the ignition and get no response whatsoever from your engine. On the other hand, if your engine gets an initial bit of fuel, it might turn over once or twice before choking. When your vehicle simply doesn't get enough fuel injected into it to ignite, it will often turn over somewhat normally, but the engine won't fire up. Even tiny particles or bits of sediment lodged in the right places might cause this problem, so replace the filter before causing damage to your vehicle.
Stalling or Idling
You're driving along, and all of a sudden your vehicle's RPMs drop rapidly. You're stopped at a light and your car bucks, then stops. Both of these are signs of a clogged fuel filter. Because the aptly named fuel filter's job is to sift out the debris and dirt from fuel that might find its way into your vehicle, a clogged filter does not allow enough gasoline to squeeze through your engine. If your engine is only getting a thin stream of fuel, or is only receiving fuel sporadically, your car will behave poorly. Be careful, however, if your fuel filter is checked and clean but your car continues experiencing problems---other electrical and mechanical issues may be the root cause of your stalling vehicle.
No Gas
Just because a vehicle starts doesn't mean it's going to continue running smoothly. Because a clogged fuel filter reduces the intake of fuel into your car's engine, it might be getting just enough juice to begin running and then it will start to pull back when you try to accelerate. If you fear that your filter is clogged, observe how your car accelerates: If it takes extra time to get up to speed, if it sputters before finally jerking into acceleration, or if you need to put the pedal to the metal to get it moving at speed on the highway, your filter is probably the issue. Take note, however---this problem must be adjusted as soon as possible. Your car isn't built to struggle just to get up to speed with the other vehicles on the road. Doing so puts an incredible amount of strain on your vehicle's engine as it tries to overcompensate.
__________________
Unauthorized decoding of encrypted signals from either domestic or foreign providers is against the law.
>>>I personally do not, nor condone such activities<<<
|
10-19-2009, 01:47 AM
Similar Threads
Linear Mode
