Clark’s Car Care can inspect your fuel filter and replace it if it is clogged. You can prevent this from happening by having the fuel filter changed every 30,000 miles. A clogged fuel filter prevents the fuel from making its way into the combustion chamber. Consequently, this creates several engine problems that we will discuss below. Bring your vehicle to our shop if it is having any of the following issues.
Difficult Starts
It can be difficult to get your car, truck, or SUV started if the fuel filter is preventing fuel from making its way into the combustion chamber. Along with air, the engine needs fuel to produce combustion. If the engine cannot produce combustion, you won’t be able to get it started. Consequently, once the fuel filter starts to clog, it will get harder and harder to start your engine.
Misfiring/Rough Idling
There may come a point when you cannot get the engine started at all, but in the meantime, you will also have engine performance issues with a clogged fuel filter. For example, the engine will misfire and the idle will be rough. You may also experience a problem with the engine stalling right after you start it. Replacing the fuel filter will restore the engine’s performance.
Frequent Stalling
Speaking of stalling, if your engine is doing just that frequently, you may have an issue with the fuel delivery or worn spark plugs. The engine cannot maintain its performance if it does not receive a steady supply of fuel. Consequently, if the fuel supply is cut off by the clogged filter, the engine is going to stall. This can be frustrating, especially if you are driving in traffic.
Fuel Pump Problems
A clogged fuel filter can also create a problem for the fuel pump. Electrical fuel pumps have motors that can burn out if the pump has to work too hard to push the fuel into the engine. The clogged filter will make the pump work harder because there is resistance when the fuel meets the filter.
Fuel Pump Noise
In addition, you will hear the fuel pump make noise as it struggles to pump the fuel into the engine. Unfortunately, this can mean that the motor will burn out prematurely. It’s better to have the fuel filter changed when it needs it than to damage the fuel pump.
Call Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, if you think your fuel filter is clogged. We can replace it.