Fuel System Maintenance and Repair

The fuel system is made up of the fuel tank, pump, filter, and injectors or carburetor, and is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine as needed. Each component must perform flawlessly to achieve expected vehicle performance and reliability. Over time, an engine's performance can slowly diminish because of buildup, which clogs vital parts of the fuel system and causes reduced fuel efficiency and power.

The fuel injector is the last stop for fuel in your engine before it goes inside to the combustion chamber. It is basically an electrically operated gate that opens just long enough to meter the perfect amount of fuel to run the engine.

Carburetors were the usual method of fuel delivery for most vehicles up until the late 1980s. Most carburetors were manual non-electric devices that are used for mixing vaporized fuel with air to produce a combustible or explosive mixture for internal combustion engines. Carburetors have been mostly supplanted by electronic fuel injection.

The intake valve opens to allow the air/fuel mixture to be drawn into the combustion chamber. Deposits on the intake valves can restrict or change the flow of the air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. Fuel can stick to deposits on the intake valve and not enter the combustion chamber when needed. The right fuel system service can help reverse these effects and restore lost performance.

The piston travels up and down and converts the pressure from combustion into movement. A detergent cleaner can help remove or reduce deposits that have been shown to be effective in reducing or eliminating deposit-related drivability and performance loss.

The combustion chamber is where the burning of the air/fuel mixture happens. Deposits in the combustion chamber can affect heat transfer and air/fuel compression. Excess heat can cause premature ignition and knocking. Some vehicles contain knock sensors that are used to determine engine knock or pre- or post-detonation. With these sensors, the computer will detune the engine to eliminate this symptom, which has an adverse effect on performance. Fuel system deposits will cause knocking, which is why it is so important to keep your fuel system clean.

Fuel Injection Services

Dirt and carbon deposits build up in your car's fuel system. That's normal, everyday wear and tear. If you are experiencing any of the following signs, you might have excessive buildup in your fuel injection system:

• Poor acceleration or performance
• Reduced fuel mileage
• Stalling, hesitating or lurching
• Rough idling

A fuel injection service removes the unwanted buildup by cleaning your injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. The result – increased fuel mileage, a smooth-idling engine, and improved performance.

Ready to schedule a Fuel System Cleaning Service? Call or request an appointment online with Auto Select today.

Maintenance Matters