A clogged fuel filter can cause all sorts of engine problems. We will discuss these problems below. To prevent your car’s fuel filter from getting clogged, have it changed every 30,000 miles. In addition, have the fuel system cleaned to remove dirt and grime from the hoses and carbon deposits from the injectors. If these parts clog, you will also have the following problems.
Hard Starts/No Starts
You may find that starting your car is a non-starter if the fuel filter or system is clogged. As you can imagine, the fuel may get stuck behind the clog. Consequently, you will have little or no fuel in the combustion chamber. If there is enough fuel in the chamber, your car may start, but it may take several tries. If the clog prevents the fuel from getting into the chamber, you’ll have a dead engine.
Misfiring/Rough Idling
Even if the engine starts, the continual fuel delivery into the engine will be impeded by the clog. Consequently, you may have a handful of cylinders that won’t fire when the spark plugs produce sparks. Your engine will cut out at each cylinder that cannot misfire. This misfiring, as it is called, will make the engine idle rough and unpredictable. Your engine may stall frequently.
Stalling/Performance Lag
Speaking of stalling, this is just one performance problem you will have if the fuel filter is clogged. You will also find it difficult to get your vehicle to pick up speed when you press down on the accelerator. In addition, the engine will not only misfire when you are sitting at an idle. It will also misfire while your vehicle is in motion, causing sputtering and jerking.
Malfunctioning Fuel Pump
Finally, it may seem strange but a clogged fuel filter can cause the fuel pump to malfunction. In fact, the clogged filter can kill the fuel pump prematurely. The reason why is that the fuel pump’s motor overworks itself in an effort to get the fuel into the engine. The clogged filter causes a tremendous amount of resistance and the fuel will stop flowing.
Unfortunately, as the fuel pump tries to push the fuel through the clog, the motor will overheat and start to whine. The hotter the motor gets the closer it will be to burning out. As such, the clogged fuel filter will not be your only concern. You may also need to replace the fuel pump.
We’ve got all of these repairs covered, so call us today for a service appointment.
